Connect with us
https://yoursportsnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/call-to-1.png

NIL

Amid North Carolina NIL Spending Rumors, Basketball HC Hubert Davis Faces Huge Expectations

A recent report from Inside Carolina set off alarm bells among college basketball fans when it claimed that North Carolina had allocated an astonishing $14 million to its basketball program. Even considering the NCAA’s new reality — full of massive NIL contracts, transfer portal decisions, and the upcoming result of the House vs. NCAA lawsuit […]

Published

on


A recent report from Inside Carolina set off alarm bells among college basketball fans when it claimed that North Carolina had allocated an astonishing $14 million to its basketball program.

Even considering the NCAA’s new reality — full of massive NIL contracts, transfer portal decisions, and the upcoming result of the House vs. NCAA lawsuit — this sum far exceeds what many expected.

Basketball Insider Says 2025 is the “Ultimate ‘No Excuse’ Year for Hubert Davis”

In the Inside Carolina reports, writer Greg Barnes explained that multiple sources have confirmed that the North Carolina Tar Heels have spent over $14 million in NIL deals for next basketball season.

College basketball analyst Tim Donnelly was surprised by the report. The host of “The Drive” on 99.9 The Fan, he stated that Davis is at a crucial moment in his leadership of the Tar Heels.

“This is the ultimate ‘no excuse’ year for Hubert Davis,” Donnelly explained. “This is the ultimate no-excuse year for the brain trust that is running UNC basketball right now.”

He continued, “With great money comes great responsibility,” he added. “If you give a coach $14 million to put together a roster and the roster is not stellar at the end of the year, you look at that coach and you go, ‘I don’t know if I’m ready to give you $14 million again.’ Right?”

Donnelly shared his vision for the future of Davis and his team after receiving $14 million.

“If you give a coach $14 million and they come back the next year and say, ‘Hey, I need another 14, $15 million,’ ‘Hey, what’d you spend the last 14 on?’”

“You better have a trophy, you better have something worth, you better have a long run into the NCAA tournament, cuz if not, I’m not giving you more money… You better win with $14 million, is what I’m saying, you better win with $14 million.”

RELATED: Analysts ‘Miffed’, Fans ‘Betrayed’ by Ven-Allen Lubin’s Decision to Transfer from North Carolina to NC State

According to the report, the $14 million sum is nearly triple what UNC Basketball spent last season.

The report also states that the expenditure includes adding six new players, including Montenegrin guard Luka Bogavac, guards Kyan Evans and Jonathan Powell, and center Henri Veesaar.

While massive NIL deals aren’t a new phenomenon in the world of college sports, this investment into Carolina basketball is a big move, considering they are also seemingly going “all in” on Bill Belichick and the football team.

College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college footballmen’s college basketballwomen’s college basketball, and college baseball!



Link

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

NIL

Ruling on NIL collectives may reshape college sports scene

Valid businesses would only be allowed to make payments to student athletes Boise State fullback Tyler Crowe (33) celebrates his touchdown against Penn State during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football CFP quarterfinal game, Dec. 31 in Glendale, Arizona. (Ross D. Franklin/The Associated Press) ALBUQUERQUE – A new enforcement agency in […]

Published

on


Valid businesses would only be allowed to make payments to student athletes

Boise State fullback Tyler Crowe (33) celebrates his touchdown against Penn State during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football CFP quarterfinal game, Dec. 31 in Glendale, Arizona. (Ross D. Franklin/The Associated Press)

ALBUQUERQUE – A new enforcement agency in college sports has drawn a firm line regarding the regulation of name, image, and likeness (NIL) payments to athletes – a move that could dismantle how many school-affiliated collectives currently operate.

Last week, the College Sports Commission issued new guidance that significantly narrows what qualifies as a “valid business purpose” for NIL deals. The announcement came just days after the $2.8 billion House v. NCAA settlement took effect on July 1, establishing a clearinghouse called NIL Go to review third-party deals exceeding $600.

The goal is to prevent schools from circumventing the new $20.5 million revenue-sharing cap by routing funds through booster-backed collectives.

According to the CSC, any entity whose primary function is paying athletes – rather than offering legitimate goods or services to the public – fails to meet NIL Go’s standards. This includes collectives that host events or sell merchandise primarily to fund player payments. Even if these events are open to the public or involve promotional efforts, the CSC says they still don’t qualify.

