Unlike the US, there is no standalone ‘personality right’ or ‘right of publicity’ in Ireland. Instead, people have to rely on more traditional laws relating to intellectual property (IP), privacy and defamation to protect and manage the use of their image. Trade mark Trade mark law could be used to prevent unauthorised use of a […]
Unlike the US, there is no standalone ‘personality right’ or ‘right of publicity’ in Ireland. Instead, people have to rely on more traditional laws relating to intellectual property (IP), privacy and defamation to protect and manage the use of their image.
Trade mark
Trade mark law could be used to prevent unauthorised use of a person’s name. However, in practice, this will most likely be invoked by celebrities and public figures as they often register their names or images as trade marks. Registration of a trade mark enables the owner to prevent the registration/use of a later identical or similar mark in relation to the same or similar goods and/or services where there is a likelihood of confusion or association. It is important to note however, that a registered trade mark for a name cannot prevent a natural person from using their own name.
Some public figures, such as Australian model Elle MacPherson and former English soccer player Wayne Rooney, have registered their names as EU trade marks while Dutch model Maartje Verhoef successfully registered an image of her face as an EU trade mark. However, the registrability of such images has not been consistent in the EU and it is unclear whether this will be possible in the future given the recent refusal by the EU IP Office to register a trade mark depicting the image of the Dutch singer Jan Smit. That decision has been appealed so it remains to be seen whether the European stance in respect of image trade marks will change.
Passing off
In certain circumstances, the law of passing off could be used to restrain unauthorised use of one’s name or image. If a person is able to show a reputation or goodwill in their name or image, misrepresentation likely to deceive the public, as well as damage, then they may succeed in a claim for passing off. However, this is only likely to be used by celebrities or public figures who have traded under their names or images, thereby, building up goodwill. For example, in the UK, Rihanna successfully used the law of passing off to prevent fashion retailer Topshop from selling t shirts with a photo of Rihanna without her consent.
Right to privacy
An individual’s right to privacy is protected by the Irish Constitution as an unenumerated right. In addition, it is also protected by the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. However, the right to privacy is not absolute and must be balanced with the right to freedom of expression.
In general, the publication of a photo taken of an individual is not a breach of privacy, but this will depend on a number of factors, such as whether the subject of the photograph had a reasonable expectation of privacy, whether the photo was taken in a public or private place, if the photograph was of a sensitive nature and whether there is a public interest in the publication of the photograph. For example, in the UK, Naomi Campbell successfully sued Mirror Group Newspapers for publishing photographs of her leaving a drug rehabilitation clinic. The House of Lords held that the publication of such photographs had breached her right to privacy under the ECHR.
Defamation
The law of defamation might be of assistance in protecting one’s image where the use of a person’s name or image or likeness is used in a defamatory manner. A “defamatory statement” is one that tends to injure a person’s reputation in the eyes of reasonable members of society. While there have been no reported decisions in Ireland to date, legal proceedings have been taken by public figures in Ireland against social media platforms and users where their image has been used, without authorisation, to advertise goods and services on social media.
In such cases, a person can seek a Norwich Pharmacal Order from the Court, which requires the social media platform to disclosure information about the anonymous users responsible for the misleading advertisements or posts. For example, in 2023, then Tánaiste (and politician) Michéal Martin issued proceedings against Google seeking information about those that used his name and image in an online financial advertising scam. Following discussions between the parties, it was agreed that the court could make an order requiring Google to provide information about the adverts including the names, email addresses and telephone numbers relating to the accounts associated with them.
Data protection legislation
It may be possible to rely on data privacy laws, namely the GDPR, to prevent dissemination of a photos, audio or video recordings of an individual. Such content is regarded as ‘personal data’ and accordingly data controllers are required to demonstrate a lawful basis for processing such data. Where such content is disseminated online, a data subject can also rely on the ‘right to be forgotten’ to secure the removal of outdated, irrelevant or manifestly inaccurate information from the web.
Consumer protection legislation and advertising standards
Where one’s image, voice or likeness is used in advertising and marketing materials without consent, consumer legislation and advertising standards may be of assistance in securing the removal of the unauthorised material.
