NIL

Closure at last for USC and college sports as NCAA House settlement is approved

Many vested parties may not like it, and it appears that various entities will go down kicking and screaming, but USC and the rest of the schools in the NCAA now know what is expected of them. For now, the judicial proceedings will no longer be drawn out. News came on Friday afternoon that Judge […]

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1 month ago

June 7, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Closure at last for USC and college sports as NCAA House settlement is approved

News came on Friday afternoon that Judge Claudia Wilken approved the hotly debated and discussed agreement between the NCAA plaintiffs and the institution itself. The update was initially released by Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger.

In short, the days of the traditional student-athlete are done. Those attending USC will very much still be part of the campus community and need to stay on track to graduate and pursue their academic interests. What has now been given the extensive green light is the ability for the athletes to be able to earn and monetize off their being nationally known and followed people.

Revenue sharing between the athletes and the schools themselves will be allowed. There is a cap based on the percentage of the overall revenue in place at 22%. Though, it must be said that this is optional for each school. Roster limitations are also going to be implemented now throughout collegiate sports, and there will be significant back payments issued to former athletes for lost NIL opportunities, also beginning July 1st of this year.

Only some fallout areas that USC will have to navigate

The Deloitte-run NIL clearinghouse, or ‘NIL Go,’ will now feature a prominent role in college sports. Any and all agreements between an athlete and an outside party will have to go through them for approval. ESPN’s Pete Thamel shared on X that the NIL GO portal will launch on June 11th of this year. Many suspect to see an uptick in transfer portal and NIL activity for this very reason as a type of last-minute scramble.

Although the article states:

“Contracts signed before the settlement approval and paid out before July 1 were not subject to the clearinghouse or cap,leading to a “mad dash” in the basketball and football portal.”

This suggests that the so-called ‘mad dash’ is yet to hit its full stride as of yet.

Implementing roster limitations, while some allowance for those being grandfathered in will be allowed, makes it difficult to see how walk-ons, an important part of college tradition, will be able to continue with this recent ruling.

At the moment, there may be more questions than answers, but at least now, everyone has a guideline and set time frames to begin planning around for the future of college sports.

NIL

Tony Vitello calls out SEC rival for ‘undercover offers’ to players not in transfer portal

Roster retention has become as difficult in college baseball as any sport out there. Coaches consistently see their rosters flip over from previous years. But when a program like Tennessee wants to keep you, it usually means another high-level school is in the market too. Turns out, some “undercover offers” are being handed out to […]

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23 minutes ago

July 9, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Roster retention has become as difficult in college baseball as any sport out there. Coaches consistently see their rosters flip over from previous years. But when a program like Tennessee wants to keep you, it usually means another high-level school is in the market too.

Turns out, some “undercover offers” are being handed out to Tennessee players despite never officially entering the NCAA transfer portal. Head coach Tony Vitello revealed as such on Wednesday when speaking on 99.1 THE Sports Animal in Knoxville. Concerning to hear however, the good news for Vols fans is that they have accepted those offers.

“There’s one school in our league that likes to make undercover offers to guys, and our two or three guys that were on the end of that have stayed strong,” Vitello said.

Vitello did not specify which SEC team he was talking about. Fans have begun to speculate on social media but unless Vitello himself decides to reveal the information, we will never know. But one thing is for sure — no conference in college baseball appears to be as competitive as the SEC.

Originally, the conversation started by discussing the guys Tennessee has going through the 2025 MLB Draft process. Both players who were on the 2025 roster and high school commits. Vitello could have some scrambling to do once the event is over, needing to fill a few holes.

Unsurprisingly, Tennessee remains active in the transfer portal itself. On3’s Pete Nakos dropped some intel on the Vols’ efforts on Tuesday, which you can find here.

More on Tennessee baseball entering 2026 season

Just over a year ago, Vitello brought Tennessee baseball to its highest ever point. Going to Omaha was a massive success but winning the national championship had the Vols on a different level. The first one in program history, everyone is once again searching for that high.

