NIL

Houston Basketball Coach Says 'Nobody Controls College Basketball'

Published

2 months ago

March 31, 2025

Houston Basketball Coach Says 'Nobody Controls College Basketball'

That wouldn’t eliminate name, image and likeness money. But any NIL deals over 0 would need to be approved by a third-party entity, where that entity would ensure that the deals are for fair market value. That process is still ongoing. “We used to be in control of this game,” Sampson said to On3.com. “No. Nobody controls college basketball. We just sit and figure out what to do next. So right now, here’s what we’re dealing with. Next year, who knows where it’s going to take us. So, you never know.”“This game is going to tell us what they’re going to do,” he said. “Here’s your (revenue share) number next year. That didn’t come from a president or an athletic director or a coach. It came from the game. The game will tell you what we’re going to do, and all we’re doing is reacting to it.” After Houston dismantled the Tennessee Volunteers on Sunday, he clinched his third trip to the Final Four as a head coach. He led the Cougars to the Final Four in 2021, and before that he did the same with the Oklahoma Sooners in 2002.He said that he and this athletic director have already started having conversations about how much of a share of the revenue the basketball program would get. Give the Cougars’ resurrection as a program under Sampson, one would think they’re entitled to more than other programs. If the Cougars get past Duke in the semifinals, they’ll play in the national championship game on the same day that the House vs. NCAA settlement case is expected to be formally approved. That’s a day that could change Sampson’s career, both on the court and off. During the ramp-up to the Tennessee game, he talked about the changes his game is experiencing, one in which he’s been a head coach since he took over at Montana Tech in 1981.Houston Cougars basketball coach Kelvin Sampson has been down this road before as he takes another team to the Final Four. Sampson spent some time coaching in the NBA in between a hasty exit at Indiana and taking the Houston job nearly a decade ago. He’s used to dealing with professional players — or at least players that make money. The NIL aspect of the college game, only a few years old, was less of a transition for him than it was for other coaches that didn’t have his experience. Where next year could take the Cougars, along with every other Division I college basketball team, is revenue sharing. The House vs. NCAA settlement is set to allow participating schools to share up to an estimated .5 million in revenue with student-athletes, the lion’s share is expected to go to football. He’s won nearly 800 games and a spot in basketball’s hall of fame awaits him when he’s done coaching. A national championship next Monday would be the pinnacle for his long career. He’s only focused on this year, he said. As for next year, he’ll take it as it comes.

NIL

2025 NCAA Softball Tournament Bracket: Updated Regional matchups, scores, schedule

The first pitches will be thrown this afternoon in the 2025 NCAA Softball Tournament. From there, we’ll be off on a three week-long run towards a title series in the Women’s College World Series from OKC. Action in the Regionals will begin over this weekend with 16 teams set to advance by Sunday. Eight will […]

Published

42 minutes ago

May 16, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Action in the Regionals will begin over this weekend with 16 teams set to advance by Sunday. Eight will then advance from the Super Regionals into the WCWS at Devon Park.

With that, here’s an updated bracket with the latest results from the 2025 Women’s College World Series:

2025 NCAA Softball Tournament Bracket Regionals (May 16-18)

Bryan-College Station Regional

(1) Texas A&M
Saint Francis
Friday 3:30 p.m. ET – SEC Network

Liberty 10, Marist 5 (F/7)
Liberty jumped on top of Marist with a four-run second inning, and while the Red Foxes put together a bit of a comeback attempt with a three-run third inning, it wasn’t enough. Liberty plated another four runs in the fourth to take complete command. Leadoff hitter Savannah Woodard led the way with a 3-of-4 day at the plate, driving in one run with a solo homer and scoring twice herself.

Norman Regional

(2) Oklahoma
Boston University
Friday 6 p.m. ET – ESPNU

California 1, Omaha 0 (F/7)
There wasn’t much offense on Friday in the first game of the Norman Regional, with Cal and Omaha combining to produce only six hits. The Golden Bears were able to squeeze one run out of their four hits, with first baseman Tianna Bell plating a run with an infield single in the fourth inning. From there it was all pitching as Cal cruised to the 1-0 win.

