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Start your morning with Buzzcast with Abe Madkour: Historic day in D.C. as Commanders return home; Breaking down the numbers from Green Bay and Clemson goes Bananas Details of the arrangement — which must be approved by the D.C. Council — are “expected to be announced by Commanders principal owner Josh Harris and Mayor Muriel […]

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Morning Buzz

Start your morning with Buzzcast with Abe Madkour: Historic day in D.C. as Commanders return home; Breaking down the numbers from Green Bay and Clemson goes Bananas

Details of the arrangement — which must be approved by the D.C. Council — are “expected to be announced by Commanders principal owner Josh Harris and Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) at a joint news conference Monday morning.” Getty Images

D.C. and the Commanders are “planning to announce a deal Monday to build the team’s next stadium at the derelict RFK Stadium site on the Anacostia waterfront.” Details of the arrangement — which are set to be revealed at 11am ET and “must receive D.C. Council approval” — are expected to be announced by Commanders principal owner Josh Harris and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser at a joint news conference Monday morning. The deal is “likely to enduringly shape the legacy of Bowser,” who has “repeatedly bet big on sports as an economic growth driver and eyed RFK Stadium for a decade, and of Harris, who is spearheading the franchise’s revival after decades of scandal and mismanagement” (WASHINGTON POST, 4/27).

The agreement “completes a yearslong search by the organization that gained serious momentum” once Harris purchased the Commanders from Dan Snyder. The momentum “further surged” once Congress included a provision in a continuing resolution bill in December, giving the city control of the land for the next 99 years. Without that allowance, the Commanders “would not have reached an agreement with the city.” Harris and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell also “lobbied lawmakers on Capitol Hill to pass legislation to allow for the transfer of land.” It was signed into law by former President Joe Biden in early January (ESPN.com, 4/27).

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan speaking to the media at the opening of Sadler's Wells East theatre
London Mayor Sadiq Khan is hoping “to fuel London’s ambition to to be ‘the sporting capital of the world.’” PA Images via Getty Images

London Mayor Sadiq Khan “wants London to bid for the 2040 Olympic Games as part of a sports events strategy.” A new report that will be published by the Mayor of London’s office on Monday says that the staging of six events last year, including the Champions League final at Wembley and the London Athletics Meet, as well as regular-season NFL and MLB games, generated $306M for the city. Khan said he wanted the report, created by Think Beyond, “to fuel London’s ambition to to be ‘the sporting capital of the world,’” with the mayor “also ready to join forces with British athletics bosses and UK Sport in bidding for the 2029 World Athletics Championships.” There has been “concern that the government lacks an appetite for funding sport in what is currently a challenging economic climate,” but Khan says he “has had some ‘positive discussions’ on the matter” (London TIMES, 4/28).

A campaign “has been launched to stage the 2029 World Athletics Championships in London.” UK Sport and UK Athletics have “concluded a year-long feasibility study” into London hosting the 2029 event, which they say “projects a record-breaking economic and social impact of more than” $533M. The campaign was launched on the day of the 2025 London Marathon. Any interested host city “must lodge a formal expression of interest to World Athletics by September this year, with London’s hopes contingent on securing” $60M in government funding (THE ATHLETIC, 4/26).

NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 09: Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie lifts the Vince Lombardi Trophy after winning Super Bowl LIX between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs on February 09, 2025, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, LA.  (Photo by Bob Kupbens/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Eagles are scheduled to visit the White House on Monday to celebrate their Super Bowl title, but “that doesn’t mean all the Eagles will be at Monday’s event.” Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Eagles are scheduled to visit the White House on Monday to celebrate their Super Bowl title, but “that doesn’t mean all the Eagles will be at Monday’s event.” At the Time 100 Gala on Thursday night, Eagles QB Jalen Hurts was asked if he planned to attend — and though he “seemed about to answer the question,” he “then did not offer a reply.” A player “who will be there” is Eagles RB Saquon Barkley — who “visited the president at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey on Sunday and traveled to Washington with Trump on Marine One,” the president’s personal helicopter. After the team’s previous Super Bowl victory, the Eagles didn’t visit the White House — but team owner Jeffrey Lurie has said “the circumstances are different this time around” (AL.com, 4/27). So far, “no Eagles players have said outright they’ll skip the White House visit.” Lurie has “downplayed the politics” of visiting Trump’s White House and “left it up to individual players to decide to attend” (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 4/27).

Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich of the New York Jets looks on from the field
The Falcons said Sunday that defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich’s son “was responsible for a prank call made to NFL draft pick Shedeur Sanders.” Getty Images

The Falcons said Sunday that defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich’s son “was responsible for a prank call made to NFL draft pick Shedeur Sanders.” In a statement, the team said Jax Ulbrich “came across the draft contact phone number” of Sanders on “an open iPad while visiting his parent’s home.” Though Jax Ulbrich “provided the number, he was sitting beside an unidentified friend who actually made the call to Sanders.” In the call, Jax Ulbrich’s friend “identified himself as” Saints GM Mickey Loomis and “told Sanders he had been drafted by the Saints before ending the call.” Jax Ulbrich “apologized to Sanders on Sunday,” while the Falcons also “apologized to Sanders” (AP, 4/27). The Falcons “will not take any action against Jeff Ulbrich,” according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (ESPN.com, 4/27).

Jax Ulbrich’s actions aren’t the responsibility of the Falcons or Jeff Ulbrich, but — “fairly or not” — it does “reflect on the Falcons and owner Arthur Blank, whose franchise has a growing collection of embarrassing moments.” They “don’t need to be issuing another statement volunteering its willingness to cooperate with the league office.” Given that the Falcons have missed the playoffs seven seasons in a row and “actually have been subject to league investigations,” it “only adds to the picture of a franchise that continually trips over itself” (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 4/27).

First base coach José David Flores #58 of the Boston Red Sox holds back Jarren Duran #16 as Duran yells at a fan
Red Sox LF Jarren Duran was “restrained by umpires and coaches as he yelled into the stands at Progressive Field after the top half of the seventh inning.” Getty Images

The fan who reportedly “crossed the line” Sunday when he taunted Red Sox LF Jarren Duran from the stands has been identified and Guardians said they are working with MLB “regarding next steps, and that they fell short of their goal to provide the best experience to visiting players and fans.” Duran was “restrained by umpires and coaches as he yelled into the stands at Progressive Field after the top half of the seventh inning.” A fan, later identified to Guardians security by other fans in the area, “was seen running away from the confrontation and up the aisle onto the concourse.” The fan “immediately left the ballpark,” but Guardians personnel “are aware of his identity” (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 4/27).

Meanwhile, the UFL is “investigating an incident” that happened at the conclusion of Saturday night’s Battlehawks-Panthers game where “a player slapped a fan.” After the game, a fan in a blue hat “leaned over the railing in the first row, shouting at two Michigan Panthers players behind that team’s bench.” In response, Panthers WR Samson Nacua “reaches up and slaps the fan across the face with his right hand” as Panthers CB Adonis Alexander “points at the fan and laughs” (ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH, 4/27).

The leaderboard is seen on the 16th green on day four of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans
TV coverage of the PGA Tour’s Zurich Classic was “plagued with power outage issues” on Sunday, as problems on-site at TPC Louisiana “made it impossible to watch a large portion of the final round.” Getty Images

TV coverage of the PGA Tour’s Zurich Classic was “plagued with power outage issues” on Sunday, as problems on-site at TPC Louisiana “made it impossible to watch a large portion of the final round.” When coverage of the Zurich Classic moved to CBS at 3pm ET, “coverage of Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry’s march to victory in 2024 was being aired with a ticker across the bottom of the screen noting technical difficulties.” At 3:42pm, “the horn blew and play was suspended because of inclement weather.” When play resumed at 5:15pm, CBS “was back with live coverage and no mention of any of the difficulties from earlier” (GOLF DIGEST, 4/27).

Meanwhile, “more than 37,000 fans attended the third round” of the tournament Saturday, a single-day attendance record. The massive crowd “helped the tournament set a single-day record for concession sales on Saturday, as well.” Attendance on the first two days of the tournament was “also larger than a year ago,” as Friday’s attendance “topped 29,000” (New Orleans TIMES-PICAYUNE, 4/27).