A nice run to the Super Regionals took place before running into another SEC opponent. Arkansas took down Tennessee for their own trip to the College World Series. Not many Super Regionals were as competitive as that one, even if the Razorbacks advanced in two games.

Vitello is now working to build a squad capable of competing in the SEC. Performing well in the league is usually a good indicator for how well the postseason will fare. But as usual, roster management can be a difficult task, even for players presumably locked up.

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NIL

Idaho Football Kick Times Announced for 2025 Season

Story Links FARMINGTON, Utah – With the college football season kicking off in just over 50 days, the Big Sky Conference and its television partners have announced kickoff times for the 2025 season. With the unveiling of kick times, the Idaho Vandals learned their times for eight of their games. The Vandals open […]

Published

46 minutes ago

July 9, 2025

Your Sports Nation

FARMINGTON, Utah – With the college football season kicking off in just over 50 days, the Big Sky Conference and its television partners have announced kickoff times for the 2025 season. With the unveiling of kick times, the Idaho Vandals learned their times for eight of their games.

The Vandals open their 2025 season in the national spotlight as they head across the Palouse to play Washington State on The CW on Saturday, August 30. Idaho is featured on national television in a conference-leading three times, with its game against Montana on ESPN Networks – the official time and network to be announced later – and in a contest against Northern Arizona on ESPN 2.

Idaho’s full 2025 schedule is included below and can be seen here. The schedule graphic, in which the Vandals recreated the iconic photo with the airplane, can be seen here.

2025 Idaho Football Schedule:

(All games are on Saturdays unless specified otherwise)

Aug. 30: at Washington State, 7 p.m., The CW

Sept. 6: vs. St. Thomas, 1 p.m., SWX and ESPN+

Sept. 13: vs. Utah Tech, 1 p.m., SWX and ESPN+

Sept. 20: at San Jose State, 2 p.m., Mountain West Network

Sept. 27: at Montana, TBA, ESPN Networks

Oct. 11: vs. Northern Colorado, 2 p.m., SWX and ESPN+

Oct. 18: at Eastern Washington, 4 p.m., SWX and ESPN+

Oct. 25: vs. Portland State, 1 p.m., SWX and ESPN+

Oct. 31: at Northern Arizona, 7:30 p.m., ESPN 2

Nov. 8: vs. UC Davis, 4 p.m., SWX and ESPN+

Nov. 15: at Sacramento State, 6 p.m., ESPN+

Nov. 22: vs. Idaho State, 1 p.m., SWX and ESPN+

SCHEDULE NOTES
This is the third consecutive season in which Idaho will host at least six games in the P1FCU Kibbie Dome. In 2023, the Vandals hosted two playoff games in the Dome, and in 2024, Idaho was the host site for its second-round playoff game against Lehigh. This season, the Vandals host six regular-season games in Moscow.

Last season, Idaho went a flawless 6-0 in Moscow.

SPECIAL THANKS

Idaho Athletics thanks Rob and Carly Schoepflin and their family for the use of their runway, plane, and property to re-invent its legendary photoshoot. The Vandals also thank Seth Denton, who was the pilot during the most recent version of the picture. It wouldn’t have been possible to do without their effort, cooperation, and hard work.

SOCIAL MEDIA:  Stay up to date with everything happening with the Vandals by following them on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

TICKETS: Season tickets and mini plans can be purchased here or by calling the Idaho ticket office at (208)885-6466.

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NIL

AJ Dybantsa’s Fanatics deal helps boost $4.1 million NIL valuation

This season, the BYU basketball program will likely have more eyes on it than usual thanks to the presence of star freshman AJ Dybantsa. Dybantsa is widely expected to be one of the, if not the first name off of the board in next June’s NBA Draft, but not before a college season at BYU […]

Published

1 hour ago

July 9, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Although he is set to cash in big-time once he gets to the NBA, Dybantsa is already able to make some serious bread at the college level thanks to the sport’s new NIL (name, image, and likeness) rules, and recently, some new information was unearthed on some commitments that Dybantsa has already made in that department.