Gainesville Regional

(3) Florida
Mercer
Friday 4:30 p.m. ET – ESPN+

Georgia Tech 5, Florida Atlantic 4 (F/8)
Florida Atlantic and Georgia Tech got things started off with an exciting first game in Gainesville that needed extra innings to be decided. Ultimately, the Owls advanced with a 5-4 victory after Kiley Shelton singled to right field to drive in the winning run in the bottom of the eighth. FAU got two total home runs of the day, one from Ciara Gibson and one from Bella Cimino, and advanced to face the winner between Florida and Mercer.

Fayetteville Regional

(4) Arkansas
Saint Louis
Friday 6:30 p.m. ET – ESPN+
Indiana
Oklahoma State
Friday 4 p.m. ET – ESPN2

Tallahassee Regional

(5) Florida State
Robert Morris
Friday 2:30 p.m. ET – ACC Network

USF 12, Auburn 7 (F/9)
Auburn looked good against USF after the opening inning with a 5-0 start after a three-run home run this afternoon. The Bulls, though, battled back with two runs apiece in the second, third, and fifth to take a lead before this one went to extra innings. It was then at the top of the ninth that South Florida pulled away for good with five runs of their own, with a grand slam hit, to advance. The Tigers will instead then move into the loser’s bracket now with an elimination game coming tomorrow in Tallahassee.

Austin Regional

(6) Texas
Eastern Illinois
Friday 4:30 p.m. ET – ESPN+

Michigan 4, UCF 3 (F/7)
In a back-and-forth affair early, it was a Michigan slugger late that dealt the decisive blow. Designated player Lauren Putz blasted a somewhat controversial two-run home run over the wall, with officials checking to see if there was fan interference. They ruled there was not, giving the Wolverines a 4-3 lead in the sixth inning. From there, Michigan would hold on with a nervy seventh frame that saw two runners reach base.

Knoxville Regional

No. 7 Tennessee 17, Miami (OH) 0 (F/5)
The Lady Vols belted four home runs, including a grand slam from Laura Meeler during an 11-run third inning to run-rule Miami of Ohio in five innings Friday from the Knoxville Regional. McKenna Gibson, Alannah Leach and Sophia Nugent also accounted for home runs, including a three-run nail-in-the-coffin shot from Nugent in the bottom of the fourth inning.

North Carolina
Ohio State
Friday 4 p.m. ET – ESPNU

Columbia Regional

(8) South Carolina
Elon
Friday 5:30 p.m. ET – ESPN+

North Florida 2, Virginia 1 (F/7)
North Florida didn’t score in the first five innings, but quality pitching kept it alive. Then a two-run rally in the sixth inning gave the Ospreys a 2-1 lead. Virginia tried to mount a rally in the bottom of the seventh inning, but a huge call on a runner leaving early for a steal resulted in a costly out. The Cavaliers couldn’t rally from there, ultimately falling 2-1.

Los Angeles Regional

(9) UCLA
UC Santa Barbara
Friday 7:30 p.m. ET – ESPN+
San Diego State
Arizona State
Friday 10 p.m. ET – ESPN2

Baton Rouge Regional

(10) LSU
Southeastern Louisiana
Friday 5:30 p.m. ET – SEC Network

Nebraska 10, UConn 2 (F/6)
Cornhuskers two-way star Jordy Bahl went 2-for-2 at the plate with a pair of home runs and five RBI while also throwing three innings of no-hit ball in the circle. Olivia DiNardo went 1-for-2, beating out an infield single for two RBI in a four-run second inning to take an early 4-0 lead. The Cornhuskers coasted from there, moving into the winner’s bracket of the 2025 NCAA Softball Tournament Baton Rouge Regional.

Clemson Regional

(11) Clemson
SC Upstate
Friday 4:30 p.m. ET – ACC Network

Northwestern 4, Kentucky 0 (F/7)
Kentucky came away with six hits in the contest against Northwestern but couldn’t scratch across a run, and that proved fatal. Northwestern managed to plate a pair of runs in both the fifth and sixth innings to take a commanding 4-0 lead in the contest. And that was all she wrote for the Wildcats from the Bluegrass State, who will now have to battle out of the loser’s bracket.