Consumer protection legislation prohibits misleading commercial practices including those that are likely to cause the average consumer to be deceived or misled in relation to the commercial origin of a product or service, or the trader’s identity or affiliation with others. The unauthorised use of someone’s image in advertising material to suggest that they endorse or are affiliated with a product could arguably be considered a misleading commercial practice. Complaints can be made to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, the body responsible for enforcing consumer protection legislation.
In addition, the Advertising Standards Authority for Ireland (ASAI) investigates complaints regarding non-compliance by its members with its Code of Standards for Advertising and Marketing Communications in Ireland. The ASAI is an independent self-regulatory body which promotes, regulates and enforces advertising standards in Ireland. This can be an effective and inexpensive way for an individual to seek the removal of an advertisement that uses their image without consent.
Section 3.27 of the ASAI Code states that advertisers should have written permission before portraying or referring to a living person in a marketing communication. In 2018, for example, a complaint by the Gaelic Players Association was upheld against the Irish gambling company, Paddy Power for their unauthorised use of the images of certain Gaelic Athletic Association players in an advertisement. In that case, the advertisements had run for a specific period and were no longer in circulation and so the company was told not to use the advertisement again.
Further developments
Established by the Irish government just over a year ago, the AI Advisory Council is an independent body established to provide expert advice to the Irish government on all aspects of artificial intelligence. In its recent paper on ‘The impact of AI on Ireland’s Creative Sector’ (8 pages/119 KB), one of the Council’s recommendations included the possibility of Ireland introducing a “personality right,” as seen in certain US States and currently under discussion in the UK.
The Council has suggested that Ireland consider promoting the introduction of such legislation at an EU level. They expressed the view that this would provide robust legal protection for individuals, including public figures, against unauthorised digital cloning or imitation of their likeness, voice, or persona by AI systems. Such a measure would not only safeguard individuals from economic exploitation by unauthorised AI-generated imitations but would also address privacy and reputational threats posed by deepfakes as well as promote ethical AI development by ensuring accountability for AI-generated likenesses.
On 1 April, the Protection of Voice and Image Bill 2025 was introduced to the Dáil. The short bill aims to address the “growing problem of deepfakes and the misuse of individual’s data” particularly by AI technologies. The bill creates a specific criminal offence where a person knowingly misuses an individual’s name, photograph, voice or likeness in any medium for the purpose of activities such as advertising, political activities and fundraising, without the individual’s consent, and with the intent to cause harm, or being reckless as to whether harm is caused. Harm includes interfering with an individual’s peace and privacy, or causing alarm or distress, and includes psychological harm. The bill introduced is a Private Members’ Bill. This means that it was initiated by a non-government member. Such bills are often initiated to draw attention to a particular issue or to focus public attention on a gap in the law. Whether the bill proceeds to adoption remains to be seen because in practice, the government often opposes Private Members’ Bills. We will keep a close eye on developments. In the meantime, the introduction of the bill signalises a growing concern in relation to the misuse of voice image and likeness and the need to address same.
While Ireland does not have a standalone image or personality right, some protection is afforded by the traditional avenues outlined above.. However, this may not be enough. With the increasingly rapid speed at which content is disseminated online and with emergence of new technology, such as AI, enabling the manipulation of images and voices for commercial gain or otherwise, the need for a standalone right to protect against such misuse is becoming increasingly urgent.
David Pollack voices harsh criticism of Jackson Cantwell’s reported NIL deal
Even though it has been a week since five-star offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell announced his commitment to Miami (FL), the discourse surrounding this decision has not slowed down. Georgia football head coach Kirby Smart was one of the first people to indirectly comment on Cantwell’s decision, saying that he would never pay an incoming freshman […]
Even though it has been a week since five-star offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell announced his commitment to Miami (FL), the discourse surrounding this decision has not slowed down.
Make way for the Euro Invasion: Why more international stars are choosing college basketball over the pros
CHICAGO — Vlad Goldin is a trailblazer, of sorts. The Michigan big man, a Voronezh, Russia, native, left his home country almost six years ago to come to the United States to chase his hoop dreams. He didn’t see his parents, Alexander and Lubov, for nearly five years while he jetted from Putnam to Lubbock […]
CHICAGO — Vlad Goldin is a trailblazer, of sorts. The Michigan big man, a Voronezh, Russia, native, left his home country almost six years ago to come to the United States to chase his hoop dreams. He didn’t see his parents, Alexander and Lubov, for nearly five years while he jetted from Putnam to Lubbock to Boca Raton to Ann Arbor.