MLB and media brand Boardroom have expanded their partnership, which began in 2024. Boardroom

MLB and media brand Boardroom have expanded their partnership, which began in 2024. For their year-long collaboration in 2025, Boardroom, co-founded by Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman, will handle talent-booking and event afterparty production and programming for the July 12 MLB All-Star Celebrity Softball Game in Atlanta. It will also produce MLB’s consumer-facing activation at the June 20-22 Fanatics Fest in N.Y., featuring interactive experiences and talent appearances. Additionally, Boardroom will produce a high-profile entertainment experience around the MLB Awards presented By MGM Rewards After Party in Las Vegas. Meanwhile, Boardroom will continue player-driven MLB content and storytelling. Among Boardroom’s investments includes Athletes Unlimited. MLB is also planning to invest in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League.

Oak View Group is taking over operations of Reading, Pa.’s Santander Arena. Matt Christine

The Berks County Convention Center Authority (BCCCA) has hired Oak View Group to manage operations, create a best-in-class food and beverage program, and sell sponsorships for the 8,800-seat Santander Arena in Reading, Pa.

The deal also includes management of the Reading Royals, the ECHL affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers, who play at Santander Arena. The BCCCA owns the Royals after recently buying the team for a second time (it owned the club from 2011 to 2014) but budgeted a $274,000 loss for the Royals in the 2025 fiscal year. OVG has a similar relationship with the XL Center and the AHL’s Hartford Wolfpack. OVG is also involved with ownership of the AHL’s Coachella Valley Firebirds in Palm Desert, Calif., alongside the Kraken, and has extensive hockey experience in its executive ranks, highlighted by OVG co-chair Peter Luukko, the former president and CEO of Comcast Spectacor and the Flyers.

The BCCCA’s venue management agreement with OVG includes day-to-day operations, booking, scheduling, marketing, advertising and sponsorship sales for Santander Arena and Santander Performing Arts Center.

OVG is replacing ASM Global as the venue manager. The BCCCA voted late last year to not extend ASM Global’s venue management deal, which expires June 30. And OVG’s booking team will take over from ArenaNetwork, whose event booking business includes at least two dozen major arenas around North America like Atlanta’s State Farm Arena, Anaheim’s Honda Center, and Edmonton’s Rogers Place.

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Youth sports platform GameChanger has announced its “For the Sport of Love” brand campaign, its first national spot. GameChanger, a Dick’s Sporting Goods company, will air the campaign across Meta, YouTube, CBS Sports, Bleacher Report, ESPN, Conde Nast, Hearst and social media platforms starting today. The spot was directed by WOLVVS production company founder Curt Morgan and was filmed across the greater Los Angeles area shortly after the wildfires. Ken Strnad, GameChanger VP of brand marketing, oversaw the campaign.

Local teams and schools included in the ad include: Millikan High School and LA Premier Prep (boys basketball), Ontario Christian and St. Joseph’s High School (girls basketball), Corona High School (baseball and softball), Orange Lutheran High School (baseball), Notre Dame High School (softball), Prime and Surfside Volleyball Clubs (girls volleyball), Calabasas High School (boys soccer), and Newbury Park Elite Football Club (girls soccer). The full spot is available on YouTube.

In March 2023, GameChanger President Sameer Ahuja was named SBJ Sports Technology Executive Of The Year and SVP of Engineering Ami Kumar was named Next in Sports Tech: Rising Female Leader in March.

SBJ Cover newsletter

In this week’s SBJ:

  • As the WNBA season approaches, SBJ’s Tom Friend details how the Fever’s front office is using the stardom of Caitlin Clark and raising the profile of its roster to create lifelong, generational fans. Metrics around season-ticket sales, viewership, social media engagement and sponsorship show those efforts are producing eye-opening results.
  • Catch up on anything you might have missed from the CAA World Congress of Sports in Nashville, from the bullishness of leaders around the sports business despite economic uncertainty to what is top of mind for commissioners to who was seen and heard.
  • SBJ’s Joe Lemire describes how U.S. Olympic track athletes are using a motion capture tool — Video Automatic Motional Analysis or VAMA — to analyze their biomechanics at the start of races and at top speed.
  • K.C.’s T-Mobile Arena has been the site of a TKO Takeover this past weekend with PBR and UFC events taking place Thursday and Saturday and culminating with WWE’s “Monday Night Raw.” SBJ’s David Broughton explains how the TKO Live Events Strategy Team pulled it off.
  • Edy Lawson-Jackson and Samira Jackson are the first mother-daughter agent tandem in the NFL. SBJ’s Irving Mejia-Hilario caught up with them to find out how they are building a business in a highly competitive field with few women and even fewer Black women.

