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Promotions for 2025 NIU Football Home Games Set

Football | June 10 Story Links DeKALB, Ill. – Northern Illinois University will welcome alumni, celebrate its football history, honor members of the military and first responders, teachers and more during its final season in the Mid-American Conference as the promotions for NIU’s 2025 football home games were announced on […]

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Football | June 10

DeKALB, Ill. – Northern Illinois University will welcome alumni, celebrate its football history, honor members of the military and first responders, teachers and more during its final season in the Mid-American Conference as the promotions for NIU’s 2025 football home games were announced on Tuesday.
 
NIU kicks off its 124th college football season on August 30th versus Holy Cross on “First Saturday in Huskie Stadium” with fans encouraged to wear red and help celebrate Football Champions Weekend with stars of the past.
 
The Huskies next are home on Saturday, September 27th to take on San Diego State in the annual Salute to Service game, which will also include high school band day, scout day and a celebration of teachers in conjunction with Extra Yard for Teachers Week.
 
On Saturday, October 4th, the oldest Homecoming in the state of Illinois will be celebrated for the 118th time with NIU taking on MAC foe Miami for the Mallory Cup. In addition to welcoming alumni from across the country, the Huskie Football program is extending a special invitation to former football student-athletes.
 
The Huskies and Ball State will battle for the Bronze Stalk Trophy in DeKalb on Saturday, October 25th during Family Weekend, which has also been dubbed the cancer awareness game and youth sports day. NIU employees and health care workers will be recognized and can take advantage of ticket discounts.
 
NIU plays its final midweek #MACtion game on Tuesday, November 18th versus Western Michigan with the Huskies’ MAC finale set for Friday, November 28th on “Black Friday” with a Black Out (wear black). Prior to the game, which kicks off at 11 a.m. (CT), 2025 seniors and their families will be honored.
 
The list is not final as additional promotions will be added as they are finalized.  
 
Season ticket prices for NIU’s six 2025 home games begin at as little as $110 each for a general admission ticket. With the purchase of the Huskie 4-Pack (four or more tickets), pay $110 each for a reserved seat in sections A, B or F on the West Side. Reserved west side seats are priced at $152 or $170 with discounts available for NIU alumni, NIU faculty/staff, DeKalb County residents, seniors (62+) and members of the Varsity Club (former student-athletes).
 
Fans who purchase 2025 Huskie Football season tickets by June 30th of this year automatically qualify for the “Lock In” rate, giving them the ability to purchase similar season tickets in 2026 and 2027 at 2025 prices, provided they meet the season ticket deadline each year. 
 
Renew or purchase tickets for the 2025 NIU Football season now online at NIUHuskies.com/tickets. For more information, call the NIU Ticket Office at 815-753-PACK (7225) weekdays between 9 a.m.-5 p.m. or email huskiestickets@niu.edu.
 
— NIU —
 
Twitter: @NIUAthletics
Facebook: NIU Huskies
Instagram: niuhuskies
YouTube: NIU Athletics Official
 
 



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Coaches race to master art of retention amid NIL, revenue sharing and transfer portal challenges

Whether it was an ACC, SEC, Big Ten or Big 12 coach taking the podium at media days, one theme remained consistent: In an era where revenue sharing and NIL opportunities can swiftly steer athletes toward the transfer portal, programs across the country are racing to master the art of player retention. Its importance is […]

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Whether it was an ACC, SEC, Big Ten or Big 12 coach taking the podium at media days, one theme remained consistent: In an era where revenue sharing and NIL opportunities can swiftly steer athletes toward the transfer portal, programs across the country are racing to master the art of player retention.

Its importance is clear to Arkansas coach Sam Pittman, who has seen all but five players from his 2023 recruiting class leave for different programs.

“Here’s what it’s not because of: the way they’re treated, because of the way they’re developed, because of the way they’re taught,” he said. “That’s not the reason. It could be playing time. It could be finances. Probably the majority of it is finances, but you’d have to ask those guys.”

More than 3,000 Bowl Subdivision players reportedly entered the transfer portal this past spring, which would average out to about 22 players per team. For the Razorbacks, 10 starters will be back and one of them is senior defensive lineman Cam Ball. He has remained with Arkansas his entire career, a somewhat rare occurrence for an NFL hopeful these days.

“I’m just a loyal guy. I’m loyal to the state of Arkansas; Arkansas has been loyal to me,” Ball said.

