Collegiate athletics is set to move forward with its new model in the wake of the House vs. NCAA settlement.

It’s a complex time for collegiate sports fans, to be sure, as they look to understand the modifications and how they will be applied and enforced.

Many have kept up with the House vs. NCAA landmark case, which was granted preliminary approval by Judge Claudia Wilken last October before its April 7 hearing.

The final settlement was granted last Friday night, after Wilken pushed back on the roster limit restriction stipulation, wanting that to be applied over time so as not to displace 5,000 student-athletes at once.

Here’s a look at some key elements of the ruling and the initial models and plans to run and regulate the overhauled collegiate sports model.

Settlement Terms

Schools will begin paying student-athletes out of a $20.5 million allowance, or “cap,” for the usage of their name, image and likeness (NIL).

The cap allowance will increase by 4 percent each year of the 10-year agreement.

The settlement terms take effect on July 1 and includes:

• backpay ($2.8 billion) to collegiate athletes who competed between 2016 and 2024, for prior usage of their name, image and likeness

• the elimination of scholarship limits,

• a $20.5 million allowance, or “cap” for schools to pay current student-athletes for the usage of their NIL

• “grandfathered” roster limits — athletes currently on teams will be able to finish their careers through their scholarship terms before new roster limits (105 for football) take effect (list below).

In addition to the $20.5 million athletic departments can disperse through their athletic programs, student-athletes can negotiate outside NIL deals.

Collegiate sports regulation

The Power Four conferences — the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12 and ACC — will regulate and enforce player compensation.

A newly appointed “College Sports Commission” (CSC) will oversee the new system in place that allows schools to share its revenue (via the $20.5 million) and ensure that outside NIL deals are fair and comply with rules.

Former Major League Baseball executive vice president, legal & operations Bryan Seeley was named the CEO of the College Sports Commission (CSC) on Friday night.

Seeley’s CSC will see to it that student-athlete NIL deals not associated with the money paid directly by the university be approved by third-party clearinghouse Deloitte.

Investigations into the deals are expected to be resolved in 45 days, per ESPN sources.

The CSC looks to get schools to sign into an agreement for CEO’s to have the power to make “final factual findings and determinations” on violations of rules, and have the authority “impose such fines, penalties or other sanctions as appropriate” in order to uphold new rules and stipulations.

NIL Deal Approvals

Deloitte’s approvals will put the proposed deals through a clearinghouse called “NIL Go,” which involves a three-step process, as explained in a three-page memo that has been distributed to the schools, per NILrevolution.com.

Per the website, NIL Go will:

• efficiently clear legitimate third-party NIL deals valued at $600 or more

• reflect the true market value of NIL deals without arbitrary value regulation, and,

• support the enforcement of the deals, along with supporting the schools and student-athletes

Deloitte’s NIL Go involves a there-step process:

1. Payor Association Verification

“Schools will initially determine the association status of payors (i.e., whether they are “associated” entities or individuals) to determine whether a fair-market-value assessment is required. In doing so, schools will use several criteria such as whether the entity/individual exists primarily to support the athletics program, provides exclusive NIL opportunities for the school, contributes more than $50,000 over a lifetime, and employs or owns certain roles tied to the school or associated entities”

2. Valid Business Purpose Verification

“Next, schools will determine whether a payor’s intent is to use the student-athlete’s NIL to legitimately advance business objectives. On the payor level, the school will verify the payor’s identity and intent. On the deal level, the school will review the details of the NIL deal and any supporting documents for the purpose of flagging any issues.”

3. Range of Compensation Analysis

“Finally, Deloitte will use a 12-point analysis to assess whether the compensation aligns with similarly situated individuals in comparable NIL deals.

This range of compensation analysis will apply solely to third-party NIL deals with “associated” entities or individuals, using historical deal data involving both college and professional athletes as benchmarks, and excluding roster value and recruiting incentives.

Deloitte will assess factors such as athletic performance, social media presence, local and institutional market size, and brand influence to determine the fair-market-value of each individual student-athlete’s deal.

Upon completion of this process, Deloitte will communicate the status of each individual deal as either “cleared,” “in review,” or “information needed.”

If a student-athlete’s deal falls into either of the latter two categories (i.e., it is not “cleared”) the student-athlete has four options. They may: (1) renegotiate and resubmit the terms of the deal, (2) proceed at risk of eligibility consequences, (3) cancel the deal, or (4) request a neutral arbitrator to review the deal. Deloitte will not block any student-athlete’s deal, instead allowing the student-athlete to make his/her own decision to accept the deal with the understanding that they risk eligibility.”

Moving forward

More questions — and answers — lie ahead about collegiate sports’ new operations model amid this era of pay and free movement and immediate eligibility through the portal.

More lawsuits are expected as the legalities of the stipulations are tested, and more tweaks and modifications will be made as leadership navigates this new landscape.

There are sure to be unintended consequences, in addition to the litigation, for the universities’ leadership to manage and explain.

It’s a new path, to be certain, even as the collegiate sports main objectives and the rules of the games and competitions remain largely the same.

Roster limits

Source: NCSAsports.org

*The listed sports are offered services by NCSA College Recruiting. D1 sports not shown in the table, including Bowling, Fencing, Equestrian, Rifle and Skiing, will also have scholarship and roster implications.

Our focus continues to remain on the blueline after looking at Blake Fiddler. However, we’ll switch back to the left side, which is a bigger hole in the Kings pipeline. There are some additional parallels that they have in common.