In Case You Missed It…

In case you missed it in SBJ’s Weekend Rap:


Speed Reads…

Legends has hired Brandon Nelson as Chief Legal Officer of the combined Legends and ASM Global business entity. Nelson will lead the combined company’s legal team and work, including partner negotiations, regulatory issues, public policy, compliance, labor law, and risk assessment and mitigation, while providing counsel on internal corporate strategy. Nelson joins Legends after two decades at JetBlue where he most recently was General Counsel and Corporate Secretary (Bret McCormick, SBJ).


Morning Hot Reads: Can They Co-Exist?

The Cleveland PLAIN DEALER went with the header, “Can Cleveland airport and a new Browns stadium coexist without a major traffic tangle?” If you’ve ever been caught in traffic heading to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, “you must be wondering — what if in the future I’m trying to catch a plane just before or after a big event at a new Browns stadium practically next door?” Whether you get stuck “could come down to what — if anything — is done to the Snow Road interchange with Interstate 71, and other nearby roadways.” Even before there was talk of a Browns stadium in Brook Park, “overhauling that interchange was identified in long-range planning as a possible solution to airport congestion.” Now, any redesign “might have to consider the added pressure of a massive sports venue wedged between the airport and the interstate.”

Also:


This Week’s Event: April 28-May4

MONDAY

  • TheTicketingBusiness Forum will be held at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, and will explore the opportunities of open, multi-channel connections to discovery, sales and distribution. Speakers will include ASM Global SVP/Entertainment, Content & Programming (MENA) Mark Jan Kar, Letsgo Entertainment COO August Banegas, Tixr Dir of Partnerships Eric Valley, Silverstone Circuits Head of F1 British Grand Prix Commercial Development Ashley Kirk and many more (3 days).

TUESDAY

  • SportsPro Live 2025 will be held at the Kia Oval in London. Speakers will include IMG President Adam Kelly, Wasserman Boxing Global Head of Boxing Kallie Sauerland, Kynisca founder & CEO Michele Kang, Women’s Professional Leagues Limited COO Holly Murdoch, SURJ Sports Investment CEO Danny Townsend and many more (2 days).
  • Spotify Technology will release its quarterly earnings.
  • Caesars Entertainment will release its quarterly earnings.

THURSDAY

  • The 2025 espnW Summit NYC will be held at the 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge and will feature panels led by ESPN host and SportsCenter anchor Elle Duncan; ESPN soccer analyst and World Cup Champion Julie Foudy; ESPN host and reporter Laura Rutledge; and MLB and softball analyst Jessica Mendoza. ESPN studio anchor and analyst Christine Williamson will host the livestream of the event. The lineup also includes Olympic Gold Medalist Jordan Chiles; Seattle Kraken assistant coach Jessica Campbell; ESPN college football reporter Jess Sims; Athletes Unlimited Softball League Chief Growth Officer Allie Kleva; WNBAPA Exec Dir Terri Carmichael Jackson; SportsCenter anchor Linda Cohn; and more (1 day).
  • PGA Tour player Rory McIlroy will appear on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
  • Amazon will release its quarterly earnings.
  • Apple will release its quarterly earnings.
  • Roku will release its quarterly earnings.
  • SiriusXM will release its quarterly earnings.

If you have a sports business event for consideration in our listings, please send an email to calendar@sportsbusinessjournal.com.


Social Scoop…


“In this 1995 book, Pilgrim is taken to Tom, whose job it is to utter secrets ‘softly into pricked and troubled ears.’”


Off the presses…

The Morning Buzz offers today’s back pages and sports covers from some of North America’s major metropolitan newspapers:


Final Jeopardy…

“What is ‘The Horse Whisperer’?”

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Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith signs surprising NIL shoe deal

Shoe allegiances can run almost as deep as a favorite college football program. When you can marry the two together, perhaps in charge of marketing may have something special. That appears to be the case with Ohio State star receiver Jeremiah Smith and Adidas, because according to a social media post on Tuesday, it appears […]

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Shoe allegiances can run almost as deep as a favorite college football program. When you can marry the two together, perhaps in charge of marketing may have something special.