Arkansas, like many schools, is also trying to scare up more money from donors as it faces the financial ramifications of the $2.8 billion House settlement; last fall, the athletic director said the school needed some $12 million more annually to “be in the NIL game from a football perspective.” Besides the money, the Razorbacks have to find talented players; Ball grew up in Atlanta, just barely within the regional footprint in which Pittman prefers to recruit.

“We have to go outside our state,” Pittman said. “In-state recruiting has changed over the last three or four years because of NIL. So you have to think about the talent — who it is versus what pay is expected. So that’s been a little bit more difficult in our state.”

Pittman isn’t the only coach who wants prospects to be familiar with what their college experience will look like before making any life-changing decisions. Florida coach Billy Napier paints a clear picture of life in Gainesville and the challenges and perks that come with it.

“We present our product in a way where we’re selling the degree, the alumni network, the Gator-made program, and you have to be up for the challenge of trying to get Florida back to where it’s been before,” he said. “And I think that’s one of the reasons we’ve been able to keep it together.”

Florida’s 2023 recruiting class remains mostly intact, and from Napier’s perspective, hungrier than ever. Compared to other SEC teams, the Gators have had more success with retention. Napier doesn’t think it’s a coincidence.

“We told them when they came in, you know, look, it’s not going to be all sunshine and rainbows here. We’re in this thing for the long haul,” Napier said. “I think a lot of this is how you pitch it in recruiting. We’re going to continue to do that, and retention is more important than it’s ever been.”

Coaches scrambling to prevent transfers and maintain consistency isn’t exclusive to the SEC. The approval of the House settlement is a double-edged sword when it comes to retention, and Power Four schools and beyond are feeling the effects. Third-party NIL deals are no longer the only negotiation tactic schools need to worry about.

Complex contracts are becoming common and legal risks grow for athletes and programs alike as college football increasingly resembles the pros. Some deals are being negotiated solely by athletes as young as 18.

As a redshirt senior, Louisville linebacker TJ Quinn is used to the process.

“I wouldn’t say I was nervous (to negotiate) because this is my third year of having to do that,” Quinn said. “You’ve got to kind of stand your ground with what you feel like is your worth. If you’re comfortable with their offer, then sign. Then you have some guys that’ll leave and go to schools to get more money and stuff. That was never really like a big pusher for me, to go out and get more money because I feel like I’m in a good situation here at Louisville.”

Quinn’s loyalty could be the most convincing negotiation tactic of them all. While programs use revenue-share dollars to sway prospective transfers, coaches have begun to reward loyalty.

“To some degree, it’s capitalism that you get what you earn. So the guys that go out and play well are going to get more than the guys who haven’t proven it yet,” SMU coach Rhett Lashlee said. “Everybody on the team’s not going to make the same. Fair doesn’t always mean equal.”

But he also said the Mustangs are not going to add players “making a whole lot more than those guys who have already earned it here.”

“And I think that’s what helps us keep a good culture, is try to start with: Let’s retain first, and then whatever’s left, let’s go build the best team we can for those guys,” Lashlee said.

North Carolina State’s Dave Doeren doubled down.

“A guy that’s been on a team three years, that’s playing well and earned it on the field should make more than a guy coming in the door. I think that’s a proper way to do business,” Doeren said, though he warned that might not be the case across the board. “Right now, common sense is not prevailing in college football.”

___

AP Sports Writer Aaron Beard contributed to this report.

___

AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.



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Letters: Coach Jay Johnson lifts LSU baseball to new heights | Letters

Congratulations to Jay Johnson on winning National Coach of the Year awarded by D1Baseball.com. Coach Johnson won the prestigious award for the second time in three years at the helm of the LSU Tigers. Since the arrival of Johnson, college baseball has changed dramatically. NIL is a huge consideration for many players considering offers for […]

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Congratulations to Jay Johnson on winning National Coach of the Year awarded by D1Baseball.com. Coach Johnson won the prestigious award for the second time in three years at the helm of the LSU Tigers.

Since the arrival of Johnson, college baseball has changed dramatically. NIL is a huge consideration for many players considering offers for their services. However, the Tiger mentor assembled a star-studded roster of blue-chip players who chose LSU over other schools. A few even turned down lucrative professional baseball contracts to play for the Tigers.

Coach Johnson not only mentors his team in the art of baseball, but he also strives to prepare his men for life after college. He recently mentioned that LSU players have a GPA of 3.0. They participate in community projects and school extracurricular activities. And you don’t read about them in newspaper police reports.

When signees join the Tiger program under Johnson, they come to win a National Championship, enjoy the support of 12,000 fans and the unique LSU experience.