Sascha Boumedienne

Vitals

Date of Birth: January 17, 2007
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 183 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: Defense

2024-25 Season

Boumedienne spent most of the 2024-25 season playing for the NCAA for Boston University. In 40 games, he has 13 points (3 G, 10 A).

The Freshest Man

The mobile defender played his freshman season this year; his numbers are all the more impressive, as he was the youngest player in men’s collegiate hockey this year.

NHL Roots

Much like the previously featured Blake Fiddler, whose father Vern played in the NHL, Boumedienne also has ties to the highest level of hockey, as his father, Josef, suited up for Washington, Tampa Bay, and New Jersey.

International Individual

Born in Finland, Boumedienne also has Swedish citizenship, which is who he represents in international competition. Most of his development has been in the United States, though.

Most recently at IIHF’s U-18 World Junior Championship, the lanky rearguard had an outstanding performance. While earning silver, he was awarded WJC All-star honors, best defenseman, most assists (both in tourney and among all defenders – 13), and most points by a defenseman (14).

NHL Combine Results
Boumedienne attended the NHL Combine, and these are the categories in which he was ranked in the top-25:
Horizontal Jump: 110 inches (15th)
Pro Agility – Left Time: 4.37 seconds (20th)
Vertical Jump: 22.85 inches (12th)
No Arm Jump: 20.05 inches (10th)
Bench Press 50% of Body Weight – Power: 6.72 watts/kg (19th)
Left Hand Grip: 150 lbs (tied for 12th)
Right Hand Grip: 161 lbs (tied for 8th)
Pull-Ups Consecutive: 14 (tied for 5th)

Rankings by Independent Scouting Services

Ranked No. 31 by Future Considerations: “Boumedienne is a mobile, offensively inclined defenseman whose game is anchored by elite-level skating, advanced puck-moving ability, and a consistent competitive edge. His straight-line speed and rapid acceleration allow him to close gaps quickly on defense and drive play in transition, while his edgework and lateral agility make him both elusive and dangerous as a puck carrier in tight areas. He uses his feet exceptionally well on retrievals, creating separation with quick turns, weight shifts, and deceptive movement before executing accurate breakout passes that facilitate clean exits. In the offensive zone, his instincts shine as he walks the blue line with confidence, finds shooting lanes, and releases pucks with both velocity and accuracy, particularly when operating on the power play. He possesses a quick-release wrist shot and a powerful one-timer, which he deploys from the point and as a trailer on the rush. His passing touch is another asset, capable of threading pucks through seams or connecting with teammates in high-danger areas, whether off the rush or during extended zone possession. His hockey sense is advanced for his age, demonstrated through his ability to scan, process, and react to plays as they unfold. Boumedienne’s comfort as a power-play quarterback is further high lighted by his well-timed movements away from the puck and his ability to shift into shooting positions fluidly. Defensively, he uses a long reach and decent stick positioning to break up passes and challenge entries, though his physical play and gap control vary from shift to shift. While he does not shy away from contact, he often relies more on stickwork than assertive body engagement, which can limit his effectiveness in board battles or in front of his own net. His decision-making under pressure has also led to costly pinches and turnovers, particularly in moments where he pushes the offensive envelope and fails to recover.”

Ranked No. 15 by Hockey Prospect Radio. “recognized for his ability to excel in the challenging NCAA environment as a 17-year-old freshman. His scouting report emphasizes strong puck-moving skills, high energy, and an excellent skating base, positioning him as a top-25 draft pick. Despite lacking specialization, Boumedienne’s secondary production and playmaking, combined with his adaptability in a structured college system, enhance his appeal as a safer pick. His potential World Junior appearances and ongoing development against older opponents underscore his high ceiling as a versatile, puck-moving defenseman.”

Ranked No. 30 by Smaht Scouting. “Boumedienne is a player whose stock has probably taken a hit over the season. Going into the year many projected him as a player who would go inside the top 20, while now? It seems a toss-up as to whether he will go in the first or second round. This season he made the step up to play College Hockey with Boston University, and while he has more than held his own playing around 18 minutes a night, his lack of top-end offensive skill and clunky edge-work have meant many NHL scouts have real doubts about his ability to be a difference maker at the highest level one day. Additionally, he has struggled with consistency, albeit his game has got better over the season. However, in terms of the positives he is a smooth passer, with solid straight-line speed, good size, solid defensive chops and a tenacious playing style. Furthermore, he is still growing into his frame, and throw several of the defensemen who will likely be drafted ahead of him into College Hockey? They would likely do worse than the young Swede has. Expect a jump in his production next season too when he gets some PP time for the Terriers, as this year he has rarely seen ice in man-up situations, and he excelled there in the USHL. He is an interesting player in a draft that is weak in terms of defensemen. If everything goes well you might get a good second pairing defenseman, and his floor is high enough to say that he should at worst play games in the NHL one day.”

See For Yourself

Video of Boumedienne versus Providence in the NCAA:

Final Comments

From the readings above, the general sense for Boumedienne is he was underwhelming for an offensive defenseman. In a vacuum, it’s a fair criticism. However, we here at Mayor’s Manor love the word “context.”

Many players his age don’t play college hockey. Even in Europe when playing against older competition, prospects get bounced around to play at varying leagues with different levels of difficulty. For this collegiate defenseman, he spent all season (minus time in tournaments). These were hard minutes for someone who turned 18 years old four months ago.

Without the puck, Boumedienne boasts a good-size frame with good mobility in all directions. Consequently, the Oulu-born blueliner can cover a lot of ice. Struggling to make the right defensive reads inhibit moving around effectively though. With coaching and experience, this can improve.

