The NCAA spent decades making sure student-athletes weren’t allowed to make a single penny off of their name, image, and likeness, but that changed in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling that ushered in the NIL Era in 2021. A lot of fans have had issues with the impact that pivot has had on […]
The NCAA spent decades making sure student-athletes weren’t allowed to make a single penny off of their name, image, and likeness, but that changed in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling that ushered in the NIL Era in 2021. A lot of fans have had issues with the impact that pivot has had on the landscape of college sports, but there are more than a few sponsorship deals you have to respect based on how much of a no-brainer they were.
iStockphoto / SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK
A lot of schools have harnessed NIL deals and the collectives that hand them out to create an environment where players are essentially paid to play without having to do too much in return, but there are also plenty of companies and brands that have taken advantage of the chance to launch some wildly organic partnerships.
That includes a number of NIL sponsorships that stemmed from a unique name and some others where the two parties were just a match made in heaven—including…
Decoldest Crawford And An HVAC Company
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Decoldest Crawford’s name got some attention when he was making a name for himself as a high school football player in Louisiana; he claimed his middle name was ToEvaDoIt (sadly, it’s actually “Juan) and got his first taste of viral fame before heading to college.
He was injured before his freshman season got underway and transferred to Louisiana Tech. However, he only had two receptions in 2023, didn’t play in 2024, and transferred to Grambling State ahead of the 2025 campaign.
Ga’Quincy “Kool-Aid” McKinstry And Kool-Aid
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The man born Ga-Quincy McKinstry earned his nickname immediately after he was born thanks to his grandmother, who noted he had a ” big Kool-Aid smile” as soon as he came out of the womb.
He declared for the NFL Draft in 2024 and has been a member of the Saints since they selected him in the second round with the 41st overall pick.
General Booty And An Underwear Brand
NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK
In 2002, Abram and Amy Booty welcomed a new son into the world before he received a birth certificate emblazoned with the name General Maximus Axel Booty.
They initially planned on calling him Axel, but he insisted on going by “General” and subsequently attracted plenty of attention for some fairly obvious reasons after he transferred to Oklahoma in 2022 after a season at a junior college.
Booty ended up transferring to Louisiana-Monroe, and while he entered the portal after the most recent season, it doesn’t appear he’s found a new home.
Dieunerst Collin And Popeyes
NIL Summit via USA Today Network
If you’ve spent enough time on the internet, you’ve likely come across the GIF of a young Dieunerst Collin giving side-eye to a camera after being mistaken for the Vine star Terio while inside a Popeyes restaurant.
He was on the roster at UT-Permian Basin in 2024 but didn’t end up taking a snap.
Purchase, Moore, Hamann, Bacon And The Iowa Pork Producers Association
Nirmalendu Majumdar/Ames Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK
In 2023, Iowa State’s football team boasted a quartet of players named Myles Purchse, Tyler Moore, Tommy Hamann, and Caleb Bacon.
The Iowa Pork Producers Association seized on a golden opportunity by giving all four of those players an NIL deal to encourage people to “Purchase More Ham And Bacon,” which the Sports Business Journal rightfully named the best one to come out of 2023.
The association also added Alec Cook and Zach Lovett to the equation in an attempt to further its message, and the deal was renewed in 2024.
Jake Retzlaff And A Kosher Food Company
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
BYU is the nation’s preeminent Mormon university, and while every student-athlete has to sign its honor code, there have been plenty of players who weren’t members of the Church of Latter-Day Saints.
That includes Jake Retzlaff, the Jewish quarterback who embraced his “BY-Jew” nickname after earning the starting job in 2023.
Bijan Robinson reaped the benefits of being a big name at Texas, as his list of NIL deals included partnerships with Lamborghini, C4 Energy, and Raising Cane’s.
However, none of them were more unique than the one that led to the creation of the running back’s very own condiment—Bijan Mustardson—in 2022 to take advantage of the fact that his first name rhymes with “Dijon.”
Mohamed Ibrahim And Gushers
Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Plenty of athletes rely on small snacks to stay fueled during a game, and former Minnesota running back Mohamed Ibrahim garnered some attention when he was spotted gobbling down some Gushers on the sideline.
Jeremy Roach And Darianna Littlepage-Buggs Link Up With Raid
Bob Donnan/Chris Jones-Imagn Images
We have our first non-football players courtesy of Jeremy Roach and Darianna Littlepage-Buggs, who both play basketball at Baylor (although the former was still at Duke when the deal in question was signed).
In 2024, the pest control brand Raid became the latest brand to execute an incredibly organic NIL agreement, and Roach and Buggs were both tapped for pretty obvious reasons.
John Daly II and Hooters
Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
John Daly has famously spent close to three decades posting up in the parking lot of the Hooters down the street from Augusta National during The Masters, and his son ended up reaping the benefits.
In 2022, John Daly II (who plays golf at Arkansas) got an NIL deal from the chain a few years before it filed for bankruptcy after it signed him to serve as an official ambassador.