The allure of college basketball’s bright lights drew Goldin to the United States, but he also believed it was his best chance to parlay that into an opportunity to play in the NBA. That bet proved wise. After a dominant senior season at Michigan, Goldin earned a spot in the 2025 NBA Draft Combine. His professional career is already firmly underway, but it will shift into overdrive in under six weeks when Goldin finds out which NBA franchise he’s suiting up for.
Posted up alone at a table 10 feet to Goldin’s right sits Neoklis Avdalas. The Greek wing, who turned 19 years old in February, offers a bit of a reminder of Goldin’s past and a glimpse at how much things are changing.
Avdalas played well in multiple scrimmages last week in front of NBA decision-makers, but the 6-foot-8 wing is not a lock to get drafted. He’s already taken visits to Baylor and Virginia Tech as he prepares to pivot to college basketball if he doesn’t get a guaranteed contract. Avdalas is not alone. There are a whopping 34 international prospects currently committed to high-major teams, and Avdalas is one of numerous big-name free agents who could be needle-moving additions for a college basketball team in the coming weeks.
There’s a real possibility that the final number of international players at the high-major ranks soars past 40 next season. And that’s not counting mid-major programs, like St. Bonaventure, who has become an attractive destination, too.
“I think it’s great for the sport to mix American athleticism with European minds,” said Florida star Walter Clayton Jr.
The Balkan Brothers
Tomislav Ivisic averaged 13 points and 7.7 rebounds per game in 2024-25.
Getty Images
In a way, Illinois is the face of the new era of international recruiting that Gonzaga used to dominate. Lithuanian star Kasparas Jakucionis was one of the best freshmen guards in the country this past season at Illinois. Instead of wading into the transfer portal market last spring, Illinois targeted Croatian center Tomislav Ivisic out of the Adriatic League to fill its massive frontcourt void. That turned out to be one of the best return-on-investment moves of the entire 2024 roster-building cycle. No Big Ten big man made more 3s than Ivisic (55). Illinois gets him for a second season and he’s also firmly on 2026 NBA Draft radars now.
Win, win, win.
Illinois coach Brad Underwood has ramped it up into overdrive this spring. Illinois landed Serbian point guard Mihailo Petrovic and Montenegrin forward David Mirkovic from the international market this spring. Arkansas transfer Zvonimir Ivisic transferred to Illinois to play with Tomislav, his twin brother. Oh, and that international flair is another big reason why Cal transfer Andrej Stojakovic opted to pick the Illini over North Carolina. Andrej’s father, Peja, is one of the best Serbian hoopers in NBA history.
Illinois trotting out a Petrovic-Stojakovic-Mirkovic-Ivisic-Ivisic lineup is not likely, mostly due to perimeter defensive questions, but it’s not impossible, either, to the chagrin of copy editors everywhere.
“It’s pretty cool to see that Illinois has started recruiting more and more Europeans,” Jakucionis told CBS Sports. “Before me, before Tomislav, it wasn’t a lot of European guys going over to Illinois. That was a bit of a risky decision for me, but I’m really happy I made that choice. They trusted me. I trusted them. Now, you can see their trust in European players.”
Balkan Brad, indeed.
Underwood’s merry band of Balkan Brothers has become a real talking point in college basketball circles, even at the NBA Draft Combine. Auburn All-American Johni Broome joined Goldin in bringing up Illinois’ roster build unprompted. They’re both fascinated by how a European-heavy roster will fare in the Big Ten.
Illinois did not just magically become the kingpin of international recruiting. Illinois assistants Orlando Antigua and Geoff Alexander have racked up serious frequent-flyer miles to make inroads in the global market. Alexander scouted Jakucionis for three years before he suited up in the orange and blue. Antigua had ties to the Ivisic family for years, dating back to when he helped Kentucky land Zvonimir ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.
“It’s been a lot of work, a lot of miles, a lot of stamps on the passport,” Alexander told Illini Inquirer last November. “Just being over there in front of them, being at every event that we’re allowed to and then some more … I treat it like its own AAU circuit, like the EYBL. Just like we evaluate the 16s and 17s and watch them. I think you got to do the same over there.”