He sees the ice well, particularly in transition. The breakout passes find their mark, which allows for a dangerous attack against the opposition. The vision and puck movement capabilities also make for a good powerplay quarterback.

For a young skater, Boumedienne didn’t back down when challenged. He is more of a puck mover than a puck carrier, despite having good skating ability. From an offensive standpoint, there should be a lot of growth. If the consistency and defensive reads can improve, there is good potential for a top-four defenseman.

Chat with David: You can find him on Twitter @Davidenkness to talk more hockey.

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CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The No. 21 Arizona Wildcats (43-19) won a back-and-forth battle, 10-8, against the No. 1 North Carolina Tar Heels (46-14) on Saturday afternoon to even the Chapel Hill Super Regional and set up a winner-take-all game three.

Saturday’s game featured six lead changes, with third baseman Maddox Mihalakis landing the decisive blow on a first-pitch two-run single in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Arizona got clutch hits up and down the lineup in game two, including a game-tying infield single legged out by Aaron Walton, a go-ahead single by Tommy Splaine in the fifth, a rally-sparking double by Brendan Summerhill in the seventh, and Mihalakis’ game-winning knock.

Reliever Tony Pluta provided lockdown relief for the Wildcats, working a career-long 2.1 scoreless innings and earning the win to improve to 3-0. 

The Wildcats and the Tar Heels both now stand just one win shy of berths in the Men’s College World Series. The Chapel Hill Super Regional will be decided on Sunday at 9:00 a.m. MST on ESPN2.

Arizona WildBATS

• 1B Tommy Splaine: 2-for-4, R, HR, 2 RBI
• 3B Maddox Mihalakis: 2-for-5, 3 RBI
• RF Brendan Summerhill: 2-for-5, R, 2B, RBI
• C Adonys Guzman: 1-for-2, R, RBI, 2 BB
• CF Aaron Walton: 3-for-5, R, RBI
• SS Mason White: 2-for-4, 2 R, BB
• 2B Garen Caulfield: 2-for-5, R
• LF Easton Breyfogle: 1-for-4, 2 R, RBI, BB
• DH Andrew Cain: 1-for-4, R, BB

Bullpen Bullies

Number of the Day

• Saturday’s game featured six lead changes.
• Tony Pluta has not allowed a run in 25-of-27 appearances this season.

Photo of the Day

Social Media Coverage

?? more! pic.twitter.com/n5dNCUrV5k

— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) June 7, 2025

WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW pic.twitter.com/CMukGLgedE

— Arizona Athletics (@AZATHLETICS) June 7, 2025

??? TONY PLUTAAAAAA! pic.twitter.com/BJe1Wi9WRH

— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) June 7, 2025

First pitch swinging and Mad Dawg puts the Cats back in front!! ?? pic.twitter.com/3ZrccD31QZ

— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) June 7, 2025

Thrill sneaks one inside the bag and gets a run back! ?? pic.twitter.com/GNkaiHSUyK

— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) June 7, 2025

Mad Dawg checks in with a knock! White scores, Cats by 2? pic.twitter.com/kjUHIKbEiU

— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) June 7, 2025

Tommy Smokes! Cats retake the lead! ????? pic.twitter.com/55DFyapB5N

— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) June 7, 2025

Tie ballgame ?? Walton legs out an infield single! pic.twitter.com/tfPzIKeo4U

— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) June 7, 2025

Went up and got it ?? pic.twitter.com/a8bwQ0hViZ

— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) June 7, 2025

Tommy Splaine: Defensive wizard ????? pic.twitter.com/w5uxQsoVev

— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) June 7, 2025

Next Up

The Wildcats and Tar Heels square off in a winner-take-all game three on Sunday afternoon at Boshamer Stadium. First pitch on ESPN2 is scheduled at 9:00 a.m. MST for the right to advance to the Men’s College World Series.
 

With just under three weeks until the 2025 NHL Draft, the Utah Mammoth got an up-close view — and extended conversations — with some of the prospects they could potentially pick.

This year’s NHL Scouting Combine took place in Buffalo, New York, and included 57 forwards, 27 defensemen and five goaltenders from North America and Europe. The event spanned from June 2-7, during which the athletes underwent physical and medical exams, interviews with organizations and fitness testing.

The combine also allows teams to get to know the players outside of the game – extra time and dinners can be requested.

The Mammoth’s stroke of luck in May’s NHL Draft Lottery saw them advance 10 spots and secure the fourth overall pick. Accordingly, general manager Bill Armstrong and his staff had a group of top-tier prospects to assess at the combine.

Here are three Mammoth storylines to come out of Buffalo.

Who did the Utah Mammoth take to dinner?

While taking a prospect out to dinner does not automatically mean a team is going to draft them, it does show a heightened level of interest in the product. Tij Iginla, for one, ate with the Mammoth during the 2024 NHL Combine (as did several players) and was subsequently selected sixth overall by the organization at that year’s draft.

So, the list of diners is not a tell on who exactly Utah wants to pick — there are, after all, three teams ahead of it who could change the draft board — but it does indicate who they’re looking further into.

Based on reports from the combine, the Mammoth had dinner with Michael Misa, James Hagens, Jake O’Brien, Brady Martin and Porter Martone. No other prospects were confirmed on that list as of Sunday.

Misa is expected to go shortly after defenseman Matthew Schaefer, who is the projected No. 1 pick. He might not be in Utah’s reach, but if he were left on the table, Armstrong would likely strike.