Lubbock Regional

(12) Texas Tech
Brown
Friday 5:30 p.m. ET – ESPN+
Washington
Mississippi State
Friday 8 p.m. ET – ESPN2

Tucson Regional

(13) Arizona
Santa Clara
Friday 7:30 p.m. ET – ESPN+
Grand Canyon
Ole Miss
Friday 10 p.m. ET – ESPNU

Durham Regional

Duke 12, Howard 0 (F/5)
This game wasn’t much of a challenge for Duke. While Howard enjoyed a tremendous season, the Blue Devils were in a different class, taking it to the Bison from the first pitch until the final out. After a 52-win campaign in 2024, Marissa Young has her team out for retribution, and that journey started with a bang on Friday afternoon in the Durham Regional. Cassidy Curd brought a no-hitter into the fifth for Duke as well, but she’ll settle for a two-hit, complete game shutout.

Georgia 6, Coastal Carolina 3 (F/7)
Senior southpaw Lilli Backes bounced back from a 3-run deficit in the first inning and tossed a one-hit shutout the rest of the way to send the Bulldogs to the second round of the Durham Regional. Backes tied a season-high with nine strikeouts while freshman Mua Williams plated a game-high 3 RBIs on a 2-for-3 day at the plate as Georgia responded with 3-run innings in the second and third for the win.

Tuscaloosa Regional

(15) Alabama
Jackson State
Friday 6 p.m. ET – ESPN+

Virginia Tech 1, Belmont 0 (F/7)
Virginia Tech showed up ready to roll on the mound in the NCAA Softball Tournament opener. The Hokies allowed only one hit in the game, keeping the Bruins from ever truly mounting a threat. A pair of home runs helped power the scoring, providing three of the team’s five runs in the contest as Virginia Tech moved on with a 5-0 win.

Eugene Regional

(16) Oregon
Weber State
Friday 7:30 p.m. ET – ESPN+
Binghamton
Stanford
Friday 5 p.m. ET – ESPN+

NCAA Softball Tournament – Super Regionals (May 22-25)

Winner of Bryan-College Station Regional vs. Winner of Eugene Regional

Winner of Norman Regional vs. Winner of Tuscaloosa Regional

Winner of Gainesville Regional vs. Winner of Durham Regional

Winner of Fayetteville Regional vs. Winner of Tucson Regional

Winner of Tallahassee Regional vs. Winner of Lubbock Regional

Winner of Austin Regional vs. Winner of Clemson Regional

Winner of Knoxville Regional vs. Winner of Baton Rouge Regional

Winner of Columbia Regional vs. Winner of Los Angeles Regional

2025 Women’s College World Series

May 29 through June 5 or 6 at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

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NIL

Greg Sankey should kick the Tennessee Volunteers out of the SEC

An SEC without the Tennessee Vols is exactly what college football needs. Greg Sankey should take bold and extreme action, that if the Tennessee program intends to avoid all efforts of control coming from the expected House settlement, the SEC will show them the door. This is an opinion piece. Others, perhaps many others, will […]

Published

60 minutes ago

May 16, 2025

Your Sports Nation

This is an opinion piece. Others, perhaps many others, will disagree. Before jumping to that conclusion, consider the facts. In recent legislation, the Tennessee State Legislature expanded its previous rejection of any oversight by the NCAA in regards to NIL, player payments, and roster sizes. Sports lawyer, Mit Winter, explained, “It appears to prohibit all of the House settlement’s limits on NIL comp (salary cap, collective restrictions, etc.) unless they’re part of a federal law, valid court order, or determined to be exempt from antitrust law.”

Legislators in the state of Tennessee have been at war with the NCAA during the last few years over NCAA punishments during Jeremy Pruitt’s tenure. The Pols have won every contest. For the sake of every college football program outside the state of Tennessee, that cannot be allowed to happen again.

What the Wild West world of college football has is a norm that excuses actions in one program’s best interest without any regard for the best interests of the college football world.

Let me be clear: college athletes deserve to be paid. But as Kirby Smart recently said, the current money-ruled dynamic is not sustainable. Smart added, “I just want it to be able to have a freshman come in and not make more than a senior,” Smart said. “And I’d like for other sports to be able to still survive. We’re on the brink of probably one to two years away from a lot of schools cutting sports. What’s the pushback going to be then when you start cutting non-revenue sports? I don’t want that to happen.”