Money talks
The money boom in college basketball is behind all of this. Some college teams can pay up to 10 times what European clubs offer. In the early days, international products like Goldin (and Purdue’s Zach Edey) had to finagle ways to legally earn money off Name, Image and Likeness. Having the correct visa was vital and often hard to get.
With pay-for-play here to stay, the top talents from the international scene are flocking to the United States to cash in and follow the blueprint set by Jakucionis, Ivisic, Goldin and BYU’s Egor Demin.
It’s also offered college basketball programs another avenue to build a roster that’s not quite as costly. In the salary-cap age, every dollar matters and some teams have found international recruiting to be a way to thread the needle and tap into a market inefficiency. The A-tier names in the portal, high school ranks and international frontier are commanding serious dough, but there is no discount in the middle class of the transfer portal where a rock-solid, 3-and-D role player can also command over seven figures.
With international recruiting skyrocketing, the money will certainly go up, but most in college basketball circles still believe that it’s still third in the pecking order, cost-wise, for now.
The transfer portal
Traditional high school/prep recruiting
International
Junior College
Division II, III, NAIA
‘The stock rises’
A Frenchman has been the No. 1 overall pick in back-to-back NBA Drafts (Victor Wembanyama and Zaccharie Risacher). That is going to change next month when the Dallas Mavericks select Duke’s Cooper Flagg, barring something cataclysmic. Jakucionis, Demin and Duke big man Khaman Maluach are expected to be the highest-drafted international products in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Twelve months ago in early 2025 lookaheads, that was not the case. Dazzling French point guard Nolan Traore and Spain wing Hugo Gonzalez were regarded as top-10 picks for the 2025 NBA Draft, ahead of Jakucionis and Demin.
Jakucionis took a bit of a risk leaving an opportunity with FC Barcelona to play at Illinois, but he’s seemingly jumped Traore in the pecking order.
BYU paid a hefty buyout (and another steep NIL agreement on top of that) to get Demin, a Russian prodigy, to leave Real Madrid for Provo.
Gonzalez was another BYU target, but he chose to stay at Real Madrid, where he’s struggled to get real playing time for one of the top Euro League clubs. Maybe the flip-flop would have happened regardless, but it’s clear that college basketball helped both Demin and Jakucionis cement themselves as lottery-pick-caliber guards, while the lack of consistent playing time has certainly hurt Gonzalez’s stock.
The top international talents have taken notice of the recent trends.
“The stock rises,” Avdalas says. “Everybody is here in the U.S. can see you play and watch you. It would be a great step for me if I can’t make it (to the NBA) right now. It’s a new thing for Europeans. I looked around and I was like, ‘I want to do it too.’ All the guys from college can make it to the NBA.”
Leaving home is hard and not for everybody. Even with an up-and-down year, Traore is going to be a first-round pick. Maybe he’s not a top-5 pick anymore, but the 6-foot-5 point guard’s appeal and talent are so obvious. Choosing to stay close to family in France instead of playing for Gonzaga, Duke or Alabama was not an egregious decision by any means. Seven-foot-3 Australian center Rocco Zikarsky chose to play for the NBL’s Brisbane Bullets instead of the college route. He’s a candidate to go in the second round.
“I’m a homebody,” Zikarsky told CBS Sports. “I watched the NBL growing up. When that became an option for me, it crept into my mind that I would love to play for a team that I watched growing up. I got to play with Aron Baynes who was one of my idols growing up. That was really special. But the money now is insane at college. The college market is getting blown out. That can set people up for a long time. I think it’s great that internationals are making their way over. Although my preference was the NBL, other guys have other preferences. I think it’s a really positive step for basketball overall.”
But Australians like Florida’s Alex Condon and ex-Kansas wing Johnny Furphy have showcased what’s possible at the college ranks.
That left an imprint on coveted Australian shooting guard Ben Henshall, who was also a strong performer at the NBA Draft Combine. Henshall noted that he’s “locked in” on trying to get drafted, but if he chooses the college route, title contenders like Texas Tech and Florida are hot in pursuit.
“Being in the states, there’s a lot more scouts around,” Henshall says. “I don’t feel like a lot of these guys got to see me in Australia. The money is crazy right now, but it has a lot to do with more exposure here.”
