NIL

Nebraska Star Quarterback Joins adidas NIL Roster

Following a NFL Draft class announcement that included multiple first round selections, adidas has added a top college quarterback to their growing NIL roster. Nebraska sophomore-to-be Dylan Raiola – often modeling his look and gameplay after adidas star Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs – has joined the brand as their latest NIL signing, […]

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2 months ago

April 29, 2025

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Nebraska Star Quarterback Joins adidas NIL Roster

Following a NFL Draft class announcement that included multiple first round selections, adidas has added a top college quarterback to their growing NIL roster.

Nebraska sophomore-to-be Dylan Raiola – often modeling his look and gameplay after adidas star Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs – has joined the brand as their latest NIL signing, their latest since Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter towards the end of the college football season.

Hunter was part of adidas’ NFL rookie class that included the likes of top picks Abdul Carter, Jalon Walker, Shemar Stewart and Emeka Egbuka, among others.

Raiola will now be the face of the brand’s college football presence as he continues to wear the adidas adizero cleat franchise on-field for brand-sponsored Nebraska and will represent the three stripes off the field in a variety of brand marketing campaigns.

“Heading into my second season, the goal remains the same: help build the next era of Nebraska football and leave a legacy that makes our fans proud,” Raiola said. “Joining the elite family of athletes at adidas is a tremendous honor, and their support strengthens the journey as we continue building something special in Lincoln.”

The brand’s NFL roster is vast, including stars Mahomes, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Garrett Wilson, Chris Jones, David Njoku, Tua Tagovailoa, Aaron Jones, Trevor Lawrence and Brock Purdy.

Raiola finished his freshman year in Lincoln as a semifinalist for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year award, while starting all 13 games, throwing for 2,819 yards – the most by a freshman in program history – and 13 touchdowns.

“We’re focused on identifying and building the most dynamic and talented roster of student-athletes in collegiate athletics,” said Chris McGuire, adidas Vice President of Sports Marketing. “We’re looking for that next generation of elite athlete, and Dylan certainly fits the bill. He’s one of the most promising young quarterbacks in the country and his commitment to building a special legacy at Nebraska makes him an ideal addition to our roster.”

Raiola and Nebraska kick off the 2025 season on August 28 when they visit Cincinnati.

NIL

Maine closes out the high school softball season with MPA championships

The high school softball season around the country finally came to an end this past weekend with the Maine Principal Association (MPA) state championships. The four contests were played between St. Joseph’s College and the University of Maine. Four state title games took place from Classes A to D, with the MPA crowning champions in […]

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9 minutes ago

June 23, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Four state title games took place from Classes A to D, with the MPA crowning champions in each classification.

In the Class A state championship tilt between Windham and Edward Little, the Eagles blanked the Red Eddies, 7-0, behind a strong pitching performance from senior hurler Kennedy Kimball. The pitcher went the distance, allowing just two mere hits and striking out a game-high 11.

Medomak Valley edging Hermon, 1-0, for the Class B state crown was the tightest contest in terms of scoring of any game out of the weekend. Panthers’ pitcher Sydney Nichols brought her best stuff in the circle, striking out 12, yielding just three hits and leading the program to their first state championship since 1995.

Another Maine state championship game that involved a stellar performance from their senior pitcher was Bucksport upending Hall-Dale, 6-2, for the Class C title. It was senior Natalie Simpson closing the door on the Bulldogs, with the pitcher pitching all seven frames, giving up four hits, two runs and fanning 12 batters along the way.

Lastly in the Class D state title tilt between Buckfield and Penobscot Valley, it would be the Bucks defeating the Howlers 5-0. Brittany Carrier belted a home run and Carmen Crocket pitched a nearly perfect game, going seven innings, one hit, no walks and striking out 16 batters. With the win, Buckfield notched the program’s 10th state championship.

The New England region has always been one of the final areas around the country to wrap up spring sports. Just last weekend, Connecticut held its state championship games.