The 6-foot-1, 184-pound center was the captain of the Saginaw Spirit in the OHL this season and posted 134 points (62 goals, 72 assists) in 65 games.

“For me, I feel like I am ready to make that jump next year. That’s ultimately my goal to make the NHL next year,” Misa said to reporters. “I think gaining that center experience that I had this year definitely helped my game and just trying to become that more reliable 200-foot player, defensively as well.”

Hagens was the consensus No. 1 pick just a year ago; however, his stock has dropped a bit since then — meaning there’s a possibility Utah could have the choice to select him. And so, a steak meal was had. Hagens just played his freshman season of NCAA hockey at Boston College and had 37 points (11 goals, 26 assists) in 37 games. He’s a dynamic center who stands at 5-foot-11, 176 pounds; undersized for the group of top-5 forwards in the draft.

“Teams have asked a bunch of different questions. I think I just love to make my case that I love to win,” Hagens said. “I want to be able to win a Stanley Cup with whatever team takes a chance on me. No matter where I go, I know I will bring my compete and always want to win.”

O’Brien, Martone and Martin feel more realistic for Utah. The NHL’s Central Scouting released its 2025 Draft Prospect Rankings and had O’Brien at No. 4 of all North American skaters, Martone at No. 6 and Martin at No. 11. Those are to be taken with a grain of salt, of course, but just used to give a sense of the Mammoth’s range.

O’Brien — who reportedly came in 12 pounds heavier than he was in-season — is a 17-year-old center who is 6-foot-2, 170 pounds. The Toronto native had 98 points (32 goals, 66 assists) in 66 games with the Brantford Bulldogs this season in the OHL. O’Brien said his strengths are his hockey IQ and ability to pass the puck; he’d like to work on his first three steps and getting away from coverage. O’Brien seemed to enjoy the combine process.

“It’s just cool meeting the GMs and stuff. Just kind of having a relaxing conversation, getting to know them,” he said. “Just person to person — not really stressing out about the draft or anything. Having a good dinner and everything.”

Martone, on the other hand, could bring Utah the top-six size and scoring touch it needs in the next few years. But he is a right-wing, not a center. At 6-foot-3, 208 pounds, Martone logged 98 points (37 goals, 61 assists) in 57 games as the captain of the Brampton Steelheads in the OHL.

Of all these prospects, it was Martin who drew the most noise from the Mammoth, though. So let’s give him a section to himself. Keep reading.

What is the noise around Brady Martin?

Cam Robinson of Elite Prospects reported Saturday that, “Word around the campfire is that Utah *really* likes Brady Martin. Wouldn’t be shocking to see him go at No. 4.”

Martin’s name has not been in the top 5 for a lot of the draft analysts’ mock orders, but it appears scouts have a different opinion of him and the impact he could make at the NHL level.

Martin measured in at 6 feet, 186 pounds at the combine, but plays bigger than his size. The center has a high-end shot paired with punishing physicality. Martin had 72 points (33 goals, 39 assists) in 57 games as the assistant captain of the OHL’s Soo Greyhounds. He was also assistant captain for Team Canada in the WJC-18 this year and had 11 points (three goals, eight assists) in seven games.

The native told reporters he looks up to NHLers like Sam Bennett, Tom Wilson and Matthew Knies — all guys that have the edge and pure production skill that the Mammoth are missing in their top six.

“I’m a 200-foot forward, plays physical, competes hard every shift. And loves to win,” Martin said. “If you look at the teams in the finals now and the way they play — [Zach] Hyman’s obviously out — but I think the way he plays is the way I play…I go around and play physical every shift.”

Martin does not have a strict offseason schedule. It is somewhat unique for a modern-day prospect. Instead, he builds muscle on his family’s farms. They have 4,000 pigs, 60,000 chickens and 250 dairy cows, he said. There is a lot of work to go around.

“I just work on the farm. I obviously train a bit, but I haven’t gotten too much into hockey training — just kind of farm strong is what they call it, I guess,” Martin said. “I grew up and always had responsibilities and was disciplined. I think that helps coming through hockey, too.”

Martin said he met with 27 teams this week and “wasn’t expecting” teams in the top of the draft to request to have dinner with him; he dined with Utah, the Nashville Predators (pick No. 5), Philadelphia Flyers (pick No. 6) and Boston Bruins (pick No. 7).

“You think about that but at the same time, you don’t want to get expectations too high. You just want to wait for the draft and see what happens,” Martin said. “I wasn’t expecting it. But I think I proved myself quite a bit at the end of the season here so I’m hoping it goes well for me.”

It seems Armstrong is still open to listening to possible trade packages that include his No. 4 selection, but if he chooses to keep it, keep an eye on Martin.

Where was Caleb Desnoyers?

Caleb Desnoyers is another highly-touted center who could be an option for the Mammoth. The 18-year-old was at the Combine but did not participate in any of the testing — he is waiting for MRI results for injuries on both of his wrists, per Scott Wheeler of The Athletic. Desnoyers told Wheeler he has been playing through it since November.

The circumstances did not hinder Desnoyers’ performance, though. He had 84 points (35 goals, 49 assists) in 59 games with the Moncton Wildcats in the QMJHL. Desnoyers helped lead his team to the QMJHL championship in May and earned playoffs MVP with 30 points (nine goals, 21 assists) in 19 postseason matchups. All of that with two hurt wrists.

“Pretty much anything that you can imagine that you need your hands for hockey was affected by it,” Desnoyers said. “Lucky enough, I had good staff, good facilities and my therapist in Moncton is excellent. … Just did a lot of treatments, mentally get through it and give my 100% every night.”