“Dybantsa has signed a multi-year partnership with Fanatics and Fanatics Collectibles,” reported Nick Schultz of On3 Sports.

“We’re excited to announce that we’ve signed BYU star AJ Dybantsa to an exclusive trading card & memorabilia deal,” said the company in a statement on their account on X, formerly Twitter.

Schultz also reported that the partnership will be “focused on trading cards and memorabilia, (and) will also continue beyond his college career once he eventually heads to the NBA.”

Dybantsa’s current NIL valuation is at $4.1 million.

Dybantsa essentially checks every box of what teams are looking for in the modern NBA. At 6’9″, he has an NBA-ready frame to be an elite wing at the next level, and has all of the tools to be an elite defender the second he gets to the league.

He also has immense athleticism, a solid handle, and a silky-smooth jumper that have garnered comparisons to players like Paul George and other NBA stars.

Before all of that, though, Dybantsa will have a chance to push his draft stock even higher (if that’s possible) during this year with BYU, where the team will have the national spotlight thanks to his arrival.

Jackson Stone is a sports journalist for ClutchPoints with expertise in covering the NBA, NFL, and CAA Football. The Mercer University senior from Atlanta is on track to graduate with a BA in communications, and he has bylines at FanSided and USA Today Sports’ Georgia athletics website.

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NIL

Roger Federer Becomes Billionaire Through Strategic Investments

Roger Federer, the legendary tennis player, has joined the ranks of the world’s billionaires, with an estimated net worth of $1.3 billion. This impressive figure is not solely attributable to his remarkable achievements on the court, where he has won 20 Grand Slam titles and earned $130.6 million in prize money over his 24-year career. […]

Published

1 hour ago

July 9, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Roger Federer Becomes Billionaire Through Strategic Investments

Federer’s off-court deals have been a major contributor to his financial success. His long-term partnerships with luxury brands such as Rolex and Mercedes-Benz have generated millions of dollars. For instance, his annual income from Rolex is reported to be $8 million, and from Mercedes-Benz, $5 million. Additionally, his total earnings from Lindt amount to $20 million. These partnerships have not only enhanced his brand but also provided a steady stream of income.

One of Federer’s most lucrative decisions was parting ways with Nike in 2018 and securing a $300 million partnership with Uniqlo, paid out over 10 years. This move has proven to be highly beneficial, further solidifying his financial standing. However, it is his investment in the Swiss shoe company On that has yielded the most significant returns. In 2019, Federer bought a 3% stake in On after his wife and friends expressed their enthusiasm for the brand. The company’s subsequent rise in popularity, particularly in the U.S., has led to an estimated valuation of $17 billion, making Federer’s stake worth at least $500 million. This investment has outperformed his earnings from winning 20 Grand Slams, underscoring the importance of diversifying income streams and making strategic investments.

Federer’s financial success is a testament to his business acumen and ability to identify lucrative opportunities. His journey to becoming a billionaire serves as an inspiration for athletes and investors alike, demonstrating the potential for financial growth through smart investments. Beyond his financial achievements, Federer has also used his platform to encourage others to seek fulfillment beyond their professional pursuits. In a commencement address at Dartmouth College, he advised graduates to look beyond their bubbles and make a difference in the world, emphasizing that life is much bigger than any single endeavor.

Federer’s story is part of a broader trend where athletes are leveraging their popularity to secure lucrative brand deals and investments. This trend is likely to continue, with more athletes joining the ranks of the ultra-rich. The changes in name, image, and likeness (NIL) rules for student-athletes have made it easier for young athletes to secure multi-million-dollar deals, further fueling this trend. However, there are concerns that the focus on making money may overshadow the enjoyment of the game. Multimillionaire Shaquille O’Neal has expressed his belief that athletes should prioritize their commitment to their teams and schools, rather than constantly seeking the best financial deals.