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NIL

UNC plan to pay players revenue, NIL after House settlement

UNC football coach Bill Belichick summer press conference UNC football coach Bill Belichick held a 20-minute press conference. He answered questions about outside “noise” and the roster. UNC athletes in football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and baseball will receive a share of revenue starting July 1st. UNC will increase its athletic scholarships from 338 to […]

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25 minutes ago

June 23, 2025

Your Sports Nation

UNC athletes in football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and baseball will receive a share of revenue starting July 1st.
UNC will increase its athletic scholarships from 338 to 532 across all sports.
UNC is exploring new revenue streams like naming rights and sponsorships to offset increased costs.

University of North Carolina athletes will be paid revenue directly by the school, beginning July 1, in addition to income they already earn for use of their name, image and likeness.

UNC athletics director Bubba Cunningham outlined the university’s plan for the revenue sharing era in a letter posted on June 23. This follows the approval of the House vs. NCAA settlement on June 6, which moves college sports closer to a professional model. Schools opting into the format can pay athletes up to an annual cap of $20.5 million.

“This is a significant evolution that will change our department’s financial model while providing greater financial opportunities for Tar Heel student-athletes,” Cunningham said in a school-issued statement.

“At Carolina, we have been preparing for these changes for more than a year. We are fully committed to adapting to this new era and continuing to create outstanding championship experiences for our student-athletes across our 28-sport, broad-based program.”

UNC is among the schools positioning itself to share the full amount of revenue share to its athletes. Cunningham revealed how UNC’s athletics department plans to handle the changes.

“As we begin this new era, one thing won’t change: our dedication to excellence and winning in and outside of competition,” Cunningham said.

UNC will share most of $20.5 million with men’s basketball, football

Men’s basketball and football at UNC will receive a majority of the school’s $20.5 million in revenue sharing, according to Cunningham’s letter. Women’s basketball and baseball players will also get a cut of the revenue share, bringing UNC’s total to four sports. The rev-share cap will increase by 4% annually.

UNC scholarship increases for athletes

The settlement institutes roster limits for all sports, but removes scholarship limits. With that change, Cunningham said UNC will increases its number of scholarships by nearly 200 across 28 sports, going from 338 to 532.

“The ability to have more Tar Heels on full scholarship will greatly strengthen our athletics program and the student-athlete experience at Carolina,” Cunningham said. “This is a great opportunity to support additional student-athletes financially, outside of revenue share, and we want to keep building our Rams Club Scholarship Endowment in the hope of increasing scholarships even more in the future.”

UNC backpay for athletes, budget

UNC estimates an impact of $2 million annually for the next 10 years due to the $2.7 billion in backpay to athletes who weren’t allowed to profit off NIL. The NCAA is funding payments for schools by withholding a portion of its annual distribution of funds. Cunningham said UNC’s budget, which was $150 million this year, will grow 30% or 20% by next year.

“To prepare, we have hired a new Chief Revenue Officer to investigate and initiate new revenue opportunities, including naming rights, field sponsorships and jersey patches, expanding football’s Bell Tower Block Party to draw more fans, options to further optimize our relationship with corporate sponsorship partner Learfield and more aggressive ticket sales initiatives,” Cunningham said.

“ACC Success Initiatives and additional funding allocated by the state of North Carolina from gambling revenues may also assist our efforts in the coming years, and we will continue to evaluate our Department’s budget and spending for cost-cutting opportunities.”

Rodd Baxley covers Duke, North Carolina and N.C. State for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding those teams? Send them to rbaxley@fayobserver.com.

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Henry Ford commits to Tennessee out of the transfer portal

Tennessee baseball made a big splash in the transfer portal on Sunday, picking up a commitment from the top-rated player in the transfer portal as former Virginia first baseman and right fielder Henry Ford made his pledge known to Tony Vitello and the Tennessee staff. The slugger was on campus the first week the portal […]

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26 minutes ago

June 23, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Tennessee baseball made a big splash in the transfer portal on Sunday, picking up a commitment from the top-rated player in the transfer portal as former Virginia first baseman and right fielder Henry Ford made his pledge known to Tony Vitello and the Tennessee staff.

The slugger was on campus the first week the portal officially opened for an official visit ahead of Tennessee’s super regional matchup at Arkansas. Tennessee beat out Mississippi State and Texas for Ford, who is playing in the Cape Cod League this summer.