When asked what his recovery plan is for the offseason, Desnoyers said he had not had time to think about it yet because his QMJHL season had just come to an end. Will he need surgery? Desnoyers said “we’ll see” when the results come back.

Moncton swiftly named Desnoyers captain for next season but he has not made a decision if he will return yet. That will be a discussion with the team that drafts him. Wheeler also reported that Boston College has shown interest in bringing Desnoyers over to NCAA hockey for at least a year.

Desnoyers’ injuries could leave some needed time for development, or they could not. It is yet to be seen. In the meantime, there are clear aspects Desnoyers is focusing on in his game.

“Physical strength is probably the main thing. Also, get some explosiveness on the ice. Be able to create some more separation with defenders,” Desnoyers said. “I’ll have a big summer and I’m looking forward to it.”

Desnoyers said he met with around 20 teams at the Combine. It was not confirmed whether he had extended conversation or dinner with the Utah Mammoth.

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≡ SPOTLIGHTS ≡

● NCAA ● On Friday, U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken approved the massive settlement in House vs. NCAA, which will allow schools to start paying its players directly, with 95% of a yearly payment of $20.5 million to go to football and basketball players.

All other sports are under threat, and the American Volleyball Coaches Association, College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America, National Wrestling Coaches Association and U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association released a statement:

“Today, the Honorable Judge Claudia Wilken approved a settlement agreement resolving three antitrust lawsuits related to compensation for college student-athletes. While Judge Wilken’s decision marks significant progress in addressing the evolving college sports landscape, we remain deeply concerned about the potential negative impact the settlement may have on broad-based sports programs.

“We are concerned that the new financial obligations placed on schools will force administrators to divert their attention and resources away from non-football and non-basketball sports – the programs where the majority of NCAA student-athletes participate. This is no hypothetical.

“Budget cuts and program eliminations have already taken place in anticipation of today’s outcome, and more are likely to follow. Furthermore, the settlement leaves unaddressed the critical issues of employment classification for student-athletes and the application of Title IX, creating further uncertainty and risk for our sports programs in particular.

“The future of college sports must not disproportionately benefit a small fraction of the NCAA student-athlete population while jeopardizing opportunities for others. Congress must intervene to address these pressing issues and ensure a balanced, equitable path forward for all student-athletes, including the protection of existing requirements of schools to maintain robust sport sponsorship and meaningful allocation of resources for non-football and non-basketball programs.”

All four are insisting that the sports sponsorship requirements for Division I classification be continued (16 for Football Bowl Subdivision) and the establishment of “proportional spending targets” to protect these sports.

● Swimming ● The U.S. nationals are over, but the Canadian Trials started on Saturday in Victoria, British Columbia, with star Summer McIntosh, 18, destroying the women’s 400 m Freestyle world record.

She won by more than 13 seconds in a startling 3:54.18, shattering Australia’s Ariarne Titmus’ 3:55.38 mark from 2023. She said afterwards:

“To be honest, I just didn’t really feel a lot of pain in that race. I felt so strong throughout and that’s never been the case in the 400 freestyle for me. That last 100, I’m usually really, really hurting. But I flipped at the 200 and I was just cruising. I knew I was having a strong swim and I could tell by the crowd and the way they were cheering that I was probably close to the world record, so I really tried to push that last part for them.”

≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡

● Paralympic Games ● The International Paralympic Committee has been steadily working to have Paralympic sports governed by separate federations and not the IPC itself. It is now looking for independent governance of the two biggest sports of all:

“The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and World Para Sports are seeking partners interested in taking over the governance of the sports of Para athletics, Para swimming, or both.

“The Expression of Interest (EOI) is open to cities, national governments, sport organisations and other entities willing to assist with the transfer of governance and establishment of independent bodies for Para athletics and Para swimming.”

Para athletics accounted for about 25% of all participants in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, and swimming had 13% of the athletes and 25% of the medal events. Interest must be signaled by 27 June 2025.

● Enhanced Games ● Another denouncement of the Enhanced Games, this time from the “OneVoice” group, representing the governmental representatives which are part of the World Anti-Doping Agency’s Foundation Board and Executive Committee:

“[W]e firmly oppose the concept of the so-called Enhanced Games, which promotes the use of performance-enhancing drugs under the guise of competition and advancing sport science. Such initiatives not only endanger athlete health but also fundamentally contradict the values of clean sport and the global consensus enshrined in the World Anti-Doping Code.

“Furthermore, athletes, coaches and others associated with the Enhanced Games also needlessly risk being ineligible for other events and competitions, among other potential consequences.”

● Athletics ● The third and final disqualification of the Russian finalists at the 2012 Olympic women’s 800 m was competed Friday as the Athletics Integrity Unit reported that the appeal by Elena Guliyev against a four-year doping ban was dismissed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport:

“In reaching its judgement, CAS upheld the decision to disqualify the 34-year-old’s results from 17 July 2012 to 20 October 2014, confirming the loss of her reallocated Olympic silver medal. Guliyev (formerly Poistogova), who now represents Turkey, finished third in the Olympic 800-metres final on 11 August 2012 but her position was upgraded to silver after the original gold medallist – her former Russian team-mate, Mariya Savinova – was disqualified in 2017 for doping.

“That elevated South Africa’s Caster Semenya to gold and Guliyev to silver. Kenya’s Pamela Jelimo is now poised to be upgraded to silver and USA’s Alysia Montano to bronze.”

