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Inside Kim Mulkey’s call for NIL support at LSU: Baton Rouge | Entertainment/Life

On Thursday, LSU basketball coach Kim Mulkey did something unexpected: she asked for help. In a back room at Mansurs on the Boulevard, she met with eight Baton Rouge women — not to talk about X’s and O’s but about money. Some of the women were die-hard fans. At least one admitted she didn’t know […]

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On Thursday, LSU basketball coach Kim Mulkey did something unexpected: she asked for help.

In a back room at Mansurs on the Boulevard, she met with eight Baton Rouge women — not to talk about X’s and O’s but about money. Some of the women were die-hard fans. At least one admitted she didn’t know “what a free throw does.” That didn’t matter. Mulkey was there to explain how women’s sports survive in today’s world.

Thanks to the transfer portal and the rise of name, image and likeness — which allows athletes to earn money while still in school — recruiting has become a high-stakes game.

Lori Brocato LeBlanc, Rose Marie Fife, Kim Mulkey, Jennifer Waguespack, Lisette Prieto, Alli Sims Roberts, Lexie Polito, Jennifer Roberts and Kim Wampold met for lunch on Thursday, May 1, at Mansur’s on the Blvd. to discuss the changing landscape of women’s basketball — and what local women can do to help.  BY JAN RISHER | Staff writer

Once the ladies took their seats, Champagne in hand, Mulkey — who has “never had a drop of alcohol or coffee” — told them she’s not a fundraiser and doesn’t enjoy playing that role.

To stay in the game, in every sense, Mulkey has got to figure out a way to supplement the money the women’s basketball program gets from the LSU athletic department.

“I want to educate you in a way where you understand what’s going on. LSU takes care of me, OK? Our coaches are well paid, I’m well paid,” Mulkey said. “But this NIL, here’s the deal …”

Mulkey gave a crash course on college sports economics — the tectonic shifts of NIL and the power and reach of “television money.”

LSU coach Kim Mulkey is flanked by Rose Marie Fife and Jennifer Waguespack at a private luncheon to raise awareness about the fund raising involved to recruit. The luncheon was held at Mansur’s on the Blvd. in Baton Rouge. BY JAN RISHER | Staff writer

“For all of us in athletics, we’ve got to pull for football, and we’ve got to pull for men’s basketball because the NCAA Tournament is where the men in basketball get the money and we reap it. When we get to the College Football Playoffs, we reap it.”

Mulkey explained that none of the big women’s basketball programs make money — not LSU, not UConn, not Tennessee, not even South Carolina, a program that generated nearly $5.9 million in revenue in fiscal year 2024. The program’s expenses, however, were at $11.5 million, resulting in a $5.6 million loss. 

“Even though you win national championships and you get to the tournament, there’s no dollar value from TV that they’re paying the same way they do for the men, right?” Mulkey said.

LSU coach Kim Mulkey gets a hug from LSU former player and current Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) before the game against the Brazil National Team on Friday, May 2, 2025 at the PMAC in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. STAFF PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON

Most of the women gathered previously had understood NIL to mean that an individual player can get a contract with a sponsor — like Olivia Dunne and Flau’jae Johnson have done — and not that university athletic programs had to guarantee top dollar to athletes to persuade them to sign on the dotted line.

For star players, Mulkey explained, the program itself has to offer what amounts to an annual salary — $400,000 or more for top women’s players, and even higher for the men.

Recruiting wins like LSU getting former South Carolina player MiLaysia Fulwiley don’t come cheap. When asked what a player like Fulwiley costs, Mulkey said that “some kids can be $400,000. Some kids can be $500 grand.”

LSU director of player personnel and influence Jennifer Roberts on the court in an exhibition game against Loyola, Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at the LSU PMAC in Baton Rouge, La. STAFF PHOTO BY HILARY SCHEINUK

Jennifer Roberts, an LSU assistant coach who has been with Mulkey since her days at Louisiana Tech, said she organized the lunch to help get the word out. 