The ruling has sent shock waves through the NIL ecosystem. In the four years since NIL deals became legal, school-affiliated collectives have funneled hundreds of millions of dollars into athlete compensation – often functioning as unofficial arms of athletic departments. These groups have paid athletes for appearances, endorsements, and social media promotions. But with the CSC now rejecting most of these deals, that model appears to be collapsing.

A memo sent to Division I athletic directors clarified the new standard: agreements with collectives primarily created to pay athletes or benefit specific schools will no longer be approved. While external NIL deals are still allowed, they must be with companies offering real products or services to the general public and must reflect fair market value.

The backlash was immediate. The Collective Association, which represents NIL collectives nationwide, called the CSC’s interpretation “misguided,” arguing it ignores both legal precedent and the economic realities of college athletics. The group claimed collectives are essential to athlete support and are being unfairly targeted.

Adding to the frustration, collective leaders like Dalton K. Forsythe of Utah State’s Blue A Collective reported widespread rejections of submitted NIL deals. “Nearly 100% of collective-backed NIL deals are being denied,” Forsythe posted on X, citing inconsistent standards and poor communication from NIL Go.

Mountain West Conference emblem is attached to a field marker along with the emblem of Colorado State during an NCAA college football game between Colorado and Colorado State, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Fort Collins, Colorado (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

Despite the chaos, NIL Go has approved over 1,500 deals since launching in June, ranging in value from hundreds to millions of dollars. More than 12,000 athletes and 1,100 institutions are already registered. However, most approved transactions have involved athletes and legitimate businesses – not donor collectives.

Ultimately, the CSC has made clear that the future of NIL lies in traditional sponsorships and commercial endorsements, not donor-funded payouts. Whether courts will uphold these rules – or whether athletes will challenge them on antitrust grounds – remains to be seen. For now, though, the days of collectives writing large checks behind the scenes may be coming to an end.

The College Sports Commission’s new enforcement guidance is expected to significantly impact the Mountain West Conference (MWC), where many schools have relied on donor-driven collectives to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Potential Fallout for Mountain West Schools

This shift could hit programs like Boise State, Fresno State, San Diego State, and Utah State particularly hard. These schools have developed strong football reputations but lack the deep financial backing of Big Ten or SEC institutions.

Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty celebrates after winning the offensive player of the game for the Mountain West Championship NCAA college football game against UNLV, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)

Boise State has relied on a passionate fan base and collective support to maintain its status as a Group of Five powerhouse. Without that funding source, Boise could fall behind in the NIL arms race.

Utah State’s Blue A Collective is already feeling the pressure. Director Dalton Forsythe reports that nearly all of their NIL submissions are being rejected under the new rules, calling the standards “unclear and unrealistic.”

Fresno State and San Diego State have used competitive NIL offers to retain local talent, but that ability may diminish without collective-based funding, making it harder to keep players from transferring out.

As the NIL landscape undergoes its most dramatic shift yet, the Mountain West Conference finds itself at a crossroads.

The new rules may level the playing field in theory, but in practice, they risk sidelining programs that have used creativity and community support to stay relevant.

With traditional collectives on the chopping block and commercial partnerships harder to come by in smaller markets, MWC schools must now adapt quickly – or risk falling further behind in a system increasingly tilted toward the power conferences.

The next chapter in college athletics will be defined not just by talent on the field, but by who can navigate the off-field rules best.

Roger Holien is a contributor for SB Nation.com and Mountain West Connection





Link

Continue Reading

NIL

Players Era 2025: Schedule announced for NIL-driven Players Era Men’s Championship

Las Vegas will once again be the place to be during Feast Week this college basketball season. Coined “November Mania,” the Players Era Men’s Championship announced its schedule for the newly expanded 18-team men’s basketball NIL multi-team event in November in Las Vegas on July 14, and to no surprise, it’s quite loaded. Advertisement Then […]

Published

on


Las Vegas will once again be the place to be during Feast Week this college basketball season.

Coined “November Mania,” the Players Era Men’s Championship announced its schedule for the newly expanded 18-team men’s basketball NIL multi-team event in November in Las Vegas on July 14, and to no surprise, it’s quite loaded.

Advertisement

Then called the Players Era Festival, the NIL-driven event by storm last season and has quickly become a must-play event with NCAA Tournament caliber teams, so much so that teams paid their way out of already scheduled multi-team events to participate in it last season.