That appears to be the case with Ohio State star receiver Jeremiah Smith and Adidas, because according to a social media post on Tuesday, it appears as though Smith has signed an NIL deal with the popular sports apparel company based in Germany. And if you are like many of us, the fact that it’s not with Nike (the apparel company that sponsors Ohio State) might be a little suprising.

But hey, this is what NIL is for, right? Athletes are able to enter their own partnerships with companies to take advantage of their star power, and kudos to Adidas for recognizing what Smith can be for them as a public figure and spokesperson. Of course, we don’t know the terms of the deal and probably never will, but if you are a Smith and Ohio State fan, now you have conflicting priorities.

One has to wonder what kind of cleats Smith will be wearing when he runs out of the tunnel on Aug. 30. Somewhere, there has to be contract language that spells out how this whole thing is going to work. And maybe, just maybe, down the line we’ll get to see some Jeremiah Smith Adidas cleats we can all get our hands on.

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.



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Vandal Soccer Adds Davis to Staff

Story Links MOSCOW, Idaho – University of Idaho Vandal soccer coach Jeremy Clevenger today announced the hire of Inland Northwest native Nick Davis as goalkeepers coach.    “We are excited to bring Nick to our soccer program,” Clevenger said. “He brings a ton of energy and passion to the team.  In his young career, Nick has some impressive […]

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MOSCOW, Idaho – University of Idaho Vandal soccer coach Jeremy Clevenger today announced the hire of Inland Northwest native Nick Davis as goalkeepers coach.
 
 “We are excited to bring Nick to our soccer program,” Clevenger said. “He brings a ton of energy and passion to the team.  In his young career, Nick has some impressive experience that will be a great addition to both the goalkeepers and team overall.”
 
Davis comes to Moscow from Sewanee University, a DIII university in Tennessee, where he coached the Tiger goalkeepers during the 2024 season. Sewanee recorded 14 shutouts and allowed just six goals all season.
 
In the Southern Athletic Association play, the Tigers allowed just one goal outscored opponents 5-0 in the SAA tournament before falling in the NCAA Championship First Round.
 
Prior to his time at Sewanee, he was the assistant at Wheaton College in Illinois. The 2023 team recorded four shutouts and racked up 103 saves.
 
In 2022, Davis coached Lauren Ketchum to CCIW Goalkeeper of the Year honors. The Thunder recorded seven shutouts and 84 saves on the year.
 
Before his time at Wheaton, he coached club athletes in the US and in the UK.
 
He earned a BA in Football Coaching and Development from Plymouth Marjon University in Plymouth, UK, and is a 2018 graduate of Lewis and Clark High School where he was goalkeeper and a kicker for the football team.
 
“I am extremely excited to be joining the Vandals coaching staff,” Davis said. “I want to thank Jeremy for giving me this opportunity to be part of an amazing program that has shown incredible success over the past few seasons. I can’t wait to join and contribute to this special Vandal family, and I look forward to bringing more championships to Moscow.”
 
The Vandals have played in each of the last three Big Sky Conference Championship matches, winning the Big Sky tournament title in 2023, advancing to the NCAA tournament.
 
Over the past three seasons, Idaho has recorded a combined 28 shutouts, including eight last season by returning starter Paula Flores.  
 
The hire is conditional on completion of University of Idaho human resources procedures.
 
 



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UNC’s roster makeup feels like a complete 180 from last season

Everyone who follows college basketball is curious to see how the new-look UNC basketball roster pans out this upcoming season. A roster that features mostly newcomers, Hubert Davis and the Tar Heels aim to get back to the program’s elite status. Unfortunately, the last few seasons have had their fair share of ups and downs, […]

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Everyone who follows college basketball is curious to see how the new-look UNC basketball roster pans out this upcoming season.

A roster that features mostly newcomers, Hubert Davis and the Tar Heels aim to get back to the program’s elite status. Unfortunately, the last few seasons have had their fair share of ups and downs, leaving plenty of questions leading up to the new campaign.

College basketball analyst Jon Rothstein discussed the new-look Tar Heels, stating the obvious of the team’s “complete 180” in terms of roster makeup compared to a season ago. Rothstein mentioned how the strength of this year’s squad is the front-court, which was a major weakness for the 2024-2025 Tar Heels.