Guiliyev appealed a March 2024 decision by the Court of Arbitration, which instituted the four-year ban. The third Russian finalist, Elena Arzhakova, finished sixth, but was also disqualified in 2013 for issues dealing with her Athlete Biological Passport.

The process is not over, however:

“World Athletics and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) are now proceeding with the next steps: World Athletics’ Competition Department disqualifying Guliyev’s results and thereafter notifying the IOC that World Athletics has modified the relevant results and rankings on their website. The IOC may then proceed with the reallocation of Olympic medals and the update of the IOC database.”

¶

USA Track & Field announced the U.S. marathon entries for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo (JPN), with Clayton Young (2:08:12 in 2024), CJ Albertson (2:08:17) and Reed Fischer (2:10:14) for the men and Betsy Saina (2:19:17), Susanna Sullivan (2:21:56) and Erika Kemp (2:22:56 in 2025).

On Thursday, the Chicago Marathon announced that Olympic eighth-placer Conner Mantz will try for the American Record of 2:05:38 at this year’s race on 12 October. Khalid Khannouchi’s mark has stood since 2002.

Mantz ran 2:05:08 for fourth at the 2025 Boston Marathon, on a non-record-eligible course.

● Boxing ● Algeria’s women’s Olympic 66 kg gold medalist Imane Khelif skipped the Eindhoven Box Cup in The Netherlands after early indications she might fight there.

World Boxing announced last week that sex screening will be required for all contestants in the women’s division, beginning on 1 July, and singled out Khelif – inappropriately, as it later apologized – as being required to take the test. She won the tournament last year.

Eindhoven mayor Jeroen Dijsselbloem said in a letter:

“As far as we are concerned, all athletes are welcome in Eindhoven. Excluding athletes based on controversial ‘gender tests’ certainly does not fit in with that. We are expressing our disapproval of this decision today and are calling on the organization to admit Imane Khelif after all.”

● Figure Skating ● The Chinese pair of Wenjing Sun and Cong Han, the Beijing 2022 Olympic champions, have declared their return to competition.

They have not competed since 2022, with Han citing injuries; he is 32 now. The pair won the Olympic silver in 2018 and World Championships golds in 2017 and 2019.

● Gymnastics ● More from USA Gymnastics chief executive Li Li Leung, speaking to The Associated Press on her announcement that she will resign at the end of the year.

Saying she’d “like a little bit of a rest,” she added:

“The organization is in a great place right now. I feel comfortable about being able to hand it over in this situation, in this position, to my successor who can then build on all the achievements we’ve had so far.

“From a timing perspective, it would be completely unfair of me to say to the Board in 2027: ‘Hey I’m out. Now you have to figure out how to get us to L.A.’”

● Ice Hockey ● The International Ice Hockey Federation announced its men’s Player of the Year candidates, including two members of the historic U.S. World Championship team, leading scorer Clayton Keller and goalkeeper Jeremy Swayman.

Swiss forward Denis Malgin from the silver medalists tied for the most assists at the Worlds with 10 and teammate Sven Andrighetto led all goal scorers with seven.

Czech forward David Pasternak was the leading scorer at the Worlds with 15 points in eight games. Canada’s Nathan MacKinnon tied for third in Worlds scoring, at 13 points in eight games.

Voting among media and IIHF officials will close on 13 June.

≡ RESULTS ≡

● Archery ● The important World Archery World Cup II in Antalya (TUR) was a trial for new scoring, with the center gold ring worth 11 points instead of 10, trying to better separate what are increasingly accurate archers in international competitions.

Two-time Worlds medal winner Marcus D’Almeida (BRA) stormed through the men’s Recurve division, winning the final over surprise runner-up Buianto Tsyrendorzhiev (KAZ), by 6-0, with Batistie Addis (FRA) finishing third.

The all-Korean women’s final saw Paris Olympic champ Si-hyeon Lim shut down Tokyo 2020 winner San An, 6-0. Casey Kaufhold of the U.S., the 2021 Worlds runner-up, took the bronze medal, 6-4, over Loredana Spera (ITA).

Kaufhold, Catalina GNoriega and Jennifer Mucino won the women’s team title, 6-2, over Italy, after getting past Korea’s Lim, An and Chae-young Kang in the semifinal. The match went to a fifth end and both sides shot 30, but the best American arrow – an 11 – was deemed closer to the center and earned the win.

World Archery reported that this was “the first time the USA has defeated Korea in a major competition after 20 attempts.”

South Korea won the men’s Team final over Germany, 5-4, and Olympic star Woo-jin Kim and Lim won the Mixed Team title, 6-2, over Germany.

In the Compound finals, France’s Nicolas Girard edged American Nick Kappers in the men’s final by 157-154, and Mexico’s Andrea Becerra won the women’s final, 159-151 over Seung-yeon Han (KOR). In the Mixed Team, an Olympic event for 2028, the U.S. pair of Alexis Ruiz and Curtis Broadnax took the gold over Germany’s Katharina Raab and Paolo Kunsch, 166-157.

● Athletics ● Fast sprinting at the Racers Grand Prix in Kingston (JAM), with Olympic silver medalist Kishane Thompson moving to fourth in the world for 2025, winning the men’s 100 m in 9.88 (wind: 0.0), ahead of countryman Oblique Seville (9.97).

Bryan Levell (JAM) won the 200 m in a fast 19.79, but with +2.5 m/s wind, while World Indoor 400 m champ Chris Bailey of the U.S. taking the 400 m in 44.74. Paris Olympic bronze winner Rasheed Broadbell won the 110 m hurdles in 13.06 (+0.7), just ahead of American Trey Cunningham (13.08) with Eric Edwards of the U.S. in third (13.40).

