NIL

The (mobile) game is afoot

Osman SamiuddinApr 9, 2025, 01:01 AM ET Close Osman spent the first half of his life pretending he discovered reverse swing with a tennis ball half-covered with electrical tape. The second half of his life was spent trying, and failing, to find spiritual fulfillment in the world of Pakistani advertising and marketing. The third half […]

Published

1 month ago

April 9, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Osman SamiuddinApr 9, 2025, 01:01 AM ET
Close

The ICC is aiming to launch its first mobile cricket game offering, as it looks to diversify revenue streams in anticipation of a potential slowdown in the value of future broadcast rights. Though cricket gaming has a history stretching back decades, this is believed to be the first time the game’s governing body will develop its own game and, in the process, claim a share in what is seen as a lucrative, swift-growth market.

The ICC’s digital team will make a presentation on its plans to the chief executives’ committee (CEC) at the ICC’s board meetings, which begin from today in Harare. The idea has been discussed at previous meetings, but the ICC is looking to now get a green light from Full Members to put a tender out for developers to build a game that will, at least initially, be a mobile offering.

Most fans will remember the EA Sports’ Cricket series, or Codemaster’s Brian Lara Cricket on games consoles, and there have been numerous other games stretching back to the 1980s. In recent years, a limited number of mobile cricket games have tasted success.

1 Related

In this scenario, the ICC owning a game offering could be a key moment. The gold standard – first on games consoles and then on mobiles – remains FIFA’s wildly successful 30-year partnership with games developer EA Sports, which only ended in 2023. But much will depend on how the ICC negotiates a complex landscape for players’ name, image and likeness (NIL) rights. One of the reasons EA Sports ended its cricket series in 2007 was because securing licensing rights for player names was such a logistical nightmare – the last edition famously had rights for players from some teams but fictitious names that bore a likeness to the real names for players from other countries, including India.

The ICC signs up NIL rights for all squads that participate in their tournaments but only for the duration of those events. All cricket outside of it, bilateral, domestic and franchise, is outside the ICC’s remit. For a game that aims to have national teams playing against each other as well as T20 franchises or domestic T20 teams in action, the ICC will have to come to licensing agreements with individual boards (in countries that don’t have player associations) – such as India and Pakistan – as well as the World Cricketers’ Association (WCA), the global players’ body.

In early 2024, WCA signed a long-term partnership with Winners Alliance, an affiliate of the Novak Djokovic-backed Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA). It is Winners Alliance that will handle deals such as this on behalf of cricketers who are members of WCA-affiliated players’ associations, such as those in Australia, England, New Zealand and South Africa. WCA is aware of the ICC’s plans for the game but has not indicated how it intends to respond to any approach.

An idea of how complicated it could get is evident from recent reports in Australia’s Telegraph and the New Zealand Herald which revealed ongoing disputes (with the potential to become legal) between Cricket Australia (CA) and New Zealand Cricket (NZC) with their players over player NIL rights for digital games. In both instances, the boards are in dispute with player associations over the use of player images in a game offering on the Real Cricket app – in New Zealand’s case, the board has already signed an NIL deal with another app in India. Last year in August, WCA (with which player associations in Australia and New Zealand are affiliated) and Winners Alliance signed a deal with the Real Cricket app for player NIL rights.

An official familiar with the landscape says there are around 100 companies using players in various games without authorisation or onward revenues to players – revenues which can often be significant. It is the right to those revenues that WCA and Winners Alliance want to enforce and protect for their players.

The ICC recognises it will need to come to some form of a licensing agreement with WCA, but given the often adversarial nature of the relationship – and they have sparred over similar issues recently – any agreement might not be straightforward.

Acquiring rights for Indian players – with no player association and so, no affiliation with WCA – could be vital to its success, as could rights for IPL franchise names, given its status as the most lucrative tournament in cricket. One official said early discussions suggested IPL franchises would not be willing to license their names to the ICC’s game.

The size of the mobile gaming market in India – several reports put the 2024 value at around US$3 billion and growing swiftly – is one of the reasons the ICC is keen to get in. It sees such a game as providing a necessary additional revenue stream in an environment in which indications are that it might not be able to secure again the kind of record-breaking broadcast deal it did in this rights cycle.