Ford, who stands in at 6-foot-5 weighing 225 pounds, is draft eligible this summer. He’s currently listed as the No. 73 MLB Draft prosect by MLB Pipeline and No. 70 by Baseball America. He has two years of collegiate eligibility remaining but is a serious draft risk.

Virginia head coach Brian O’Connor left his post to take on the head job at Mississippi State after the season. Ford, along with several of his fellow teammates, entered the NCAA transfer portal.

The Charlottesville, Va. Native, who attended high school in Chattanooga at Baylor School, broke onto the scene as a true freshman in 2024, landing on three Freshman All-American teams after hitting .336 at the plate with 17 home runs, 69 runs batted in and 13 doubles in 61 starts. The home runs and RBI tally were both freshman records for the program.

In 2025, Ford registered a .362 average with 11 home runs, 46 RBI, nine doubles and 42 runs scored across 50 games played. He primarily played first base as a freshman before shifting more towards the outfield as a sophomore. In total, Ford played in 74 games at first base and 34 games in the outfield while at Virginia in two seasons. Ford was named second-team All-ACC following the 2025 campaign as an outfielder.

Baseball Transfer Portal

The 2025 non-graduate transfer portal opened on June 2 and will remain open until July 1. Players must have their name entered in the transfer portal by July 1 if they want to move on, but new destinations do not have to be made by that time.

The Vols have benefited greatly from the transfer portal in recent cycles, reeling in the likes of Chase Dollander (2022), Griffin Merritt (2023), Maui Ahuna (2023), Zane Denton (2023), Billy Amick (2024), Cannon Peebles (2024), AJ Causey (2024), Chris Stamos (2024), Liam Doyle (2025), Andrew Fischer (2025) and Gavin Kilen (2025).

Ford becomes the seventh addition for the Vols via the transfer portal, joining right-handed pitchers Clay Edmondson (UNC Asheville), Mason Estrada (MIT), Bo Rhudy (Kennesaw State), RHP Brady Frederick (ETSU), utility Garrett Wright (Bowling Green) and RHP/OF DJ Newman. Tennessee has also added junior college players such as RHP Matt Barr (SUNY Niagara) and Tyler Myatt (Walters State) and picked up catcher Trent Grindlinger as a late add to the 2025 class in recent weeks.

Tennessee has now lost 13 players to the transfer portal so far: INF Jack Jones, INF Robinson Martin, LHP Bryson Thacker, RHP Brayden Sharp, RHP Austin Hunley, RHP Thomas Crabtree, OF Colby Backus, LHP Ryler Smart, LHP Dylan Loy, LHP Andrew Behnke, RHP Austin Breedlove and RHP/OF Beau Revord.

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How Adam Breneman Wants to Change College Football, at Penn State and Beyond

Adam Breneman views Penn State football now through a uniquely personal lens. Though the foundation remains recognizable (Breneman played for Bill O’Brien and was recruited by Joe Paterno), Penn State’s program is far different than the one he knew in the 2010s. Principally regarding this. “I think the biggest thing that’s changed recently is just, […]

Published

51 minutes ago

June 23, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Penn State tight end Adam Breneman runs with the football after a catch against Purdue in a 2013 game at Beaver Stadium. — Penn State tight end Adam Breneman (81) runs with the ball after a catch against Purdue in a 2013 game at Beaver Stadium. / Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

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Name, Image and Likeness Risks and Insurance in College Athletics

Published

53 minutes ago

June 23, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Name, Image and Likeness Risks and Insurance in College Athletics

The landscape of college athletics is undergoing a seismic shift with the rise of name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights. As student-athletes gain the ability to monetize their personal brands, a new era of opportunity—and liability—is expanding far beyond the athletes. In addition to the student-athletes, NIL stakeholders include universities, athletic conferences and organizations, sponsors, and the athletes’ families, among others. Whether the goal is to guard against emerging liabilities or protect the NIL revenue stream itself, stakeholders should consider both traditional and specialty lines of insurance. Here’s what you need to know.