Headlining the first two days of competition in Las Vegas is Gonzaga vs. Alabama on Wednesday, Nov. 25. Preceding the Bulldogs and Crimson Tide on Nov. 25 is St. John’s vs. Iowa State, two teams that are notoriously known for their defense under Rick Pitino and T.J. Otzelberger.

REQURIED READING: College basketball too-early Top 25 rankings after transfer portal, NBA draft

Advertisement

Day 2 of the 2025 Players Era Men’s Championship field is headlined by an Elite Eight rematch of Houston vs. Tennessee and then Iowa State vs. Creighton, two teams that were already scheduled to meet in October for an exhibition.

The 2025 Players Era Men’s Championship field includes 14 teams that made the NCAA Tournament last season, and nine teams — Auburn, Houston, St. John’s, Alabama, Iowa State, Maryland, Oregon and Michigan — that were seeded at least a five seed or higher in the field of 68. Eleven teams that appear in the USA TODAY Sports too-early top 25 poll will also compete in Las Vegas.

The four-day multi-team event will take place in Las Vegas at MGM Grand Garden Arena and Michelob Ultra Arena from Monday, Nov. 24 through Thursday, Nov. 27 with the championship game taking place on Wednesday, Nov. 26.

There will also be a four-team Players Era Women’s Championship featuring South Carolina, UCLA, Texas and Duke that will take place Wednesday, Nov. 26 and Thursday, Nov. 27 in Las Vegas.

Advertisement

Here’s what to know from the July 14 announcement of the 2025 Players Era Men’s Championship:

Players Era Championship bracket 2025

The returning teams to the Players Era Festival include Alabama, Houston, Rutgers, Notre Dame, Oregon, San Diego State and Creighton. The only team that isn’t returning to the Players Era Championship from last year’s field, which Oregon won, is Texas A&M. The Aggies were replaced in the field by Maryland, which hired away Buzz Williams from Texas A&M this offseason.

Here’s a full breakdown of who is competing in the 2025 Players Era Men’s Championship:

Players Era Festival 2025 schedule

Here’s a look at schedule for the 2025 Players Era Men’s Championship, which will take place MGM Grand Garden Arena and Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas:

Advertisement

Monday, Nov. 24

  • Rutgers vs. Tennessee | 1 p.m. ET

  • Creighton vs. Baylor | 2 p.m. ET

  • Kansas vs. Notre Dame | 3:30 p.m. ET

  • St. John’s vs. Iowa State | 4:30 p.m. ET

  • Houston vs. Syracuse | 6 p.m. ET

  • Auburn vs. Oregon | 8 p.m. ET

  • Gonzaga vs. Alabama | 9:30 p.m. ET

  • Michigan vs. San Diego State | 10:30 p.m. ET

  • UNLV vs. Maryland | Midnight ET

Tuesday, Nov. 25

  • Rutgers vs. Notre Dame | 1 p.m. ET

  • Iowa State vs. Creighton | 2 p.m. ET

  • Kansas vs. Syracuse | 3:30 p.m. ET

  • St. John’s vs. Baylor | 4:30 p.m. ET

  • Houston vs. Tennessee | 6 p.m. ET

  • Michigan vs. Auburn | 8:30 p.m. ET

  • Gonzaga vs. Maryland | 9:30 p.m. ET

  • Oregon vs. San Diego State | 11 p.m. ET

  • UNLV vs. Alabama | Midnight ET

Wednesday, Nov. 26

  • Third Place Game: 7 p.m. ET

  • Championship Game: 9:30 p.m. ET

Note: For those that didn’t make the championship or third place game on Wednesday, November 26, they will play in consolation games across Wednesday, November 26 and Thursday, November 27 in Las Vegas

What is the Players Era Championshop?

The Players Era Championship is a one-of-a-kind multi-team event that takes place during “Feast Week” of the college basketball season in November, during Thanksgiving week. Debuted during the 2024-25 season with an eight-team field, The Players Era Championship is a NIL-driven multi-team event with some of the best college basketball teams in the country.

Advertisement

Each team will receive $1 million for participating in the event, while players and teams will have the opportunity to earn more NIL while in Las Vegas. The champion of the Players Era Championship will win an additional $1 million in NIL earnings as well. Noted by CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander, the total pot for the 2025 Players Era Championship will be north of $20 million in NIL-related earnings — quite the expensive multi-team event and regular season showcase event.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Players Era Men’s Championship full field, schedule announced



Link

Continue Reading

NIL

Tip times, matchups for NIL-driven college basketball tournament revealed

The Players Era Festival, an NIL-driven college basketball multi-team event set to feature Gonzaga and 17 other programs in its field this fall, has released the 20-game schedule for the 2025 edition from Las Vegas. The Players Era debuted this past November with eight teams competing in the Thanksgiving week tournament: Houston, Alabama, Rutgers, Notre […]

Published

on


The Players Era Festival, an NIL-driven college basketball multi-team event set to feature Gonzaga and 17 other programs in its field this fall, has released the 20-game schedule for the 2025 edition from Las Vegas.