NIL

Quinn Ewers’ lucrative side hustle will net him nearly as much as NFL salary

Quinn Ewers’ decision to leave Texas for the NFL has already been justified, even after falling to the seventh round, with the quarterback earning a lucrative endorsement deal 12:39 ET, 23 May 2025Updated 12:40 ET, 23 May 2025 Quinn Ewers first pro endorsement deal should help ease the pain of leaving NIL money on the […]

Published

9 minutes ago

May 24, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Quinn Ewers’ decision to leave Texas for the NFL has already been justified, even after falling to the seventh round, with the quarterback earning a lucrative endorsement deal

12:39 ET, 23 May 2025Updated 12:40 ET, 23 May 2025

Quinn Ewers first pro endorsement deal should help ease the pain of leaving NIL money on the table(Image: Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

Quinn Ewers has shown that his leap to the NFL can be just as profitable as earning through NIL deals in college following news of his Panini agreement.

The 22-year-old wrapped up his impressive and lucrative college career with the Texas Longhorns by declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft after the conclusion of the 2024 season. He was eventually picked by the Miami Dolphins in the seventh round with the 231st overall pick.

Despite being chosen in the final round, Ewers feels he’s landed in a “good spot.”

This comes after he reportedly turned down a $6-million NIL deal to transfer from Texas after three seasons, opting instead for a less lucrative $4.3-million rookie contract with the Dolphins. However, it’s been suggested that his NIL payout could have hit $8 million in 2025 had he stayed.

READ MORE: Steelers president backs off after Aaron Rodgers’ personal issues come to lightREAD MORE: Timberwolves-Thunder referee slapped and given bloody nose as game halted after seconds

His rookie contract is still nothing to scoff at, with Ewers set to pocket $1.075 million annually over four seasons at Hard Rock Stadium. If he had any regrets about the money he left on the table by moving to the NFL, his latest endorsement deal might have eased the sting a bit.

On Friday, Ewers revealed that he had inked an exclusive autograph trading card deal with Panini for his NFL trading cards. The next day, it was disclosed that the deal is worth $3 million, according to a source with “knowledge of the arrangement”, NBC reports.

His decision to swap a more profitable NIL deal for a rookie NFL contract is already proving fruitful, as he’s landed a hefty endorsement deal on top of it — the largest payday for any seventh-round draft pick in his first season.

The former Texas quarterback turned down a huge NIL deal to move to the NFL(Image: Getty Images)

On the field, Ewers will have to compete with starting QB Tua Tagovailoa and Zach Wilson for a regular-season roster spot. However, his Panini deal alone, worth nearly 70% of his total on-field salary, certainly cushions the blow as he gears up for his debut professional season.

The same can’t be said for former Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, whose dramatic drop in the NFL Draft significantly impacted his potential earnings.

After departing the Buffaloes with a $6.5-million NIL valuation, the second-highest in all of college sports, Deion Sanders’ son will now kick off his NFL career with a base salary of roughly $1.15 million, having seen his potential earnings drastically cut due to falling to the fifth round.

READ MORE: Jaxson Dart appears to throw shade at Shedeur Sanders – ‘You better be prepared’READ MORE: Shedeur Sanders’ feelings clear on Browns QBs as he makes alarming confidence admission

Had Sanders been selected with the first overall pick as some had forecasted months earlier, he could have raked in a staggering $48 million from his rookie contract.

While his new paycheck is still a hefty sum for the average American worker, it’s a far cry from the millions he was projected to earn if his draft predictions had held steady. Prior to being picked 144th, Sanders was the second-highest NIL earner, trailing only Texas wunderkind Arch Manning.

Despite being ranked as the second-best quarterback prospect following last season’s evaluations, five quarterbacks were selected ahead of Sanders. Dillon Gabriel of Oregon, a Heisman finalist who Sanders once outpaced, was drafted by Cleveland in the third round.

BEREA, OHIO - MAY 09: Shedeur Sanders #12 of the Cleveland Browns participates in drill during rookie minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 09, 2025 in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images)

Shedeur Sanders was picked 144th in the fifth round of the NFL Draft(Image: Getty Images)

This pick secured Gabriel an estimated yearly salary of $1.2 million.

Cam Ward, the top overall pick in the same draft, landed a contract worth nearly $49 million with a staggering $32 million signing bonus after being chosen by the Tennessee Titans. Sanders’ former Colorado teammate Travis Hunter managed to snag a $46.5m contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Link

NIL

Kentucky remains No. 3 seed in latest Field of 64 Projections

It was an unflattering four-game stretch for Kentucky heading into Monday’s NCAA Tournament Selection Show, as it lost four consecutive games to end the regular season and SEC Tournament with a 29-24 (13-17) record. The ‘Cats however are still a consensus No. 3 seed in the latest Field of 64 Projections. D1Baseball, Baseball America and […]

Published

11 minutes ago

May 24, 2025

Your Sports Nation

D1Baseball, Baseball America and College Baseball Central all have the ‘Cats solidly in the field as a No. 3 seed. They are not among the “Last Four In” in any projection. If selected, it would mark the third consecutive season that Kentucky would be apart of the field (first time ever) although it would be the first time since 2014 that it will not be hosting a Regional in Lexington.