Maybe Nick Saban can save college football through a protracted process that begins with a Presidential Commission. But, the only mitigating effort inching forward is the House Settlement. The state of Tennessee Legislature has thrown down a gauntlet that colleges in the Volunteer State will be free to ignore any such constraints.

Greg Sankey and SEC Action

Greg Sankey should give Tennessee an ultimatum that relying on Tennessee’s legislative action violates SEC rules. If the SEC does not have such a rule, it should pass one, with punishment being expulsion. Vanderbilt would also have to be put on notice, though the program only has guilt by association.

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Kentucky Basketball Head Coach Shares Humorous Response to Team’s NIL Valuation

The Kentucky Wildcats are one of the biggest brands in all of college basketball, and they have the NIL funding to back it up. While the exact figure the Wildcats are spending on their roster this upcoming season is unknown, it’s safe to assume the number is very high. Whatever the actual number may be, […]

Published

2 hours ago

May 16, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Whatever the actual number may be, second-year head coach Mark Pope doesn’t appear to be giving any specifics. A reporter recently asked him to name the exact figure, and Pope responded in a very tongue-in-cheek manner.

“It’s getting close to $200 million,” Pope said through a very large grin according to On3’s Jack Pilgrim.

While the sarcastic nature of the response was very obvious, what followed offered a more serious look into Pope’s overall mindset surrounding not just NIL, but winning as a whole. For Pope, the best is the only standard at Kentucky.

“We would like to win at everything. We really would,” Pope said. “This is the flagship program in the country, so I’m fully onboard with all of it. We want to play the hardest schedule, we want to play the best teams, we want to win the most games, we want to have the best players, we want to have the highest NIL, we want to have the coolest uniforms, we want to have the most media attention. This is Kentucky,”

It’s honestly refreshing to hear a coach at a premier program like Kentucky speak so openly about doing whatever it takes to win. After all, Pope knows better than anybody that national titles are the only true measure of success for the Wildcats.

He was the team captain on Kentucky’s 1995-96 championship-winning squad, and now he’s made it his mission to hang another banner in the rafters at Rupp Arena. Pope may have been joking when he said that his roster was worth $200 million, but there’s no doubt he’d spend that much if that’s what it took to bring a national title back home to the Bluegrass State.

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Nick Saban sparks controversy with shocking claims about NIL deals and college football’s future in heated debate

In the ever-evolving landscape of college football, few voices carry as much weight and provoke as much discussion as that of Nick Saban. The Alabama coaching legend, despite stepping down from his head coaching duties, remains a pivotal figure in the sport. His recent comments on the transformative impact of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) […]

Published

2 hours ago

May 16, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The NIL Controversy

At the heart of the controversy is Saban’s critical viewpoint on NIL deals. These agreements allow college athletes to profit from their personal brand, a significant shift from traditional NCAA rules. Saban’s concern is not with the concept of athletes earning from their name, image, and likeness per se, but with how these deals are being leveraged in the recruitment process. The implication is that the essence of college sports is at risk, with financial incentives potentially overshadowing talent and hard work.

Saban’s Perspective

Saban’s insights into the issue reflect a deep understanding of the sport’s intricacies and the potential pitfalls of unchecked NIL deals. His argument suggests a future where the balance of power could shift dramatically, with financial clout possibly dictating the success of college programs more than ever before. This perspective is not just about preserving the integrity of the game but also about ensuring a level playing field for all institutions, regardless of their financial prowess.

A Call for Regulation

Implicit in Saban’s critique is a call for clearer regulations surrounding NIL deals. The current landscape, according to the coaching legend, lacks the necessary safeguards to prevent the exploitation of these agreements for recruiting advantages. The debate thus opens up a larger conversation about the governance of college sports and the role of institutions like the NCAA in establishing fair and transparent rules that uphold the sport’s values while embracing the modern era.

Reflecting on the Future

Saban’s comments are more than just a critique; they are a reflection on the future of college football. As the sport stands at a crossroads, the decisions made now regarding NIL deals and their regulation will have lasting impacts. The challenge lies in finding a balance that allows athletes to rightfully benefit from their talents and hard work without compromising the competitive integrity and spirit of college sports.