“ It feels like a polar op opposite from last season. Last year, the Tar Heels were a perimeter-heavy team, with RJ Davis, Elliot Cadeau, Ian Jackson, and Seth Trimble. The real knock on North Carolina last year was that you did not have a consistent low-post presence on the glass, and also in the half-court offensively, there was no Armando Bacot.

There wasn’t anybody who could get the ball and finish down low. Now it feels like you have the polar opposite. I look at North Carolina, and I look at the strength of this team, and I think it’s upfront. Jarin Stevenson, a transfer from Alabama, Caleb Wilson, a five-star freshman, power Forward, and also Henri Veesaar, a transfer from Arizona.”

There wasn’t anybody who could get the ball and finish down low. Now it feels like you have the polar opposite. I look at North Carolina, and I look at the strength of this team, and I think it’s upfront. Jarin Stevenson, a transfer from Alabama, Caleb Wilson, a five-star freshman, power Forward, and also Henri Veesaar, a transfer from Arizona.

Rothstein has very high expectations for the UNC basketball program’s lone returning guard, Seth Trimble, believing that the rising senior is poised for an first-team All-ACC caliber year in his final goaround in Chapel Hill:

“The lone returning player of significance for the Tar Heels from last year’s team that made the NCAA tournament and lost to Ole Miss in the Round of 64 is Seth Trimble, and I think Seth Trimble is going to have a first-team all-ACC caliber season.”

The roster looks completely different from what we saw a season ago, but you have to think that Davis and his staff did a solid job of solidifying the frontcourt, adding some much-needed height and experience. As Rothstein noted, now it will be a question as to whether or not the new-look backcourt can get the job done, as the UNC basketball program really doesn’t have that true point guard who strives at pushing the ball up the floor.

Sometimes change is good. We’ll have to see if this drastic change in Chapel Hill is a good one for Hubert Davis and the UNC basketball program.





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How NIL in College Basketball Is Changing the NBADraft

Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rules in college sports have transformed the entire college basketball landscape. The NCAA’s 2021 decision to let players profit from their personal branding has created a fresh financial chance for student-athletes, which affects their NBA Draft preparation. Examine the impact of NIL on professional development and its implications for the […]

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Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rules in college sports have transformed the entire college basketball landscape. The NCAA’s 2021 decision to let players profit from their personal branding has created a fresh financial chance for student-athletes, which affects their NBA Draft preparation. Examine the impact of NIL on professional development and its implications for the future of the draft process.

The Rise of NIL: A Game-Changer for College Hoops

College basketball players received scholarships and minimal financial support before NIL became available. Student-athletes faced financial challenges at the same time their universities earned large profits from their athletic performance. College athletes now have the opportunity to sign endorsement deals and appear in commercials, and generate revenue from their social media presence. College athletes Cooper Flagg from Duke and Bronny James from USC have reportedly secured endorsement deals worth hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars while remaining in college.

The new financial opportunities have transformed how student-athletes view their professional futures. The ability to stay in college for additional years has become a feasible choice for athletes. College athletes can earn substantial financial rewards through NIL without losing their amateur athletic status. Gonzaga’s Drew Timme stayed in college longer because of NIL opportunities, which helped him develop his brand while enhancing his athletic abilities. The draft talent pool has changed because players now choose to stay in college for more than one year instead of immediately entering the NBA.

The Fan and Betting Perspective

College basketball fans now enjoy a more engaging and interactive experience due to the implementation of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policies. College athletes are choosing to extend their college careers because they can earn money from endorsement deals. Fans have more chances to watch their favorite athletes. The increased visibility of players coincides with the rising interest in sports betting on college basketball, as fans are participating more actively in the sport.

Bettors are drawn to games featuring prominent NIL stars. They use reliable offshore sportsbooks offering competitive odds and diverse betting options, such as point spreads, over/under totals, player props, and March Madness futures. The best offshore betting sites provide reliable options for fans to place bets, enhancing the thrill of the season by allowing them to back their predictions on emerging talents and high-stakes matchups.

How NIL Affects NBA Draft Decisions

The NBA Draft process, based on college performance and physical attributes, receives new elements from NIL. The following list presents the main ways NIL impacts draft selection processes.