Kentucky is the No. 3 seed in the Conway Regional according to D1Baseball, joined by No. 1 seed Coastal Carolina, No. 2 seed NC State and No. 4 seed USC Upstate. Both the ‘Cats and NC State made the College World Series last season, where Mitch Daly’s walk-off home run lifted Kentucky to a win over the Wolfpack in Omaha.

The ‘Cats are the No. 3 seed in the Clemson Regional according to BOTH Baseball America and College Baseball Central. Clemson is the No. 1 seed in both projections, while No. 2 Southern Miss and No. 4 Rider are projected in Baseball America. Northeastern is the No. 2 seed and George Mason is the No. 4 seed in College Baseball Central’s projections.

Northeastern is team Kentucky will definitely want to avoid, as the No. 19 ranked Huskies boast the nation’s best team earned run average (2.94 ERA).

Although it made an early exit from the 2025 SEC Tournament, Kentucky fell just one spot to No. 37 in the RPI Rankings. The ‘Cats are 8-19 against Q1 teams, 4-1 against Q2 teams, 7-3 against Q3 teams and 10-1 against Q4 teams. Teams that have beaten Kentucky this season (No. 35 RPI Xavier and No. 46 Western Kentucky) remain on the bubble.

More Kentucky News and Views on the KSR YouTube Channel

Kentucky Sports Radio has expanded its coverage of the Wildcats in the most ridiculous manner possible on our YouTube Channel. Here you will be able to find interviews with coaches and players, as well as commentary from the KSR crew. From Rapid Reactions following big events to our lengthy lineup of live shows, subscribe to the KSR YouTube Channel to stay up to date on everything happening around the Big Blue Nation.

Link

NIL

College football must accept ‘change’ with USC-Notre Dame in peril: Lincoln Riley

Change is the order of the day in college football, whether it be NIL, the transfer portal, conference realignment, the expansion of the playoff to 12 and possibly 16 teams, and the future prospect of directly paying players. While scores of fans and purists see a distortion of the game they love and its tradition, […]

Published

1 hour ago

May 24, 2025

Your Sports Nation

While scores of fans and purists see a distortion of the game they love and its tradition, USC coach Lincoln Riley thinks opportunity is right around the corner.

“There are some changes that we’ve all just gotta accept, because it’s just part of it right now,” Riley said in comments to Always College Football.

“Obviously that continues to move, and we’ll see how it evolves. But I think any door that closes, there’s also a new, really exciting door that’s getting opened.”

He added: “I think we can still love what was in the past, but let’s don’t miss that there’s some pretty cool things happening right in front of our faces right now that we’re kind of all in the forefront of.”

Riley’s comments come against the backdrop of a Sports Illustrated report that USC’s rivalry series against Notre Dame could be “on the brink of ending” as the schools don’t have a contract in place to play again after the 2025 football season.

Riley himself addressed the possibility of USC no longer playing Notre Dame in comments last offseason, noting that schools have to adapt to the current incentives.

Losing a historic rivalry like that, which is set to turn 100 next season, is another stark reminder of the very strict conditions that schools have to work in in a new environment where playoff selection, and appeasing the CFP committee, is king.

But even if other rivalry games may be the cost we pay for college football’s changes, other interesting series will result from it, Riley assures fans.

“If you love college football, then are you going to scroll on your TV past USC-Ohio State? No, you’re not,” he said.

“All of these things have to start somewhere. Is there some change that I understand people are having a hard time coming to grips with? Sure. I get it. But the alternative is pretty darn good. It’s creating some incredible matchups.”

He added: “Our sport’s in a great place. We still have one of the greatest products in the greatest sport in the world. Let’s don’t forget that.”

—

Link

NIL

Report: Green Bay files waiver with NCAA to participate in $1 million The Basketball Tournament

Wisconsin-Green Bay has reportedly filed for a waiver with the NCAA to participate in The Basketball Tournament, a non-certified winner-take-all summer tournament with a $1 million payout, according to ESPN. The waiver request was filed last week, according to ESPN’s Kyle Bonagura, and acknowledges the tournament doesn’t fall within the NCAA’s legislated exceptions. Instead, the […]

Published

2 hours ago

May 24, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Wisconsin-Green Bay has reportedly filed for a waiver with the NCAA to participate in The Basketball Tournament, a non-certified winner-take-all summer tournament with a $1 million payout, according to ESPN.