LSU fans deserve much of the credit for the program’s success. They are well-received at every venue they participate in because they are among the most generous, fun-loving, devoted fans in America. I thought it interesting to hear the Omaha business owners and other schools who were ecstatic that the Tigers were back in town for the College World Series. They share their barbecue fare with everyone who wants a taste of bayou favorites.



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Top International Prospect to Visit UNC later this week

North Carolina continues to stay in the recruiting spotlight—and that’s great news for Tar Heel fans. According to Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress, international prospect Sayon Keita is making a whirlwind tour of six blue blood programs in six days. One of those stops includes Chapel Hill. The 7-foot standout will visit UNC on Aug. 1, […]

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North Carolina continues to stay in the recruiting spotlight—and that’s great news for Tar Heel fans.

According to Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress, international prospect Sayon Keita is making a whirlwind tour of six blue blood programs in six days. One of those stops includes Chapel Hill. The 7-foot standout will visit UNC on Aug. 1, his second-to-last stop before wrapping up his tour at UConn on Aug. 2. Keita already visited Kansas and Indiana on July 28–29, with trips to Kentucky on July 30 and Duke on July 31 also on the schedule.

This is on point as there is an influx of international basketball players into U.S. college programs has grown in recent years, fueled in large part by the rise of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) opportunities since the NCAA lifted restrictions in 2021.

Historically, many elite international prospects opted to remain in their home countries, where they could earn immediate salaries by turning professional. But the chance to secure NIL deals while playing college basketball in the United States has reshaped that dynamic. For many, it’s no longer just about getting paid — it’s about acclimating to American culture, raising their NBA stock and competing against top-level talent on a prominent stage.

North Carolina recently dipped their fingers in the Europan waters and managed to get Luka Bogavac.

Expect Keita’s name to surface frequently in the coming months. The Mali native may reclassify to the 2026 class, though even if he does, he’s expected to remain the top international prospect.

UNC

Dec 13, 2022; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; A view of the Roy Williams Court logo at Dean E. Smith Center. / Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Keita is an elite defender with a rare combination of size, length and athleticism that allows him to impact both ends of the floor. He’s highly effective in pick-and-roll situations, often finishing plays with alley-oops set up by well-timed screens. His highlight tape features plenty of explosive finishes and rim protection.

He impressed scouts at both the NBPA Top 100 Camp and NBA Academy Games, averaging 13.2 points, 10.5 rebounds and four blocks per game.

Keita made his professional debut in March 2025 while playing for FC Barcelona B, earning his first minutes with the senior team in an ACB League victory over CB Breogán at Palau Blaugrana. Injuries to Barcelona’s first-team roster opened the door for multiple EuroLeague call-ups during the 2024–25 season.

While Keita’s potential is undeniable, his game remains raw. At just 17 years old, he’s still learning how to fully utilize his 7-foot, 215-pound frame. He’s shown flashes of scoring ability with his back to the basket—most notably a developing right hook—and has intriguing upside as a vertical spacer and shot blocker.

Make sure to follow North Carolina Tar Heels On SI on X (formerly Twitter). Also, go like our page on Facebook!



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Unregulated NIL, transfers create chaos in college sports

SPORTS COLUMN Name, image and likeness, or NIL, has taken the college sports world by storm. Now, nearly every commitment by a high school prospect or transfer portal player is immediately followed by speculation about how much money was offered — or what other schools were willing to pay. But the problem with NIL has […]

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SPORTS COLUMN

Name, image and likeness, or NIL, has taken the college sports world by storm.

Now, nearly every commitment by a high school prospect or transfer portal player is immediately followed by speculation about how much money was offered — or what other schools were willing to pay.

But the problem with NIL has never been the money itself. College athletes deserve to be compensated. The issue lies in the NCAA’s lack of regulation.

Without clear guidelines, standard contracts or uniform expectations — like those in professional leagues — NIL has become a free-for-all. Athletes can renegotiate deals or switch programs every offseason with few restrictions.

This lack of structure has made life far more difficult for college coaches. Each year, they must re-recruit their own roster, decide how to allocate NIL funds and still try to land top high school and transfer portal talent. It’s a juggling act that leaves little room for roster continuity or long-term planning.

Implementing contracts that span a player’s remaining eligibility would help bring stability to the system.

Yes, some argue that student-athletes should have the same freedom to transfer as any other college student — but regular students aren’t being paid to represent a university on the field.

That said, graduate transfers should remain an exception.

If a student-athlete earns their degree, they should be free to transfer without restriction. Graduation reflects a full academic and athletic commitment — and those individuals deserve the freedom to pursue new opportunities, whether athletic, academic or financial.