The Players Era debuted this past November with eight teams competing in the Thanksgiving week tournament: Houston, Alabama, Rutgers, Notre Dame, Creighton, Oregon, Texas A&M and San Diego State (Oregon beat Alabama in the championship round). In addition to those eight, the following 10 teams join the 2025 field: Auburn, Baylor, Gonzaga, Iowa State, Kansas, Michigan, St. John’s, Syracuse, Tennessee and UNLV.

The Bulldogs drew Alabama for their first-round matchup, which has been set for Nov. 24 at 6:30 p.m. PST on TNT. The Zags will take on Maryland the next day at the same time, while being broadcast on TruTV. CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander first reported the matchups earlier this month.

Though the exact locations weren’t disclosed, each contest has been confirmed for either Michelob Ultra Arena or MGM Grand Garden Arena. If the Zags win both matchups out of the gate, they’ll advance to the championship round set for Nov. 26 at 6:30 p.m. In the likely event that more than two teams go 2-0 to start, point differential, total points scored and points allowed will serve as tiebreakers. The third-place game is the same day at 4 p.m. PST.

Every participating team is assured $1 million, with an additional $1 million awarded to the winner of Players Era. The pay structure is expected to work in a similar manner this year, with each school directly receiving compensation from event organizers, though how the teams divvy up the money to their players will be case-by-case.

With the House v. NCAA settlement reaching final approval, schools will be allowed to share up to $20.5 million per year in revenue with their student-athletes. Many schools won’t be able to reach that number, and some are planning to put portions of Players Era money into their overall rev-share cap, per Norlander.

According to The Field of 68, the team that finishes in second place will receive $500,000; third place will earn $300,000 and fourth will net $200,000.

Gonzaga’s nonconference schedule includes seven opponents that qualified for the 2025 NCAA Tournament: Oklahoma (Nov. 8 at Spokane Arena), Creighton (Nov. 11 at the Kennel), Kentucky (Dec. 5 in Nashville, Tennessee), UCLA (Dec. 13 in Seattle), Baylor (TBD), Alabama (Nov. 24) and Maryland (Nov. 25). Additionally, those seven teams makeJon Rothstein’s top 45 rankings of the offseason.

All times PST

Monday, Nov. 24
Tennessee vs. Rutgers, 10 a.m.
Baylor vs. Creighton, 11 a.m. 
Kansas vs. Notre Dame, 12:30 p.m. 
St. John’s vs. Iowa State, 1:30 p.m. 
Houston vs. Syracuse, 3 p.m. 
Oregon vs. Auburn, 5 p.m. 
Alabama vs. Gonzaga, 6:30 p.m. 
Michigan vs. San Diego State, 7:30 p.m. 
Maryland vs. UNLV, 9 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 25
Rutgers vs. Notre Dame, 10 a.m.
Iowa State vs. Creighton, 11:30 a.m. 
Kansas vs. Syracuse, 12:30 p.m 
St. John’s vs. Baylor, 2 p.m. 
Houston vs. Tennessee, 3 p.m. 
Michigan vs. Auburn, 5:30 p.m. 
Gonzaga vs. Maryland, 6:30 p.m. 
Oregon vs. San Diego State, 8 p.m. 
Alabama vs. UNLV, 9 p.m. 

Wednesday, Nov. 26
Third-place game, 4 p.m. PST
Championship game, 6:30 p.m. PST

MORE GONZAGA NEWS & ANALYSIS





Link

Continue Reading

NIL

Transfer Portal Softball Tracker – Cu Independent

Every year after the softball season ends, lots of players decide to leave their current teams and look for new ones. Maybe your team’s best pitcher will join a rival. Or maybe the hitter who gave you trouble last season might become your new teammate. Thanks to big NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals and […]

Published

on


Every year after the softball season ends, lots of players decide to leave their current teams and look for new ones.

Maybe your team’s best pitcher will join a rival. Or maybe the hitter who gave you trouble last season might become your new teammate.