Longer College Stays, Fewer Freshmen in the Draft

Players now delay leaving college because NIL money provides them with financial opportunities. The first round selection of freshmen decreased in the 2022 and 2023 drafts when compared to previous years. Oscar Tshiebwe chose to stay at Kentucky for another year because he wanted to benefit from endorsement deals. The draft now features more upperclassmen because scouts understand that players at different stages of development will be selected.

Skill Development vs. Early Entry

The extended college stay enables players to improve their skills, which leads to better draft possibilities. The additional college years allowed Zach Edey to develop into a top-10 draft pick in 2024 after he became a leading center at Purdue. NBA scouts face a difficult decision because they must compare older, skilled players with younger, talented prospects who might enter the draft earlier.

Transfer Portal Chaos

The growing transfer portal exists simultaneously with the emergence of NIL. College basketball now functions similarly to free agency because players move between schools to find better NIL opportunities and join more prominent teams. The movement of players between different schools makes it difficult for scouts to monitor player development, especially when a player performs differently between a mid-major school and a top-tier conference.

Challenges for NBA Teams

While NIL gives players more power, it makes things harder for NBA front offices. Draft boards are less predictable because prospects have different timelines. Teams now have to decide if a 22-year-old junior with a solid game is a better choice than a 19-year-old freshman with potential. Additionally, NIL deals can boost a player’s public image, sometimes creating hype that doesn’t match their performance on the court. Scouts need to look past the noise to find true NBA-ready talent.

Furthermore, the G League Ignite and international leagues offer options for prospects who skip college. NIL might keep some players in school, but others still choose to go pro to avoid NCAA rules. This mixed talent pipeline forces NBA teams to expand their scouting efforts.

The Future of NIL and the Draft

The future impact of NIL on the NBA Draft process will emerge from the decisions made by the NCAA and NBA organizations. The selection process for players could be influenced by potential revenue-sharing models and stricter NIL regulations. The NBA could modify its draft eligibility standards to permit high school players to rejoin the draft, which would create additional disruptions to the system.

Right now, NIL is creating a more lively college basketball scene. It gives players more financial power and career options. This shift is changing draft classes, leading to a mix of experienced veterans and talented newcomers. Fans, bettors, and scouts are all trying to find their way in this new era, where a player’s brand can matter as much as their jump shot.

Conclusion

NIL has changed college basketball into a profitable platform for athletes, significantly changing the route to the NBA Draft. By allowing players to make good money, NIL encourages them to stay in college longer, changes scouting priorities, and adds unpredictability to draft boards. For fans, this is an exciting time to watch emerging stars, with betting markets showing the increased interest. As the NIL era develops, its effects will keep reshaping how talent moves from college basketball to the pros, making the NBA Draft an interesting challenge for years ahead.



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College football insider fuels Louisville Cardinals hype train with CFP praise

Louisville football’s 2025 season is approaching quickly, as the calendar now shifts from June to July. The countdown until college football returns is officially under 60 days as Week 0 is 52 days away and the Cardinals’ opening matchup against Eastern Kentucky is 59 days away. The Cards’ have key players returning on both sides […]

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Louisville football’s 2025 season is approaching quickly, as the calendar now shifts from June to July. The countdown until college football returns is officially under 60 days as Week 0 is 52 days away and the Cardinals’ opening matchup against Eastern Kentucky is 59 days away.

The Cards’ have key players returning on both sides of the field, making them appear as one of the dark horse teams to win the ACC. Louisville has earned high praise from Josh Pate and Greg McElroy, as both experts claimed Louisville has a legitimate shot at the ACC crown.

Jeff Brohm and the Cardinals have the third-best odds to win the ACC Title, and if they can make history and secure their first ACC crown, then they will punch their ticket to the first College Football Playoff. FOX Sports insider Michael Cohen believes that it is highly possible.

Related: Expert just gave Jeff Brohm the flowers Louisville fans already knew he deserved

College football insider fuels Louisville Cardinals hype train with CFP praise

Cardinals fans are all-in on this season, as many believe this offense can be one of the most explosive in the nation, not just in the ACC. Louisville added one of the best quarterbacks in the transfer portal, in Miller Moss, and will see big-time players return as Caullin Lacy and Chris Bell are expected to have All-ACC seasons at the wide receiver position. Then, of course, Louisville returns preseason All-American Isaac Brown.