NIL

New transfer portal strikes Virginia Tech football as freshman WR leaves program

One thing that has been consistent in recent years with Virginia Tech football and recruiting has been the pipeline between Blacksburg and Green Run High School. The connection that Brent Pry built has helped land a number of the prospects out of the Virginia Beach area. In February of 2024, the Hokies picked up a […]

Published

2 hours ago

July 9, 2025

Your Sports Nation

New transfer portal strikes Virginia Tech football as freshman WR leaves program

In February of 2024, the Hokies picked up a pair of commitments on the same day from Green Run products Jayden Anderson and Knahlij Harrell. The stay at Virginia Tech was a short one after Anderson is reportedly hitting the transfer portal, according to Pete Nakos on On3 Sports.

NEW: Virginia Tech WR Jayden Anderson has entered the NCAA transfer portal, @PeteNakos_ reports.https://t.co/hr69cwwOMf pic.twitter.com/ua7HzmM8dv

— Transfer Portal (@TransferPortal_) July 9, 2025

Virginia Tech freshman WR Jaydne Anderson enters transfer portal

You might be thinking, “The transfer portal in July?” Yes, the transfer portal in July. The NCAA Committee on Legislative Relief announced that it will issue a one-time waiver to allow Division I athletes whose programs are placed on the “Designated Student-Athlete” list to enter the transfer portal between July 7 through Aug. 5. Schools had until July 6 to assign the DSAs allowed to enter the portal. Anderson is taking advantage of it.

Virginia Tech has a slew of receivers that will be looking to crack the lineup for the 2025 season, and Anderson, a true freshman, was not going to see the field with the potential depth ahead of him. First-year offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery has four-star freshmen wide receivers Shamarius Peterkin and Micah Matthews, along with Cameron Spraks and freshman athlete Luke Stuewe, also at the position.

The 5-foot-11, 162-pound Anderson will have four years of eligibility remaining at whichever school he ends up at. He enrolled this summer and, according to Evan Watkins of 247Sports, Anderson left the program and had been back home, so this official announcement was no surprise, but being just a true freshman, it’s a tough loss before he even got a fall practice under his belt.

NIL

BYU star AJ Dybantsa adds historic Fanatics deal to $4.1 million NIL valuation

BYU incoming freshman AJ Dybantsa hasn’t stepped foot on a college basketball court yet, but is already one of the most prolific NIL earners in the country. From Nike to Red Bull, the projected top 2026 NBA Draft pick is building a major brand portfolio and has now added an exclusive trading card and memorabilia […]

Published

2 hours ago

July 9, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Fanatics and Fanatics Collectibles have announced they have signed an exclusive deal with Dybantsa – one of their most significant NIL partnerships to date – a multi-year contract that starts immediately and goes beyond his collegiate career.

The partnership is focused on trading cards and memorabilia, including autographs, game-used jerseys, inscriptions and Dybantsa’s inclusion in Fanatics brand marketing campaigns. He was already featured in Fanatics Collectibles’ McDonald’s All-American Game deal and previous products during his illustrious high school career.

Fanatics and Topps revealed their latest partner via a hype video shot on mountains of the Wasatch Range in Provo, Utah, Dybantsa’s future home at BYU.

“I remember seeing LeBron James, Michael Jordan and those type of guys on trading cards,” Dybantsa said in the announcement video. “When I see my face on a card, it’s going to be a surreal feeling. I know where I belong.”

According to Fanatics, Dybantsa will next be featured in a variety of upcoming products, such as Bowman U NOW – a program that celebrates key moments in collegiate sports – and other Bowman offerings.

Dybantsa joins recent NIL stars JuJu Watkins of USC, Cooper Flagg formerly of Duke and now the Dallas Mavericks and Caitlin Clark formerly of Iowa and now the Indiana Fever. He currently boasts a $4.1 million NIL valuation via On3.

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