Who’s actually good and who’s next?
The consensus is that college basketball has become the second-best league in the world, behind the NBA, so it’s natural that college basketball roster-building has started to emulate the NBA’s scour-the-globe approach.
Henshall and Avdalas are serious high-major targets, but Italian wing Dame Sarr may be the best free agent on the board right now, right next to the biggest names in the transfer portal like Darrion Williams, PJ Haggerty, Boogie Fland, Jamir Watkins or RJ Luis. Kansas was in pole position for the sleek, 6-foot-8 stud, but when Duke commit Cedric Coward started blowing up at the NBA Draft Combine, coach Jon Scheyer pivoted to make Sarr a massive priority.
Sarr has not made a decision yet, but he’s going to be at a blue blood next year for a reason.
Montenegrin wing Luka Bogavac, who will turn 22 in September, is another major name to know. He could be a significant needle-moving addition for wing-needy teams late in the process. Mario Saint-Supery is a Spanish point guard who is firmly entrenched with Gonzaga. Virginia has its sights set on Thijs De Ridder, a 22-year-old Belgian stud, who could team up with German product Johann Grünloh to give new Cavaliers coach Ryan Odom one of the best frontcourts in the ACC next season.
Those are just the new names to stack on top of a group of international products that will have a serious imprint on college basketball next season.
If Illinois wants to be one of the Big Ten’s best, Mirkovic and Petrovic need to be trusty rotation players, at minimum.
Washington has loaded up in the portal, headlined by USC transfer Wesley Yates III and East Tennessee State stud Quimari Peterson, but German 19-year-old forward Hannes Steinbach will have a major say in whether Danny Sprinkle’s group competes for an at-large bid in Year 2.
Louisville has its sights set on a special 2025-26. It can’t happen without 6-foot-11 big man Sananda Fru being an impact player. The German star will turn 22 in August, so he’s no typical freshman.
“(Fru) is different,” said Penn State big man Yanic Konan Niederhauser, who grew up in Switzerland and played in Germany in 2021-22 before coming over to the U.S. to hoop at Northern Illinois. “I really like his game. I think he’s going to be a big problem for the NCAA.”
None of this is ending any time soon. International clubs, especially in Europe, are scrambling to figure out ways to keep talent close to home, but money talks. The NCAA is scrambling to figure out eligibility red tape. Tomislav Ivisic was ruled a sophomore when he got cleared last summer. Illinois is not expecting Petrovic, who just turned 22, to have four years of eligibility. Fru will very likely not be ruled as a freshman with four years of eligibility.
In a way, dozens of international imports are closer to transfer portal additions than traditional freshmen.
5 international hoopers you need to know
Dame Sarr
Uncommitted
High-flying, two-way wing who will play in the NBA soon.
Neoklis Avdalas
Uncommitted
Sleek 6-foot-8 wing handler who can shoot it and find a role on any roster.
Johann Grunloh
Virginia
Sweet-shooting 7-footer who can protect the rim.
Sananda Fru
Louisville
Mobile big man who offers serious defensive appeal.
Ben Henshall
Uncommitted
Shooting guard with real positional size and a strap.
Goldin must only laugh at the new reality. He certainly was not the first European player to leave home to play college basketball, but the ecosystem that Goldin entered and the college basketball sphere that he is exiting couldn’t be farther apart.
“It’s beautiful,” Goldin says. “It’s exploring basketball. There are different styles of basketball. Illinois is going to have such a different style this year because they have like so many international guys. I think it just makes it better. You can turn on a game and see something you haven’t seen before. I’m all for it. I love it.”
Oregon Ducks Athletics Win Incredible 8th Big Ten Title With Baseball, Track Victorie
The Oregon Ducks wrapped up their first athletic calendar year as a member of the Big Ten Conference. It was a year of transition as Oregon had previously been in the Pac-8/Pac-10/Pac-12 for over a half century. Being in the Big Ten, Oregon faced off against teams all across the country. It made for a […]
The Oregon Ducks wrapped up their first athletic calendar year as a member of the Big Ten Conference. It was a year of transition as Oregon had previously been in the Pac-8/Pac-10/Pac-12 for over a half century.