1. What Are NILs?

NIL rights allow college athletes to profit from their personal name, image and likeness—essentially, their brand—while maintaining amateur status. This includes earning income through endorsements, social media, appearances and other commercial ventures. Ever since the US Supreme Court held in 2021 in NCAA v. Alston that NCAA member institutions were free to offer education-related compensation to student-athletes, doors have opened wide for athletes to engage in business opportunities that were previously off-limits, fundamentally altering the collegiate sports economy.

2. The House Settlement: A New Precedent

In May 2025, the landmark $2.8 billion settlement reached in House v. NCAA was finalized, reshaping NIL and revenue-sharing frameworks for college athletics. Often referred to as the “House Settlement,” it resolves multiple antitrust lawsuits and paves the way for direct revenue sharing between universities and athletes. Importantly, this settlement marks a turning point, signaling the NCAA’s acknowledgment of athletes as stakeholders in the multibillion-dollar collegiate sports industry.

3. New Precedent Breeds New Risks for Stakeholders

With new rights come new risks. The expansion of NIL rights and revenue-sharing models introduces complex liability exposures for all parties involved:

Universities may face management and board-level liability for failing to adequately monitor NIL deals, ensure Title IX compliance, or for violations of the tax code that could jeopardize their 501(c)(3) tax exempt status.
Athletes risk breaching contracts, violating NCAA or institutional policies, or becoming entangled in disputes over representation and compensation.
Brands partnering with athletes must navigate reputational risks and ensure compliance with advertising and endorsement regulations.
Families of athletes, often involved in managing NIL opportunities, may inadvertently expose themselves to tax liabilities or legal disputes if not properly advised.

And, critically for all of the above, consideration must be given to the potential for injury, academic failure, disciplinary suspension or expulsion and transfer, all of which stand to impair or cut off lucrative NIL revenue streams. Interested parties will want to take appropriate steps to protect NIL revenue should a disrupting event occur.

4. Insurance Solutions to Hedge Against Liability

To mitigate NIL-related risk, stakeholders should consider both specialized and traditional insurance products tailored for the NIL era. For example, NFP’s Sports and Entertainment Group offers a suite of coverage options designed to protect athletes, institutions, and affiliated entities, including:

Permanent Total Disability (PTD) and Temporary Total Disability (TTD): Protects athletes’ future earnings in case of injury or illness.
Loss of Value (LOV): Covers the financial gap if an athlete’s projected professional value declines due to injury.
Critical Injury Coverage: Offers lump-sum benefits for catastrophic injuries.
Group Disability Plans: Customizable for universities, conferences, or NIL collectives, these plans spread risk across multiple athletes and sports.

Traditional lines of insurance—such as directors and officers liability (D&O), commercial general liability (CGL), errors and omissions (E&O), and media liability—can also protect stakeholders against NIL-related liabilities. For example:

CGL and media liability policies may provide coverage for claims arising from the advertising and use of an athlete’s NIL.
E&O and D&O insurance can protect institutions and brands from allegations of missteps in negotiating or overseeing NIL agreements.

Insurance is not just a reactive measure—it is a strategic tool that enables stakeholders to participate in the NIL ecosystem with confidence and foresight. As the NIL era continues to evolve, look for the emergence of more specialized insurance products, as well as litigation surrounding the scope and applicability of both traditional and NIL-specific coverage.

Final Thoughts

The NIL era is here, and with it comes a new set of responsibilities. Universities, athletes, brands, and families must work proactively to navigate this evolving landscape. By understanding the risks and leveraging both traditional and tailored insurance solutions, stakeholders can protect their interests while empowering athletes to thrive both on and off the field.

NIL

DeBriyn Inducted into College Baseball Hall of Fame

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Former Arkansas baseball coach and Razorback legend Norm DeBriyn will be inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame as part of the 2025 class, the College Baseball Foundation announced Monday, June 23. In a coaching career that spanned four decades, DeBriyn transformed Arkansas into a national powerhouse after taking over […]

Published

53 minutes ago

June 23, 2025

Your Sports Nation

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Former Arkansas baseball coach and Razorback legend Norm DeBriyn will be inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame as part of the 2025 class, the College Baseball Foundation announced Monday, June 23.