In this light, Saban’s voice is not just one of criticism but of caution and foresight. His contributions to the debate highlight the need for thoughtful consideration and action to navigate the complexities of modern college sports. As the landscape continues to evolve, the insights of experienced figures like Saban will be invaluable in shaping a future that respects the traditions of the game while embracing necessary change.

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Florida softball vs Mercer live score updates, highlights, how to watch NCAA Regional game

Florida softball will begin its quest for its second straight trip to Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City when it faces Mercer on May 16 in its opening game of the Gainesville Regional. The number three national seed Florida Gators (43-15) have made 12 WCWS appearances overall and won two national championships (2014, 2015) […]

Published

3 hours ago

May 16, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Florida softball vs Mercer live score updates, highlights, how to watch NCAA Regional game

Florida softball will begin its quest for its second straight trip to Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City when it faces Mercer on May 16 in its opening game of the Gainesville Regional.

The number three national seed Florida Gators (43-15) have made 12 WCWS appearances overall and won two national championships (2014, 2015) in 19 seasons under head coach Tim Walton.

This season, UF has been led by the batting of outfielders Kendra Falby (.434, 2 HR, 31 RBIs) and Taylor Shumaker (.380, 18 HR, 76 RBIs). Pitching-wise, four different pitchers have won eight or more games for UF, led by Katelynn Oxely (8-5, 2.59 ERA), Ava Brown (10-3, 2.66 ERA) Keegan Rothrock (12-5, 3.34 ERA) and Kara Hammock (9-1. 3.36 ERA).

Mercer (38-24) earned an NCAA Tournament bid by winning the Southern Conference Tournament. The Bears are led by infielder Tori Hedgecock, who is batting .355 with 16 home runs and 62 RBIs.Florida softball vs Mercer live score updatesThis section will be updated as the game gets underway.Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

Florida softball vs. Mercer in 2025 NCAA Gainesville Regional: Start time

First pitch from Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium is set for 4:30 p.m. Friday.

Florida softball vs. Mercer in 2025 NCAA Gainesville Regional: Streaming

TV channel: ESPN+

Streaming: Watch ESPN, FUBO (free trial)

You can listen to it here. Live stats are available on Gainesville.com/sports/college.

Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun’s Florida beat writer. Contact him at kbrockway@gannett.com. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1. Read his coverage of the Gators’ national championship basketball season in “CHOMP-IONS!” — a hardcover coffee-table collector’s book from The Sun. Details at Florida.ChampsBook.com

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How much is too much for a HS OT? CFB sources sound off on Jackson Cantwell’s massive NIL deal with Miami

How much is too much to pay for a high school offensive lineman? That’s a question buzzing throughout college football this week on the heels of five-star offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell committing to Miami. The deal, which 247Sports previously reported could approach $2 million a year, allowed the Hurricanes to overtake Georgia for the No. 10 overall prospect in the Top247 and […]

Published

3 hours ago

May 16, 2025

Your Sports Nation

How much is too much to pay for a high school offensive lineman? That’s a question buzzing throughout college football this week on the heels of five-star offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell committing to Miami.

The deal, which 247Sports previously reported could approach $2 million a year, allowed the Hurricanes to overtake Georgia for the No. 10 overall prospect in the Top247 and No. 1 player for the industry-generated 247Sports Composite.

It’s a splashy move that seems in line with Miami’s general strategy during the NIL era, which has seen the Hurricanes basically do whatever it takes to land top targets, including Cam Ward‘s $2 million salary and Carson Beck‘s $4 million.

“If you can pay it, do it,” said one SEC director of player personnel. “Go get that guy.”

But college football will soon no longer be in the unlimited NIL era of the sport. Once the House settlement is approved — a decision that could come anytime over the next few days — all future NIL deals more than $600 will be subject to approval from a clearinghouse that will determine whether they meet the standard of fair market value. Schools, at least on paper, will be far more limited in their spending with revenue sharing (expected to be $14 to $16 million for most Power Four football programs) making up the majority of a pseudo salary cap.

That’s the context in which many are looking at Cantwell’s massive price tag and wondering how an unproven high school tackle could be worth it.

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