Being in the Big Ten, Oregon faced off against teams all across the country. It made for a hectic travel schedule but that didn’t seem to phase the Ducks. Oregon finished the year winning eight different Big Ten championships across numerous sports.
Dec 7, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks celebrate defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions to win the Big Ten Championship in the 2024 Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images / Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
The Oregon Ducks finished at the top of the Big Ten in eight sports. Oregon won the Big Ten in football, baseball, softball, men’s indoor track and field, men’s outdoor track and field, women’s indoor track and field, women’s cross country, and women’s golf.
The driving force of what has caused the conference realignment across collegiate sports is football. In Oregon’s first year in the Big Ten, they won the conference title. The Ducks ran the table in the regular season, going a perfect 12-0. This set up a Big Ten championship game with the Penn State Nittany Lions.
Oregon took care of business against Penn State, winning their first Big Ten conference football championship in their first season. The season did not end how Oregon wanted, as after earning the No. 1 spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff, they fell in the quarterfinals to Ohio State at the Rose Bowl.
The season should still be considered a massive success. Additionally, after the season, Oregon had a program record 10 players selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Ducks also landed the No. 2 2025 recruiting class according to 247Sports.
MORE: Oregon Ducks Land 5-Star Recruit Richard Wesley: Next Kayvon Thibodeaux?
MORE: Denver Broncos’ Bo Nix Welcomes Every Rookie With Clear Message
Oregon’s Carter Garate (3) reacts after hitting a grand slam against Iowa during a Big Ten conference baseball game May 15, 2025 at Duane Banks Field in Iowa City, Iowa. / Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Oregon Ducks baseball and softball team each won their respective Big Ten championships. The Ducks baseball team clinched the Big Ten title over the weekend in their sweep over the Iowa Hawkeyes. Oregon’s softball team took home the Big Ten title two weeks prior.
Both will look to keep their dreams alive of making the College World Series in the coming days. Oregon softball walked it off over Stanford on Sunday night to secure a spot in the Super Regional. Oregon baseball on the other hand is getting ready to play in the Big Ten tournament .
Oregon’s Pat Vialva, carries the Big Ten Trophy during day three of the Big Ten Outdoor Track and Field Championships on May 18, 2025, at Hayward Field in Eugene. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Oregon Ducks have established themselves as a premier program in track and field. The Oregon men won the Big Ten title in both indoor and outdoor track and field. The women won the Big Ten in indoor track and field.
Additionally, Oregon’s women’s cross country and golf teams also were able to bring home Big Ten championships. Overall, the Ducks could not have asked for a better first year in this conference.
Talking Zags: NIL is the ‘Wild, Wild West,’ Gonzaga’s challenges, community-driven approach | Gonzaga Men’s Basketball
SPOKANE, Wash. — Former Gonzaga standout guard Derek Raivio is back in Spokane and taking on a key role in the evolving world of college athletics. Raivio, now the general manager of Gonzaga’s NIL collective, joined Dan Dickau on the most recent episode of Talking Zags to discuss how name, image and likeness (NIL) has […]
SPOKANE, Wash. — Former Gonzaga standout guard Derek Raivio is back in Spokane and taking on a key role in the evolving world of college athletics. Raivio, now the general manager of Gonzaga’s NIL collective, joined Dan Dickau on the most recent episode of Talking Zags to discuss how name, image and likeness (NIL) has changed the college sports landscape and how the Zags are navigating it.
“It’s an ever-changing and unique landscape right now,” Raivio said. “The rules seem to change every month. To this point, it’s kind of been the wild, wild West.”
Raivio said his role with the collective focuses on helping current Gonzaga players maximize their NIL value through partnerships with local businesses in Spokane. Unlike some programs nationally, Raivio said Gonzaga’s collective requires athletes to provide services or promotional work in exchange for compensation.
“You can go out around the country and a lot of these businesses and collectives aren’t requiring that. It’s legit pay-for-play,” Raivio said. “We’re doing true NIL deals with local businesses, and for us to stay competitive, we need that.”
The former WCC Co-Player of the Year in 2007 said Gonzaga has made steady progress in the NIL space over the last year and a half, but acknowledged the challenges of operating in an unregulated market where bidding wars have become common.