The waiver request was filed last week, according to ESPN’s Kyle Bonagura, and acknowledges the tournament doesn’t fall within the NCAA’s legislated exceptions. Instead, the waiver argues TBT is a “suitable replacement for a foreign tour” that the NCAA allows college programs to participate in once every four years, according to ESPN.

“When you play overseas, these teams that go to France, Spain, Belgium, whatever, those aren’t NCAA-sanctioned games,” Green Bay head coach Doug Gottlieb said, per ESPN. “So the NCAA’s argument is, ‘Hey, in summer competition, you can’t play these games in the United States. They’re not NCAA-sanctioned.’ So if I played this exact same game three hours north of here in Canada, it’d be OK. It doesn’t make sense.”

Green Bay athletic director Josh Moon also made the point that participating in a true foreign tour can be cost-prohibitive for a small-school program, and by playing in the TBT, it provides a similar experience against elite competition without necessarily enduring massive travel expenses.

“Let’s not worry about the prize money right now, but that could go to a charity, just let us play,” Moon told ESPN. “It’s really about our team and trying to give them opportunities.”

Green Bay’s waiver request reportedly has the full support of Horizon League commissioner Julie Roe Lach and the organizers of The Basketball Tournament, per ESPN.

“The idea of undergraduate teams or student-athletes participating and competing against retired players or current professionals overseas or any number of other types of teams that we get is really appealing to us,” TBT CEO Jon Mugar told ESPN. “We have a long track record of working with and partnering with universities through alumni teams, and now it makes a lot of sense to do that through their actual teams.”

Green Bay reportedly filed a similar request in 2024, but the NCAA’s denial came too late to mount a proper appeal of the ruling, according to ESPN. The Phoenix went 4-28 in Gottlieb’s first season as head coach following a longtime career with Fox Sports Radio.

Link

NIL

USC Legend Keyshawn Johnson Predicts Eight

Throughout his illustrious career on the football field and across media, Keyshawn Johnson remains one of the most outspoken voice in sports. Had he played at USC during the NIL era, he would surely be one of the top earners in the country. The former Trojan All-American and eventual No. 1 NFL Draft selection recently […]

Published

2 hours ago

May 24, 2025

Your Sports Nation

USC Legend Keyshawn Johnson Predicts Eight

The former Trojan All-American and eventual No. 1 NFL Draft selection recently dove deep on the current landscape and his own potential NIL earnings with New England Patriots’ Hall of Farmer Julian Edelman.

Appearing on Edelman’s “Games with Names” podcast, Johnson shared new insights from his time in the NFL and talked about his college experience at USC. Wearing a Trojans sweatshirt, the Super Bowl champion also gave his perspective on the transfer portal and predicted what his NIL value would have been, had it been legal during his day.

“Based on what these Arch Manning’s are getting, I was probably a $10 million a year guy,” Johnson declared.

Manning – one of the most highly regarded earners in NIL today – has partnerships with the likes of Red Bull, Vuori, Uber, and Panini, among others. His value should raise even higher as he is set to start for Texas next season, taking over for now-Miami Dolphins rookie Quinn Ewers.

When asked if he would leave USC for NIL opportunities at another school, Johnson was emphatic that he would stay in Los Angeles, alluding to compensation outside of NIL, which wasn’t legal in his day.

“Oh I’m staying at USC,” he said. “The reason is because we can pay. I’m a loyal person, I’m not a bounce-around guy. I’m not going to leave because someone is offering me $4 million versus $2.5. I’m not going to jump around and run.”

“NIL wasn’t NIL but I still got what I needed, even thought it wasn’t NIL,” he continued. “You see what I’m saying? Wink wink.”

During Johnson’s two-year USC career, he was twice an All-American and set a conference and school record for receptions in a season with 102. He also set an NCAA record of 12 consecutive games with over 100 receiving yards, while leading the Trojans to Cotton Bowl and Rose Bowl victories, earning MVP honors in both bowl games.

The Jets made Johnson the No. 1 pick in the 1996 NFL Draft and he went on to earn Pro Bowl nods three times and won Super Bowl XXXVII with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before retiring and transitioning to a successful media career in 2007. After years on ESPN – both TV and radio – Johnson is now featured on “Speak” on FS1.

Johnson’s alma mater looks to rebound from a 7-6 season in 2024, when USC kicks of the new campaign on August 30 at home against Missouri State.

NIL

What New College Football Playoff Format Means For Colorado Buffaloes

The College Football Playoff is shifting once more, heavily affecting coach Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes’ future in the Big 12 Conference. Starting this fall, the 12-team CFP will transition to a straight seeding model that rewards the selection committee’s top four teams with the top four seeds and a first-round bye. In other […]

Published

2 hours ago

May 23, 2025

Your Sports Nation