Tina Clayton (JAM) continued her hot sprinting, winning the women’s 100 m in 10.98 (+1.8) with Jacious Sears of the U.S. second (11.04). Two-time World Champion Shericka Jackson (JAM) won the women’s 200 m in 22.53 (+1.0), with Caisja Chandler of the U.S. in third (22.92).

Lynna Irby-Jackson of the U.S. won the 400 m (50.23), and American Alia Armstrong took the 100 m hurdles in 12.54 (+1.1), ahead of World Indoor 60 m hurdles winner Devynne Charlton (BAH: 12.65).

¶

Stunning result from the TOAD Fest in Brentwood, Tennessee on Saturday, with 2019 World 800 m Champion Donavan Brazier winning the men’s open 800 m in 1:44.70, his first recorded race since 2022! He ran away from Shane Streich (1:47.20) for the victory.

It’s Brazier’s fastest outdoor 800 since 2020, with a long series of injuries dogging him since the 2021 Olympic Trials.

¶

At the women-only New York Mini 10K in Central Park, Kenyan star Hellen Obiri pulled away from American Weini Kelati and won Saturday’s race in 30:44. Kelati, the 10,000 m Olympic Trials winner in 2024, was a close second in 30:49, bettering the American road 10 km record of 30:52 by Shalane Flangan in Boston in 2016!

Fourth was Taylor Roe in 30:58, moving to no. 2 on the all-time U.S. list.

● Badminton ● Two wins for South Korea highlighted the BWF World Tour Indonesia Open in Jakarta (INA).

In the men’s Singles, 2019 Worlds runner-up Anders Antonsen (DEN) edged 2022 Worlds bronzer Tien Chen Chou (TPE), 22-20, 21-14, and Olympic champ Se Young An (KOR) came from a set down to beat two-time Asian champ Zhi Yi Wang (CHN) in the women’s final, 13-21, 21-19, 21-15.

Korea got a second win in the men’s Doubles, while China took the women’s Doubles and France won the Mixed Doubles.

● Canoe-Kayak ● Olympic champion Jessica Fox (AUS) was only ninth in the qualifying for the C-1 women’s race at the ICF Slalom World Cup in La Seu d’Urgell (ESP), but she was in great form in the final, winning in 98.42 seconds, with two penalties.

That was good enough, over Spain’s Miren Lazkano (102.52/4) and Czech Martina Satkova (102.80/0). It was Fox’s 53rd career World Cup victory and her 34th in C-1.

In the women’s Kayak final, Slovakia’s 2023 World U-23 C-1 champ Sona Stanovska was the winner at 93.50 (2 penalties), ahead of veteran star Camille Prigent (FRA: 94.31/0) and Monica Doria (AND: 94.61/2).

Seven-time Worlds medalist Luka Bozic (SLO) was a clear winner in the men’s C-1, timing 87.62 with no penalties, beating Paris silver medalist Adam Burgess (GBR: 88.79/0) and Paris Olympic winner Nicolas Gestin (FRA: 89.29/2). American Casey Eichfield was ninth (92.39/2).

The men’s Kayak final was a French 1-2 for Titouan Castryck (81.90/0) and Anatole Delassus (82.78/0), with Lucien Delfour (AUS: 83.56/2) finishing third.

Spain’s Manuel Ochoa won the men’s Kayak Cross final over Jonny Dickson (GBR), while Angele Hug (FRA) took the women’s final, with Tereza Kneblova (CZE) second.

● Cycling ● The four-stage UCI Women’s World Tour Tour of Britain had three different stage winners and three different leads after three days, with third-stage winner Cat Ferguson (GBR) winning the 143.8 km ride in and around Kelso in 3:42.37, and taking just a three-second lead into Sunday, over Ally Wollaston (NZL) and 12 seconds on Karlijn Swinkels (NED).

Dutch star Lorena Wiebes won Sunday’s mass sprint finish in 1:57:13 at the end of a flat, 82.2 km route in Glasgow, with Wollaston third and Ferguson seventh. With the intermediate and final time bonuses, Wollaston gained 13 seconds to six for Ferguson and won the overall title by four seconds in 10:36:45! Swinkels finished third at +0:22.

¶

At the UCI Mountain Bike World Series in Leogang (AUT), Czech star Ondrej Cink, now 34 and the 2015 Worlds XCO bronze winner finally got his first World Series gold in the men’s Cross Country Olympic race, winning in 1:25:05, 18 seconds up on Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Mathias Fluckiger (SUI: 1:25:23) and teammate Fabio Pintener (1:25:32).

American Christopher Blevins, the 2021 World Short Track champ, maintained a perfect record with his fourth Short Track win in a row this season, just barely winning over Martin Vidaurre (CHI), with both timed in 23:00, with Charlie Aldridge (GBR) third in 23:01.

Dutch star Puck Pieterse, the 2024 XCO World Champion, won her fifth career World Series gold in dominating fashion, 1:26:39 to 1:27:29 over Samara Maxwell (NZL), with Ramona Forchini (SUI: 1:28:05) in third.

Pieterse won her second straight Short Track race in 21:13, a clear winner over Maxwell (21:29) and Nicole Koller (SUI: 21:34). American Savilla Blunk was eighth in 22:05.