Women’s pro volleyball leagues’ merger includes San Diego team
SACRAMENTO – In a landmark move for the sport, Pro Volleyball Federation and Major League Volleyball have announced plans for a single, united league poised to elevate professional women’s volleyball in the United States. The unified league will be branded as MLV. The unification and modernization of the business model will bring new team owners, league governance, […]
SACRAMENTO – In a landmark move for the sport, Pro Volleyball Federation and Major League Volleyball have announced plans for a single, united league poised to elevate professional women’s volleyball in the United States.
The unified league will be branded as MLV.
The unification and modernization of the business model will bring new team owners, league governance, ownership standards, and an innovative approach to off-court player opportunities and fan engagement.
MLV will feature the following team lineup for 2026: Atlanta, Columbus, Dallas, Grand Rapids, Indianapolis, Omaha, Orlando, and San Diego.
In 2027, the league is slated to expand with two more franchises, with the addition of teams in Washington, D.C., and Northern California. These teams will use 2026 to introduce fans to the league in advance of their inaugural seasons.
The Northern California team is majority-owned by entrepreneur Vivek Ranadivé, and DC is owned by the controlling partners of D.C. United.
“To see the sport continue to grow with the consolidation of these teams and their leaders elevates the excitement level to new heights,” said Jen Spicher, Pro Volleyball Federation’s chief executive officer.
“Our belief in the team-ownership model that we played under for the first two seasons is stronger than ever and will showcase the sport at a greater level throughout the nation.”
MLV will be the longest-running professional women’s volleyball league and the only one operating with independently owned teams in-market, alongside a league structure built to resemble those at the pinnacle of sports. It will build on its first two seasons, which saw digital engagement of more than 80 million social impressions, nearly one million total engagements, and over 250,000 social followers.
In addition, attendance has reached more than 750,000 over the first two campaigns, with 45 nationally-televised matches – including an inaugural All-Star Match that drew a peak viewership of 445,000 on CBS network television.
Scheduled to begin play in January 2026, MLV is an evolution of PVF, and the upcoming campaign will be recorded as the league’s third season. The new structure and brand have been established to provide a centralized, elite platform for the sport, delivering world-class competition. It represents a step forward for women’s pro volleyball, intending to elevate the sport among America’s major leagues.
The 2026 season will start with the opening of the free agency signing period on Thursday, Aug. 7. At that time, teams will begin to construct their rosters in the hopes of capturing the MLV Championship.
“I’m incredibly excited to bring MLV to Northern California,” said Ranadivé. “Women’s volleyball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, with fan interest and viewership at an all-time high. We have a unique opportunity to build something special, elevate these phenomenal athletes, and create unforgettable fan experiences.”
The San Diego Mojo women’s professional volleyball team is a founding member of Major League Volleyball. The team is owned by longtime San Diegan and UC San Diego alum Gary E. Jacobs, a co-founder and chairman of the board of the Gary and Jerri-Ann Jacobs High Tech High Charter School and managing director of Jacobs Investment Company.
The draw for the Last 32 of the 2025-26 National Cup has thrown up two big ties to whet the appetite for the new season. Defending champions Malory Eagles – who also won the Women the MAAREE Women’s Super League title in April – will host fellow Final 4 qualifiers last season, London Vinarius, in […]
The draw for the Last 32 of the 2025-26 National Cup has thrown up two big ties to whet the appetite for the new season.
Defending champions Malory Eagles – who also won the Women the MAAREE Women’s Super League title in April – will host fellow Final 4 qualifiers last season, London Vinarius, in a mouth-watering all-London tie.
In the men’s draw, National Cup winners in 2024, Durham Palatinates, will host DYNAMIK Men’s Super League winners in 2025, London Giants.
Both the women’s and the men’s National Cups this coming season will feature England U20 teams, who will play their opening matches away from home.
The women’s team who will be coached by Darren Lewis, will face last season’s National Shield semi-finalists, Northampton.
The men, meanwhile, who will be led into action by Sam Shenton, will make the trip to the capital to take on Division 1 side London Aces.
Other ties of note in the women’s competition see Super League Durham Platinates host Loughborough Students and Division 1 newcomers Manchester Marvels travel to another top-flight side in Darkstar Derbyshire, who reached the semi-final last season.
Super League sides Essex Rebels and Team SideOut Polonia were among those given byes.
In the men’s section, Richmond Docklands, who preserved their Super League status for this coming season via the end-of-season play-offs visit Tamworth Spartans, while Leeds Gorse, newly-promoted back to Super League for 2025-26, go to Loughborough Students.
Reigning champions Essex Rebels will begin their title defence by hosting Division 1 newcomers Manchester Marvels.
Byes were handed to the likes of Malory Eagles, who have made the quarter-finals for each of the last 20 years, 2025 National Shield winners Wessex and 2016 and 2017 winners IBB Polonia London.
The Last 64 and Last 32 ties of the National Shield were also drawn among a record 163 teams entering the four competitions.
You can watch the full draws for all of those matches on the Volleyball England YouTube Channel here.