Dickau noted the difficulties of NIL’s rapid growth, pointing out that without a salary cap like in professional sports, programs often operate in secrecy with little contract transparency.
“There’s part of it where there’s billions of dollars are being made and profited off these kids playing, which I think they’re entitled and should earn some compensation,” Raivio said.
Looking ahead, Raivio said a significant shift is expected on July 1, when a clearinghouse will reportedly begin auditing NIL payments through firms like Deloitte. He hopes this creates a “false salary cap” to restore a sense of parity in college athletics.
“My hope is there’s this cap after July 1 where everything is running through the system,” Raivio said. “Because if you’re a Cooper Flagg, go get your money — you deserve that, your adding value to New Balance or AT&T, but right now, it’s not really like that. Some schools are doing that, but a majority aren’t.”
Raivio also pointed to upcoming revenue-sharing changes in college sports, which will allow universities to distribute up to $20.5 million across their athletic programs, with a significant portion likely headed to football and basketball.
As Gonzaga prepares for the move to a restructured Pac-12 conference, Raivio emphasized the importance of continued NIL growth and local business involvement to keep the Bulldogs nationally competitive.
“We need more involvement, more community, more reach-out with that,” he said. “These local business leaders need to step up and say, ‘Hey, how can we help?’”
Vandy transfer guard Iyana Moore adds to Notre Dame WBB roster rebuild
The substantial roster-rebuilding for Notre Dame women’s basketball coach Niele Ivey continued on Monday with perhaps the most impactful addition to date. Vanderbilt point guard Iyana Moore becomes the fourth player from the transfer portal this offseason to join three holdovers from last season’s ACC co-championship team as well as injured incoming freshman Leah Macy. […]
The substantial roster-rebuilding for Notre Dame women’s basketball coach Niele Ivey continued on Monday with perhaps the most impactful addition to date.
Vanderbilt point guard Iyana Moore becomes the fourth player from the transfer portal this offseason to join three holdovers from last season’s ACC co-championship team as well as injured incoming freshman Leah Macy. Moore announced her decision Monday on her Instagram page.
And if Ivey has her way, the Irish aren’t done yet.
Notre Dame starts summer classes and summer workouts on June 9 with a roster of eight scholarship plates so far.
The 5-foot-8 Moore is ND’s first addition in a little over a month. She joins April transfer signees Milaya Cowles, a 6-3 forward from Wake Forest, Kansas State 6-4 forward Gisela Sanchez, and Duke 5-8 guard Vanessa de Jesus. All of them, including Moore, have just one season of eligibility left.
The ND returnees are two-time All-America guard Hannah Hidalgo, a rising junior, senior guard Cass Prosper and senior guard KK Bransford, who redshirted this past season.
Notre Dame lost five players after last season to expired eligibility and four more to the transfer portal shortly after ND’s NCAA Tournament exit, 71-62 to TCU, in the Sweet 16 round on March 29.
Moore was a double -figures scorer and prolific 3-point shooter in all three of her active seasons with the Commodores. She missed her sophomore season, 2023, with an injury.
This past season, Moore averaged 12.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 32 games for a Vanderbilt team that went 22-11 overall, 8-8 in the SEC and reached the NCAA Tournament for the second season in a row.
She is a Milwaukee native and played her high school ball in Murfreesboro, Tenn., at Blackman High.
The deadline to enter the women’s college basketball players was April 23. Players can select schools after the portal window closes, but that was the deadline to submit their names.
All four of Notre Dame’s outgoing transfers found landing spots — second-team All-America guard Olivia Miles to TCU, freshman center Kate Koval to LSU, sophomore guard Emma Risch to Florida State and grad senior forward Kylee Watson to Villanova.
The Irish lost starters Maddy Westbeld, Sonia Citron and Liatu King to expired eligibility, as well as key reserve Liza Karlen and former walk-on Sarah Cernugel.