In a coaching career that spanned four decades, DeBriyn transformed Arkansas into a national powerhouse after taking over as head coach in 1970 at the age of 28. The winningest coach in school history, DeBriyn guided the Razorbacks to a record of 1,161-650-6 (.641 winning percentage), two Southwest Conference titles, one Southeastern Conference title, one SEC Western Division title, 15 NCAA Tournament appearances and four NCAA College World Series appearances.

The Razorbacks recorded their best national finish is school history under DeBriyn in 1979, finishing as runner-up in the College World Series. In his 33 seasons at the helm of the Arkansas baseball program, DeBriyn coached 19 All-America selections, six Freshman All-Americans, 58 all-conference selections and 48 all-conference tournament selections. He was named SWC Coach of the Year in 1978, 1982, 1983, 1987, 1989 and 1990, and SEC Coach of the Year in 1999.

DeBriyn, the second Razorback to be inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame, was inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame and the University of Arkansas Sports Hall of Honor in 1991, the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2003 and the Southwest Conference Hall of Fame in 2015. The Ashland, Wis., native is also a member of the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh Athletics Hall of Fame.

The 18th induction class, comprised of players, coaches and other builders of the game who have positively impacted college baseball, will be honored at the 2026 Night of Champions presented on Feb. 12, 2026, in Overland Park, Kan., the home of the College Baseball Hall of Fame. The event will serve as the ceremonial start to the 2026 college baseball season, which begins on Feb. 13, 2026. For more information and to reserve your tickets, please visit the CBF website.

Along with the Hall of Fame inductees, the Night of Champions will celebrate the winners of the 2025 College Baseball Foundation awards, including Roch Cholowksy, UCLA (Brooks Wallace Award); Jake Knapp, North Carolina (National Pitcher of the Year); Evan Dempsey, Florida Gulf Coast (John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year); Brad Neffendorf, LSU Shreveport (Skip Bertman Coach of the Year); and Larry Lee, Cal Poly (Wayne Graham Award for Teaching Excellence).

To be eligible for the College Baseball Hall of Fame ballot, players must be out of college for 15 years and have completed one year of competition at a two-year institution in the CCCAA, NJCAA or a four-year NCAA (Division I, II or III) or NAIA institution. Ballot-eligible coaches must be retired for two years or be active and no less than 75 years old.

2025 COLLEGE BASEBALL HALL OF FAME CLASS
Players

Gene Ammann, Pitcher, Florida State University, 1968-70
Kris Benson, Pitcher, Clemson University, 1994-96
Kip Bouknight, Pitcher, University of South Carolina, 1998-2001
Hubie Brooks, Shortstop, Mesa College/Arizona State University, 1976-78
Gene Hooks, Third Baseman, Wake Forest University, 1947-50
Mike Loynd, Pitcher, Florida State University, 1984-86
Mark McGwire, First Baseman/Pitcher, University of Southern California, 1982-84
Phil Nevin, Third Base, Cal State Fullerton, 1990-92
David Price, Pitcher, Vanderbilt University, 2005-07
Earl Sanders, Pitcher, Jackson State University, 1984-86
Mike Stenhouse, Outfielder, Harvard University, 1977-79
Stephen Strasburg, Pitcher, San Diego State University, 2007-09
Joe Thomas, Pitcher/First Baseman, Marietta College, 1994-97

Coaches

Norm DeBriyn, Coach, University of Arkansas, 1970-2002
*Clint Evans, Coach, University of California, 1930-54
*Ray Fisher, Third Baseman/Pitcher/Coach, Middlebury College 1907-09/1910 (Third Baseman/Pitcher/Coach) / University of Michigan / 1921-59 (Coach)
Les Murakami, Coach, University of Hawai’i, 1968-97
Ray Tanner, Coach, North Carolina State, 1988-96/University of South Carolina, 1997-2012
Jerry Weinstein, Coach, Sacramento State College, 1975-98

* To be inducted posthumously

Administrators / Builders / Umpires

Scott Boras, Agent, University of the Pacific, 1974-77
Paul Guillie, Umpire – 1990-2014/SEC Coordinator of Baseball Umpires – 2014-current

For complete coverage of Arkansas baseball, follow the Hogs on Twitter (@RazorbackBSB), Instagram (@RazorbackBSB) and Facebook (Arkansas Razorback Baseball).

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