Set contracts would also lead to more transparency. If NIL deals are formally negotiated and binding, it would protect both schools and athletes.

There have already been multiple cases where players were promised a certain amount of NIL money, only to discover later that the funds never materialized. With enforceable agreements, these situations would be far less common.

Contracts would also help promote team loyalty. As a lifelong LSU fan, I’ve seen the revolving- door effect firsthand. In the NIL era, players come and go at a staggering rate. Growing up, I watched legends like Patrick Peterson, Eric Reid, Leonard Fournette and Derek Stingley Jr. suit up for the Tigers year after year. That kind of continuity helped build deeper fan connections. You knew who the stars were, and you watched them grow over multiple seasons.

That’s no longer the norm. This past offseason alone, LSU brought in 20 players from the transfer portal and lost 26.

Even the top performers are willing to jump ship. Defending national champion Ohio State, for example, added star safety Caleb Downs from Alabama, standout running back Quinshon Judkins from Ole Miss and several others from top programs.

There are still positives in the new system, and that’s worth acknowledging — especially for athletes from smaller schools or under-the-radar programs.

Former Elgin High School standout Braylon Owens, for instance, transferred from Texas State to UT-San Antonio, where he played a pivotal role in the Roadrunners’ upset of Texas in the NCAA regionals.

That performance helped propel him into the 2025 MLB Draft, where he was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers.

Keaton Grady, another former Elgin product, also benefited from the transfer portal. After starting his collegiate career at Incarnate Word, Grady transferred to Dallas Baptist University.

He emerged as a key defensive player and was named to the Baton Rouge All-Regional Team after a stellar performance at second base.

These are great examples of how NIL and the portal can open doors when used for the right reasons. But stories like theirs are becoming exceptions — not the rule. The bigger concern lies with powerhouse programs using unregulated NIL funds to poach athletes from other bigname schools.

Without meaningful regulation, college athletics has become a revolving door. Athletes chase bigger paychecks or better exposure — which is understandable in some cases.

But often, the grass isn’t greener on the other side. If players signed multi-year contracts out of high school, perhaps they’d take more time choosing the right fit rather than chasing the highest bidder, only to transfer again the following year.

NIL isn’t going away — nor should it. But if the NCAA wants to protect the integrity of college sports and ensure a better experience for athletes, coaches and fans, it’s time for structure, regulation and accountability.

Carter Bordwell is the sports editor of the Elgin Courier and Taylor Press. He can be reached at carter. bordwell@granitemediapartners. com.



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APEX and Baseline Ventures forge strategic alliance to drive global sports investments

Bengaluru: APEX, a sports-focused international investments firm, and Baseline Ventures, a prominent player in the Indian sports and entertainment ecosystem, have announced a strategic partnership aimed at unlocking high-impact investment opportunities across the global sports industry. The collaboration marks a significant step forward in connecting global capital with India’s rapidly evolving sports ecosystem. Through this […]

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APEX and Baseline Ventures forge strategic alliance to drive global sports investments

Bengaluru: APEX, a sports-focused international investments firm, and Baseline Ventures, a prominent player in the Indian sports and entertainment ecosystem, have announced a strategic partnership aimed at unlocking high-impact investment opportunities across the global sports industry.

The collaboration marks a significant step forward in connecting global capital with India’s rapidly evolving sports ecosystem. Through this alliance, APEX’s venture portfolio will gain access to one of the fastest-growing sports markets in the world, where innovation, IP creation, and fan engagement are accelerating. In parallel, APEX will actively explore investments in both emerging sports IPs and established entities across India, recognising the market’s scale and long-term potential.

Founded in 2014, Baseline Ventures has been instrumental in shaping India’s sports commerce landscape. The firm’s deep involvement across athlete management, league development, brand partnerships, and licensing has led to the creation of some of the most valuable properties in Indian sports. Their roster includes elite athletes and successful sports IPs, backed by enduring brand collaborations.

APEX, with its stronghold in Europe and the U.S., is recognised for its strategic investments in the global sports and media sector. The firm’s athlete-led model has attracted top-tier investors including F1 stars Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz, as well as footballers Trent Alexander-Arnold and Marcelo Viera. Recently, Smriti Mandhana — India’s leading women’s cricketer and exclusively managed by Baseline Ventures — became the first Indian athlete to invest in APEX, further strengthening its ties with the Indian market.

Pedro Felix da Costa, Partner & Chief Commercial Officer at APEX, commented, “APEX was founded in Europe but built with a global mandate, and we’re very happy with the continuous deal flow we see across Europe and the US. To unlock potential in India, it’s a natural step to partner locally with people who deeply understand the landscape and can help us navigate it with intent. This is also an opportunity for capital in the region to access high-quality sports deals across Europe and the US through APEX.”