Thanks to big NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals and players moving closer to home, the transfer portal has turned softball into a busy, year-round event.

Here, we will share the biggest player moves, top names still available, and how this new system is changing the way college softball operates.

What is the Transfer Portal?

The NCAA Transfer Portal, launched in October 2018, has revolutionized the process by which student-athletes transfer to a new school.

For softball players, it serves as a centralized database where athletes can enter their information and make themselves available to other programs.

The process works in several key steps:

  • A player notifies their school’s compliance office of their intention to transfer.
  • The school enters the player’s information into the portal within two business days.
  • Once in the portal, coaches from other schools can contact the player.
  • The player can then evaluate opportunities and commit to a new program.

As of April 2024, significant rule changes have made transferring more accessible than ever.

The NCAA has eliminated restrictions on the number of transfers academically eligible athletes can make during their college careers, removing the requirement to sit out a year for multiple transfers.

For softball specifically, the transfer windows for the 2025-2026 season will open after the regular season and last 30 days. Graduate transfers can enter the portal at any time.

Latest Transfer Portal Listings

Here are some of the most notable players currently in the 2025 softball transfer portal:

Player Name Position School Notable Achievements
Maya Johnson Pitcher Belmont 2024 All-American, looking for a Power Five opportunity
Desirae Spearman Pitcher New Mexico State Conference USA Player of the Year, in high demand
Arianna Rodi Infielder UMass Power hitter with two years of eligibility left
Ruby Meylan Pitcher Washington Former Pac-12 Freshman of the Year
NiJaree Canady Pitcher Stanford National Player of the Year finalist

Recent Transfer Portal Commitments

Several major commitments have already shaped the 2025 softball landscape:

  • CeCe Cellura to LSU: The former San Diego State pitcher committed to the Tigers on May 26, 2025, bringing elite talent to an SEC powerhouse.
  • Ella Harrison to Auburn: Another pitcher on the move, Harrison leaves Rutgers to join the competitive SEC at Auburn, also committing on May 26, 2025.
  • New Mexico State’s Portal Success: The Aggies have been particularly active, securing nine incoming transfers to bolster their roster after a 30-win 2024 campaign.

These moves highlight how programs are increasingly relying on transfers to fill immediate needs rather than waiting for freshman development.

The immediacy of impact has made transfer recruiting a top priority for coaching staffs across the nation.

Rising Programs to Watch Out!

Rising Programs to Watch Out!
Rising Programs to Watch Out!

Several college softball programs have made strategic moves in the transfer portal, utilizing it to increase their competitiveness and improve their performance.

  • Texas Tech made a significant splash by landing Ni’Jaree Canady, considered one of the nation’s top pitchers, with a stellar 0.73 ERA and 337 strikeouts last season, which immediately positions the Red Raiders as a serious contender.
  • Nebraska, although not historically a softball powerhouse, has proven its ability to attract top talent through the transfer portal, helping to improve the program’s status.
  • Oklahoma State, with a series of key power-conference transfers, including Ruby Meylan, is setting itself up as a new standard in the Big 12, showcasing the potential of the transfer portal to take a team from good to great.

These programs highlight how strategic portal use can accelerate rebuilding and increase a team’s performance.

Resources for Tracking Transfer Portal Activity

If you want to stay up-to-date, here are some of the best places for real-time transfer news:

For more details, click here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are There Deadlines for Entering the Softball Transfer Portal?

Yes. There are sport-specific windows when athletes can enter the portal. Graduate transfers have more flexibility and can join at any time, but undergraduates must follow the designated transfer window for their sport.

Do Transfer Rules Differ Between NCAA Divisions?

Yes, while the general process is similar, some details, such as academic standards and scholarship rules, can vary between Division I, II, and III.



Link

Continue Reading

NIL

Johnny Manziel thinks he would have stayed in college over the NFL ‘no matter what’ with NIL

Johnny Manziel truly believes he would’ve stayed in college football at Texas A&M in the NIL era, rather than go to the NFL as early as he did. Following two years as a starter, Manziel declared for the NFL Draft and was a first round pick by the Cleveland Browns in 2014. However, his NFL […]

Published

on


Johnny Manziel truly believes he would’ve stayed in college football at Texas A&M in the NIL era, rather than go to the NFL as early as he did. Following two years as a starter, Manziel declared for the NFL Draft and was a first round pick by the Cleveland Browns in 2014.