SQAIRZ BECOMES FIRST SPORTS SHOE BRAND RECOMMENDED FOR MANUSCRIPT …
WINDHAM, NH — In a groundbreaking step forward for sports performance footwear, SQAIRZ, known for its patented, stability-enhancing design, has become the first sports shoe brand ever to have its clinical research recommended for manuscript publication and selected for presentation at the prestigious American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) Annual Scientific Conference. Out […]
WINDHAM, NH — In a groundbreaking step forward for sports performance footwear, SQAIRZ, known for its patented, stability-enhancing design, has become the first sports shoe brand ever to have its clinical research recommended for manuscript publication and selected for presentation at the prestigious American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS) Annual Scientific Conference. Out of more than 400 poster submissions, only two footwear-related studies were accepted—both conducted on SQAIRZ products.
Led by Dr. Paul Klutts, a Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons and Fellowship Director at Kentuckiana Foot & Ankle in Louisville, KY, along with biomechanical analyst Chad Miller, the 10-month study examined the impact of SQAIRZ’s proprietary footwear technology on two key athletic performance metrics: ankle stability and pitching/hitting velocity. The findings were peer-reviewed and the research has now been formally recommended for manuscript submission and publication in the Journal of Foot & Ankle Surgery, a rare distinction in the world of athletic footwear that solidified SQAIRZ as the only clinically validated performance shoe on the market.
Study 1: Stability Gains Across Multi-Sport Athletes
The first study evaluated medial-to-lateral (side-to-side) motion of the subtalar (ankle) joint using a single-leg balance test (commonly known as the “wobble test”), or how often the ankle wobbles while standing on one foot. Among 55 multi-sport athletes (with an additional 200 to be included after a pickleball tournament in April), the results showed a 9% improvement in ankle stability when wearing SQAIRZ shoes. The data strongly supports the footwear’s unique role in minimizing injury risk and enhancing ground force connection across all land-based sports.
“As an authority on the lower extremity, I’ve extensively studied the impact of proper foot positioning on athletic performance,” stated Dr. Paul Klutts. “SQAIRZ GFP™ Baseball Shoes offer a unique advantage by improving balance, increasing ground force, and maximizing energy transfer. These features directly translate to more explosive swings, faster sprints, and enhanced agility—essential elements for success in baseball. Without a doubt, these two studies showcase just a fraction of the benefits of SQAIRZ shoes.”
In a head-to-head study conducted on collegiate pitchers, athletes compared their performance wearing SQAIRZ GFP™ baseball shoes versus Nike, New Balance, Adidas, and Under Armour. The results were clear: 76% of pitchers increased their velocity when switching to SQAIRZ, with an average gain of 2.1 MPH—and some athletes seeing up to 8 MPH improvements. Even more critical, the study documented significant reductions in medial-lateral ankle instability, providing pitchers with a more stable foundation for consistent mechanics and timing.
“SQAIRZ showed the highest stability against the top four brands tested,” said biomechanical specialist Chad Miller. “When athletes can’t trust their footing, it directly impacts their throwing efficiency. The study showed SQAIRZ delivers more velocity by improving ground force and joint stability, which is a rare feat in today’s footwear market.”
The research earned top marks at ACFAS. With implications for injury prevention, athletic performance, and footwear design standards, this marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of sports shoes.
“Our mission has always been about delivering measurable performance benefits, not hype,” said Bob Winskowicz, Founder & CEO of SQAIRZ. “This study validates what athletes have been telling us for years. By simply changing their shoes to SQAIRZ, they’re hitting harder, pitching faster, and staying more stable. This is the future of performance footwear.”
Following the brand’s success in golf—where SQAIRZ helped deliver over 10 yards of distance—their baseball cleats have been engineered with the same foundational technology and adapted for turf, molded, and metal spike configurations. The GFP™ (Ground Force Production) line is already being used by players at the highest levels of baseball and softball.
To learn more about SQAIRZ or to shop the GFP™ Baseball & Softball shoes available in turf, molded cleat, and metal spikes for men, youth, and women, go to sqairz.com or Dick’s Sporting Goods online at dicks.com.
About SQAIRZ
SQAIRZ is a performance footwear brand built on science, not speculation. Since launching in golf in 2019, SQAIRZ has delivered measurable improvements in balance, stability, and speed—earning three PGA Tour wins and recognition from Sports Illustrated as “The Most Technologically Advanced Golf Shoe.” With this leap into baseball and upcoming expansion into pickleball, SQAIRZ continues to set the standard for innovation in athletic footwear.
Media Contact: Savannah Smith marketing@sqairzgolf.com 919.624.4370
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