“Kim is the only boss that I’ve ever had,” Roberts said. “I went straight to work for her (after college) and she is tired.”

These were seasoned lunch-goers, but this gathering wasn’t a typical midday meet-up. The conversation zigzagged. At times, it was hard to follow the many tangents. There were questions about how to ensure that the money they give to the Tiger Athletic Foundation goes to support the women’s program. They started brainstorming ways to reach the fundraising gap.

LSU director of player personnel and influence Jennifer Roberts coaches in an exhibition game against Loyola, Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at the LSU PMAC in Baton Rouge, La. STAFF PHOTO BY HILARY SCHEINUK

Then someone tossed out a name that made everyone perk up: Britney Spears.

Mulkey is a big fan. She and Spears both grew up in Tangipahoa Parish. Both played point guard on their high school basketball teams. The group wondered aloud whether Spears might be willing to lend her celebrity to the cause.

Lexie Polito attended the luncheon because she’s been a longtime Mulkey fan. Originally from Ruston where Mulkey played college ball and became an assistant coach, Polito said that “shocked” was not the right word to describe her takeaway from the lunch. 

She added that she was happy to be part of a group of women who want to help, “not only for LSU women’s basketball, but primarily for coach Mulkey.”

Lexie Polito, center, celebrated her birthday at the luncheon with LSU coach Kim Mulkey. From left to right, Allie Sims Roberts, Polito, Jennifer Roberts and Kim Wampold.  BY JAN RISHER | Staff writer

“I’m more in awe of coach Mulkey and her genius in coaching — and that she has to raise money to recruit more,” Polito said. 

Mulkey explained that the pay-to-play conundrum is the reason Nick Saban left coaching. He didn’t sign up to raise money that would allow him to recruit student-athletes. Even though everyone involved wants the athletes to get their due, Mulkey says the current system isn’t sustainable.

Mulkey said Roberts arranged the luncheon not just to educate — but “to keep me from retiring.”



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14-year-old football star hires agent to navigate NIL deals – NBC4 Washington

A football player who just finished eighth grade already rakes in name, image and likeness money and has an agent to help him navigate the sponsorship deals at just 14 years old. Kaden Coleman Bennett has had a knack for finding the end zone on the football field since he first discovered the sport, and […]

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A football player who just finished eighth grade already rakes in name, image and likeness money and has an agent to help him navigate the sponsorship deals at just 14 years old.

Kaden Coleman Bennett has had a knack for finding the end zone on the football field since he first discovered the sport, and he says he’s just getting started.

“I found something that I love; I found something that I wanted to do,” he said. “And you know, since then I’ve always been playing football since I was 4.”

His athletic abilities as a running back have already earned him verbal college offers from Syracuse and Virginia Tech. He also was invited to Bill Belichick’s football camp at the University of North Carolina.

“It is kind of crazy but it’s not hard to see because of, you know, my work ethic and the work that I’ve been put in throughout the years of me with football and school,” said Kaden, who committed to DeMatha Catholic High School.

A strong village helps ensure he keeps up with his practice schedule, potential business deals and his 3.5 GPA, Kaden said. He gives his mother, Brittany Coleman, a lot of credit.

“I’m super proud of him,” she said. “He’s faced a lot of adversity, through youth sports and just different things and people coming at him and stuff like that.”

His dad and stepfather also keep him grounded.

“As a young boy, we always taught him — me and mom — always taught him how to be ready for this moment with these NIL deals,” said his father, Bernard Bennett.

“It is our responsibility to set him up and put him in the position to accomplish the goals that he wants to accomplish,” said his stepdad and trainer, Quinton Brown.

With interest from multiple sponsors and potential NIL deals already knocking on his door, Kaden says having a solid infrastructure is imperative. That’s a key reason he already signed with a sports agent, Terrence Jackson, who is helping facilitate Kaden’s first NIL deals.