However, his NFL career quickly flamed out and he had stints in the CFL a few years later, as well as Fan Controlled Football, an arena league. But, the former Heisman Trophy winner has been open and honest about his post-collegiate struggles on and off the field but has his moments where it’s fun to play the hypothetical game.

Just imagine Manziel, at the peak of his collegiate powers, rolling in the NIL dollars. And then coming back to Texas A&M on top of it? Oh man.

“I mean, I think no matter what, being in the NIL era, if that would have, you know, been the equivalent of 2013, I would have stayed no matter what,” Manziel said on Always College Football. “Just because, you know, a couple million bucks in College Station goes a really, really long way. And, you go to the NFL, or a first round pick, you know, you sign for $10 million or whatever it is, you know, that’s the two years that I had remaining at Texas A&M, to be able to make (that) through NIL. So I think, for me, when I think back about it now, I definitely, if there would have been any real money involved, I definitely would have stayed no matter what.”

This isn’t the first time Manziel alluded to more time in College Station. He spoke to fellow Heisman winner Matt Leinart about the topic back in December with NIL being such commonplace across college athletics.

“Yeah, I think so, just because, I mean, you know, you get into your rookie contract if you’re not taken  high enough, I mean, you know, I could have stayed two more years in college and probably made what I made throughout the four years of your NFL deal for the most part,” Manziel said. “So I think it would have given me the opportunity to still be at a place today and then like that, be able to make money and be able to, you know, still continue to go play the college football life. It’s tough for me looking back, having left two years of eligibility on a table.”

Manziel burst onto the college football scene in 2012 when he became the first freshman to ever win the Heisman Trophy. That year, he threw for 3,706 yards and 26 touchdowns to help the Aggies to an 11-2 record. 

Along the way, he set multiple records, including one against Arkansas when he had 557 yards of total offense. That broke Archie Manning’s record, and Manziel broke his own mark just two games later with 576 yards of offense in a single game. As a redshirt sophomore in 2013, Manziel threw for 4,114 yards and 37 touchdowns as he finished fifth in the Heisman voting.



Link

Continue Reading

NIL

Vanderbilt football coach on revenue sharing vs NIL

Martel Hight will play both ways in 2025: Clark Lea Here’s what Clark Lea said about Martel Hight’s potential as a two-way player for Vanderbilt football in 2025. ATLANTA – Just a few years after NIL and instant eligibility for transfers upended the college football world, programs must adjust again. The recent House settlement implemented […]

Published

on


play

ATLANTA – Just a few years after NIL and instant eligibility for transfers upended the college football world, programs must adjust again.

The recent House settlement implemented revenue sharing, where schools pay players directly rather than them signing contracts with a collective. There’s a cap on how much revenue sharing money schools can give out, split across all sports. NIL deals can still exist, but they must go through a clearinghouse run by Deloitte called NIL Go.

On top of that, football teams can give out scholarships to anyone on their roster, but rosters will be capped at 105. Some players, called Designated Student Athletes, can be grandfathered in during the first few years of the roster limits if they were previously on the team.

Vanderbilt football coach Clark Lea was slow to adapt to the original NIL and transfer rules, but he believes he’s better prepared this time around. If anything, he said, the new rules make roster-building more straightforward.

“I don’t want to say it’s a seamless transition, because it’s a transition,” Lea said in a session with local media at SEC media days on July 14. “We’re going from contracts written through a collective to now having those as part of the revenue share salary cap. And so we have to transition to those contracts in a way that keeps up moving without skipping a beat.

” … There is no room for a team in our league that’s not fully participating. From there, it becomes, how do we engage the Nashville community to go beyond the revenue share? And I’m excited to explore all those things to better position us for where the game is headed.”

To engage the Nashville community, Lea said he saw opportunities for partnerships with local businesses that could sign Vanderbilt players to NIL deals above the revenue-sharing cap. Lea said he was not directly involved with those conversations, as he was better off focusing on football, but that other parts of the department were focused on taking advantage of those opportunities.

The Commodores have a higher profile going into 2025 than they’ve had in a while with returning quarterback Diego Pavia and tight end Eli Stowers, plus several other good players. Martel Hight could play offense, defense and special teams.

But there are still questions abounding. NIL Go has rejected several NIL deals, leaving teams uncertain about the level of enforcement that will take place.

Lea and Vanderbilt, like everyone else, will have to figure out those things as they go.

Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on X @aria_gerson.





Link

Continue Reading

Most Viewed Posts

Trending