In the Downhill finals, Canada’s Jackson Goldstone won for the second straight time, in 2:57.229, ahead of five-time World Champion Loic Bruni (FRA: 2:57.288) and Henri Kiefer (GER: 2:57.764). Canada also won the women’s race with a second straight victory for Gracey Hemstreet, over American Anna Newkirk and World Champion Valentina Hoell (AUT), 3:21.962-3:22.827-3:24.389.

● Football ● The U.S. men faced Turkey in rainy East Hartford, Connecticut on Saturday in a friendly, starting beautifully, but disappointed for the last 88 minutes in a 2-1 loss.

Twenty-one-year-old midfielder Jack McGlynn – in his fifth cap – electrified the crowd with a sensational strike on the right side, taking a pass from forward Malik Tillman, dribbling toward the box and setting up a left-footed strike that flew into the far right side of the Turkish goal for a 1-0 lead after 59 seconds. It was officially credited as a second-minute goal.

But Turkey struck back. In the 24th, U.S. midfielder Johnny Cardoso was trying to clear a ball in front of the American net, but his pass bounced off the knee of forward Arda Guler and bounded into the net for a 1-1 tie. Then, striker Kerem Akturkoglu scored off another failed clearance in front of the U.S. net in the 27th to take the lead. Although the U.S. had 60% possession in the half, Turkey was the aggressor with nine shots to three.

The U.S. was the aggressor in the second half, and Tillman had a fabulous chance in the 61st, but his straight-on header in front of the Turkish goal was caught by debut keeper Berke Ozer. But the score did not change and it ended 2-1, with the U.S. getting 59% possession and finishing with a 13-11 shots edge (10-3 in the half), but coming up short for the third straight match.

The Americans will face Switzerland on Tuesday (10th) in Nashville, Tennessee next.

● Skateboard ● Japan’s 14-year-old Mizuho Hasegawa scored an impressive win at the World Skate Tour Park final in Rome (ITA), with a build-up to a fourth and winning run.

Starting at 77.53 in the first round, Hasegawa scored 89.64 in the second round, but still had to overcome Arisa Trew (AUS), who scored 92.43 to take the lead. Hasegawa replied with a 92.80 to take the lead and finished with her 93.34 for the win. Trew remained in second and Cocona Hiraki (JPN) scored 91.62 on her last run to move up to third.

The men’s final had Spain’s Egoitz Bijueska take the lead on his first run at 92.54 and never relinquish it, improving to 94.50 in the final round to win. Japan’s Paris Olympian Yuro Nagahara was a clear second (92.30) with Gui Khury (BRA: 92.01) third.

● Sport Climbing ● Japan’s Olympic silver winner Soratu Anraku was going for a fourth straight win at the IFSC Bouldering World Cup in Prague (CZE), but France’s Mejdi Schalck, the 2023 Worlds runner-up, was almost perfect on his way to a 99.1 score and the win.

Anraku scored 84.1 and took second on criteria over Samuel Richard (FRA: also 84.1).

The women’s final was canceled due to safety concerns from strong winds, so the semifinal standings were used, with France’s 2023 Worlds silver winner Oriane Bertone (84.8) and Agathe Calliet (FRA: 69.7) finishing 1-2, and Melody Sekikawa (JPN: 69.5) in third.

¶

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It’s been a busy week for the Flyers, so this is undoubtedly a happy Sunday.

It’s been a great week, with plenty of fun all around for us, however. The Flyers had themselves a busy week in Buffalo at the NHL Draft Combine, with plenty of notes coming from the event.

Draft boards are also starting to take shape. The Flyers will have options, but is there an ideal player? Additionally, a conference rival is starting to get desperate, and Philly could take full advantage of it.

Also, could a Russian star be tempted to return to his KHL club soon? Check it out in today’s edition of the PhHN Daily (still taking name suggestions).

Read More: PhHN Daily: Flyers Trade Rumors; Combine Talk; Game 2 Evens the Score

Philadelphia Flyers

Philly Hockey Now: The Flyers are going to have some tough choices to make on June 27th. While they are likely to get the leftover tier two prospect after teams pick at three, four, and five, they will still get a good player. But who is the ideal player to fall? In our latest PhHN+ story, we rank the ideal draft pick for the Flyers at No. 6.

NHL Draft Combine: The Flyers had themselves a busy week in Buffalo. With eight picks in the top 70, the Flyers had lots of research to do. Check out our combine wrap for everything Flyers-related from this past week in Buffalo.

Sabres Getting Desperate

Yesterday, Elliote Friedman reported that the Buffalo Sabres are willing to trade top prospects in order to get right-now help. That would go hand in hand with recent reports that many of Buffalo’s stars are becoming unhappy with the team’s timeline.

To me, this sounds like some very important players said, ‘Make us competitive,’ or ‘I want out.’ It seems like a desperate move. If they are going to get desperate, the Flyers should jump all over it in one way or another.

Maybe now would be a great time to revisit a possible Bo Byram trade?

Read More: Should the Flyers Take A Risk on Bowen Byram?

National Hockey Now

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Jackson Smith may very well be playing hockey in the state of Pennsylvania very, very soon. However, even if he does not attend Penn State, he still could end up in the Keystone State sooner rather than later. Dave Molinari has the story for Pittsburgh Hockey Now.

New Jersey Hockey Now: The New Jersey Devils need to add scoring forwards to their roster, and some perfect fits may have come available. James Nichols breaks down the three forwards that have recently become available.

Montreal Hockey Now: Ivan Demidov is in Montreal and is a rostered player on the Habs. Almost everyone is content with that, except for one important person, who is trying to get the star rookie to return to Russia.

Read More: Flyers 2025 Draft Rankings (+)

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