Vishal Jaison, Co-Founder & Director of Baseline Ventures, said, “We’re happy to join hands with APEX to help unlock opportunities for Indian investors in the global sports market. Sports has emerged as one of the most lucrative asset classes in recent times while showing tremendous potential for value appreciation. APEX is well placed to be right gateway for investment into some of the leading sports entities across Europe and US.”

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Unregulated NIL, transfers create chaos in college sports

SPORTS COLUMN Name, image and likeness, or NIL, has taken the college sports world by storm. Now, nearly every commitment by a high school prospect or transfer portal player is immediately followed by speculation about how much money was offered — or what other schools were willing to pay. But the problem with NIL has […]

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Unregulated NIL, transfers create chaos in college sports

SPORTS COLUMN

Name, image and likeness, or NIL, has taken the college sports world by storm.

Now, nearly every commitment by a high school prospect or transfer portal player is immediately followed by speculation about how much money was offered — or what other schools were willing to pay.

But the problem with NIL has never been the money itself. College athletes deserve to be compensated. The issue lies in the NCAA’s lack of regulation.

Without clear guidelines, standard contracts or uniform expectations — like those in professional leagues — NIL has become a free-for-all. Athletes can renegotiate deals or switch programs every offseason with few restrictions.

This lack of structure has made life far more difficult for college coaches. Each year, they must re-recruit their own roster, decide how to allocate NIL funds and still try to land top high school and transfer portal talent. It’s a juggling act that leaves little room for roster continuity or long-term planning.

Implementing contracts that span a player’s remaining eligibility would help bring stability to the system.

Yes, some argue that student-athletes should have the same freedom to transfer as any other college student — but regular students aren’t being paid to represent a university on the field.

That said, graduate transfers should remain an exception.

If a student-athlete earns their degree, they should be free to transfer without restriction. Graduation reflects a full academic and athletic commitment — and those individuals deserve the freedom to pursue new opportunities, whether athletic, academic or financial.

Set contracts would also lead to more transparency. If NIL deals are formally negotiated and binding, it would protect both schools and athletes.

There have already been multiple cases where players were promised a certain amount of NIL money, only to discover later that the funds never materialized. With enforceable agreements, these situations would be far less common.

Contracts would also help promote team loyalty. As a lifelong LSU fan, I’ve seen the revolving- door effect firsthand. In the NIL era, players come and go at a staggering rate. Growing up, I watched legends like Patrick Peterson, Eric Reid, Leonard Fournette and Derek Stingley Jr. suit up for the Tigers year after year. That kind of continuity helped build deeper fan connections. You knew who the stars were, and you watched them grow over multiple seasons.

That’s no longer the norm. This past offseason alone, LSU brought in 20 players from the transfer portal and lost 26.

Even the top performers are willing to jump ship. Defending national champion Ohio State, for example, added star safety Caleb Downs from Alabama, standout running back Quinshon Judkins from Ole Miss and several others from top programs.

There are still positives in the new system, and that’s worth acknowledging — especially for athletes from smaller schools or under-the-radar programs.

Former Elgin High School standout Braylon Owens, for instance, transferred from Texas State to UT-San Antonio, where he played a pivotal role in the Roadrunners’ upset of Texas in the NCAA regionals.

That performance helped propel him into the 2025 MLB Draft, where he was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers.

Keaton Grady, another former Elgin product, also benefited from the transfer portal. After starting his collegiate career at Incarnate Word, Grady transferred to Dallas Baptist University.

He emerged as a key defensive player and was named to the Baton Rouge All-Regional Team after a stellar performance at second base.

These are great examples of how NIL and the portal can open doors when used for the right reasons. But stories like theirs are becoming exceptions — not the rule. The bigger concern lies with powerhouse programs using unregulated NIL funds to poach athletes from other bigname schools.

Without meaningful regulation, college athletics has become a revolving door. Athletes chase bigger paychecks or better exposure — which is understandable in some cases.

But often, the grass isn’t greener on the other side. If players signed multi-year contracts out of high school, perhaps they’d take more time choosing the right fit rather than chasing the highest bidder, only to transfer again the following year.

NIL isn’t going away — nor should it. But if the NCAA wants to protect the integrity of college sports and ensure a better experience for athletes, coaches and fans, it’s time for structure, regulation and accountability.

Carter Bordwell is the sports editor of the Elgin Courier and Taylor Press. He can be reached at carter. bordwell@granitemediapartners. com.

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