Following three preliminary ties played on 6th and 7th September, Last 64 National Shield ties will be played on 27th and 28th September, while Last 32 matches in both competitions will take place on 1st and 2nd November.
Miah McDonald Earns MAAC's Nomination for NCAA Woman of the Year
Story Links POUGHKEEPSIE, New York – Graduate shortstop Miah McDonald of the Marist University softball team has been named one of two Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference nominees for NCAA Woman of the Year. McDonald’s remarkable collegiate career was capped by a historic 2025 season, during which she earned the following honors: College Sports Communicators First Team […]
POUGHKEEPSIE, New York – Graduate shortstop Miah McDonald of the Marist University softball team has been named one of two Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference nominees for NCAA Woman of the Year.
McDonald’s remarkable collegiate career was capped by a historic 2025 season, during which she earned the following honors:
College Sports Communicators First Team Academic All-American (first female student-athlete in school history to be named First Team Academic All-American)
Top 100 nationally by Softball America (#45) and D1Softball (#55), Top 100 in D1Softball Mid-Major rankings (#6), and ranked in D1Softball’s top shortstops nationally (#4)
MAAC Player of the Year (second straight year)
ECAC Player of the Year
First Team NFCA All-Region
First Team All-MAAC
MAAC All-Academic Team
Team captain (third straight year)
McDonald made a lasting impact in the program’s and conference’s record books this season and throughout her career:
Set the single-season program record for home runs (28) for the second straight year, which was also a MAAC single-season record.
Set career program records for home runs, runs, runs batted in, hits, and triples.
Set the MAAC’s all-time records in runs and runs batted in.
Siena’s Grace Dobrzynski was also nominated by the MAAC for NCAA Woman of the Year. Marist also nominated softball’s Kiley Myers for the honor.
Established in 1991, the NCAA Woman of the Year Award honors female student-athletes who have excelled in their community, athletics, and academics throughout their college careers. The Woman of the Year selection committee will next choose 10 women from each division to announce its Top 30. The top three honorees in each division will then be announced, and the Woman of the Year will be celebrated at the January 2026 NCAA Convention.
Who will be the Athens-area 2025 preseason volleyball player of the year?
It’s time for readers to pick their fall 2025 preseason player of the year for volleyball. Below are the nominees, which have been directly taken from the preseason all-area team list that went out Tuesday, July 29. All players were hand-picked by the coaches. Preseason hot shots: Here are 74 Athens-area high school volleyball players […]
It’s time for readers to pick their fall 2025 preseason player of the year for volleyball.
Below are the nominees, which have been directly taken from the preseason all-area team list that went out Tuesday, July 29. All players were hand-picked by the coaches.
Preseason hot shots: Here are 74 Athens-area high school volleyball players to watch ahead of 2025 season
The poll will remain open until Tuesday, Aug. 12, at 5 p.m.
Athens-area preseason volleyball player of the year reader poll
Surrey, Delta water polo players with Team Canada at Women’s U20 Worlds
14-player team in Brazil for 2025 World Aquatics Women’s U20 Water Polo Championship Surrey’s Madeleine Scarth (with Surrey Water Polo Club) and Isabella Mady of Delta (Fraser Valley) are among 14 young athletes competing for Canada at the 2025 World Aquatics Women’s U20 Water Polo Championship, Aug. 10-15 in Salvador, Brazil. Ahead of the tournament, Water Polo Canada’s Women’s Junior […]
14-player team in Brazil for 2025 World Aquatics Women’s U20 Water Polo Championship
Surrey’s Madeleine Scarth (with Surrey Water Polo Club) and Isabella Mady of Delta (Fraser Valley) are among 14 young athletes competing for Canada at the 2025 World Aquatics Women’s U20 Water Polo Championship, Aug. 10-15 in Salvador, Brazil.
Ahead of the tournament, Water Polo Canada’s Women’s Junior National Team left July 30 to take part in a preparatory invitational tournament in Recife, Brazil, against teams representing Australia, Brazil, Israel, New Zealand and the U.S.
In addition to Scarth and Mady, other B.C.-based players on Team Canada are Natalia Blazevic (Vancouver), Riley Milne (Burnaby), Melania Segulja (Burnaby) and Alexandra Stoddard (Abbotsford), along with alternate Mackenzie Clark (Fraser Valley).
In Salvador, Team Canada starts Aug. 10 against China, also in Group D with South Africa and Australia.
The Canadian team qualified for the 2025 World Aquatics Women’s U20 Water Polo Championship following its fourth-place finish at the 2024 PanAm Aquatics U19 Women’s Championships, in El Salvador.
“This group has been working really hard, especially over the last couple of weeks training with our senior national team talent pool,” head coach Samuel Donoghue said in a news release from Water Polo Canada.
“It’s been a great environment, and the team’s grown a lot. We’re excited to get to Brazil — first to Recife for some final prep, then on to the World Championships. The energy is high, the team’s focused, and we’re proud to represent Canada.”
At the last World Aquatics Women’s U20 Water Polo Championship, held in 2023 in Portugal, Canada finished in 12th place.