Louisville has the skills and tools to win the ACC, and with Brohm as their head coach, this might be their best chance to win it in a long time. Well, Cohen listed 10 teams that could be this year’s Indiana Hoosiers and make a Cinderella run and their first College Football Playoff.

The Cardinals were one of the 10 teams on this list, and in his two paragraphs about Louisville, he praises Brohm and his glaring strength in developing elite quarterbacks, as well as the potential of this offense.

“Now, Moss will be the unquestioned No. 1 for a team that believes it can reach the College Football Playoff. He’ll be aided by an excellent running back duo in Isaac Brown (165 carries, 1,173 yards, 11 TDs) and Duke Watson (67 carries, 597 yards, seven TDs) that helped the Cardinals finish 33rd nationally and third in the ACC in rushing yards per game last season. “

Michael Cohen

However, for Louisville to make a run at the CFP, the Cardinals must address some defensive concerns. While they will return their two leading tacklers, in Stanquan Clark and TJ Quinn, they lost big-time players on the line in Ashton Gillotte and Jared Dawson, and then four of their top five defensive backs, including fourth-round pick Quincy Riley

“There are legitimate concerns on defense, however, with Louisville needing to replace eight starters from a unit that ranked outside the top 50 in both scoring (24.1 points per game) and yards (368.7 yards per game), even with a pair of middle-round draft picks in edge rusher Ashton Gillotte (No. 66 overall) and cornerback Quincy Riley (No. 131 overall). Still, a friendly opening stretch on the schedule could see the Cardinals enjoy a 5-0 start entering their game at Miami on Oct. 17.”

Michael Cohen

Louisville’s season starts Aug. 30 from L&N Stadium, but that blockbuster matchup with Miami from Hard Rock Stadium is circled on everyone’s calendar. The Cardinals have a manageable schedule and have a legitimate chance to represent the ACC in the CFP, but they must reach Charlotte first, and to reach the ACC Championship game, they must win two of three against Miami, Clemson, and SMU.

Related: Expert’s bombshell Louisville football quote just primed Cardinals for domination

For all the latest on Louisville football’s offseason and recruiting, stay tuned.



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Wives and Girlfriends of Famous Athletes Are Defining a New 'WAG' Style

In the sports world, some wives and girlfriends are more famous than the athletes they are watching. Fashion brands have noticed. As Wimbledon was underway this week, with players adhering to the tournament’s strict all-white dress code, fashion watchers turned their attention to the stands, where personalities like Morgan Riddle, the fashion influencer and girlfriend […]

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Wives and Girlfriends of Famous Athletes Are Defining a New 'WAG' Style

In the sports world, some wives and girlfriends are more famous than the athletes they are watching. Fashion brands have noticed.

As Wimbledon was underway this week, with players adhering to the tournament’s strict all-white dress code, fashion watchers turned their attention to the stands, where personalities like Morgan Riddle, the fashion influencer and girlfriend of the American tennis player Taylor Fritz, brought a slightly bolder look to the Grand Slam.

On Monday, the tournament’s first day, Ms. Riddle wore a blush pink mini dress by Patou, paired with matching strawberry-adorned mules (a nod to the tournament’s well-known strawberry and cream dish) and a red Chanel purse. Her blond hair was tied into a half up, half down style with face-framing tendrils.

“If I dressed incredibly inappropriately for Wimbledon, it would be blasted on social media almost instantly and people would probably troll him for it,” Ms. Riddle said in an interview, referring to Mr. Fritz.

Her wardrobe teems with skirts, dresses, blazers and button-down shirts from brands like Thom Browne, Miu Miu and Burberry — a far cry from her early days on tour with Mr. Fritz, whom she began a relationship with in 2020. Back then, Ms. Riddle, who did not grow up watching tennis, favored jeans, crop tops and sweatshirts. But as she became more enmeshed in the world of the elite sport, her style evolved to meet its expectations.

A woman in a blue and white checked dress stands and claps.
Ms. Riddle, who has been watching Mr. Fritz at Wimbledon this week, tries to wear designs from local designers. Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

While Wimbledon does not enforce a dress code for spectators, attendees are encouraged to dress “smart.” For men, that typically means tailored separates in muted tones; for women, sundresses and low heels. Ms. Riddle takes it a step further. She is polished from every angle, with every sartorial detail deliberate. That’s partly because she is a WAG.

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