“There’s a reason why I’m here, and it’s really just to be … a place of peace. Someone that knows the ins and outs,” Jackson said.

Kaden’s focus is on getting better in order to get to the next level academically, athletically and professionally.

“Eat, sleep, grind and dedication,” he said. “I just keep those four in my pocket every time.”

Kaden aspires to become a biological engineer once he finishes his football career.



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College Basketball Is Finally Fixing The Sport After Getting Bullied All Year About Shitty Endings And Refs Constantly Going To The Monitor

It’s about goddamn time. I’ve said it before, it’s not NIL or transfer portal ruining the sport. It’s the fact that the last 2 minutes of a game takes about 45 minutes of real time because the refs go to the monitor for every single play, there are timeouts, then throw in the fouls and […]

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It’s about goddamn time. I’ve said it before, it’s not NIL or transfer portal ruining the sport. It’s the fact that the last 2 minutes of a game takes about 45 minutes of real time because the refs go to the monitor for every single play, there are timeouts, then throw in the fouls and free throw shooting contests and it sucks. The sport is supposed to be free-flowing. It’s supposed to be get the ball and go, not the ball going out of bounds and everyone waiting 5 minutes as three refs huddle up to look at the monitor. Is it going to fix the sport completely? No, of course not. We’re not dumb here. But this is the massive step in the right direction. It got to the point refs wouldn’t even make a call at the end of the game knowing they can go to the monitor.

Now it’s basically the NBA rule and frankly it makes sense. It never made sense to check who the ball went off of in the last 2 minutes of the game. Points aren’t worth more, 2 points is worth the same on the first possession of the game as the last. What I can’t wait for is to see what coach fucks this up. I do think we need to add something for them to throw. I want to see a disgusted Mick Cronin reaching into his suit pocket and throwing a flag of some sort at a ref. 

It’s even more than this too. We had a nut shot problem this year. Accidental nut shots led to immediate ejections. That’s not the case anymore 

Also get ready for continuation 

Don’t have a problem with this. I do know that refs will be even more confused at the start of the year, but it makes sense to have it. If you pick up your dribble it shouldn’t be on the floor. It’s the absurd continuation that should not happen. All I know is the sport is finally taking a step in the smart direction. Replays and reviews are ruining sports, not just this one. We need less of it. We went years, decades even, without having reviews. It ruins the ending of the sport and that should at least be fixed now. 

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Where Lady Vols basketball targets sit in updated class of 2026 rankings

Where Lady Vols basketball targets sit in updated class of 2026 rankings Tennessee basketball coach Kim Caldwell gives out instructions during practice for the NCAA college basketball tournament on Friday, March 28, 2025, in Birmingham, AL. (Photo by Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images) As the off-season marches on, On3 has […]

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Where Lady Vols basketball targets sit in updated class of 2026 rankings

As the off-season marches on, On3 has updated its rankings of women’s basketball recruits in the 2026 class.

While the Lady Vols are yet to land their first commitment in the class, they are intertwined with some of the best recruits in the cycle.

Here’s a look at where Tennessee targets sit in the updated rankings.

TALK ABOUT IT IN THE ROCKY TOP FORUM

*This is not an exhaustive list of Lady Vols targets, but a quick look at some players they have been tied to to this point.

No. 2 – Kate Harping

Rankings: No. 2 NATL | No. 1 POS | No. 1 ST

Position: PG

Rating: 99 | 5-star

Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia

School: Marist School

Notes: Kim Caldwell offered on July 18, 2024, NIL deal with adidas

No. 5 – Oliviyah Edwards

Rankings: No. 5 NATL | No. 2 POS | No. 1 ST

Position: PF

Rating: 99 | 5-star

Hometown: Tacoma, Washington

School: Elite Sports Academy

Notes: Took a visit to Tennessee in January of 2025, can dunk with ease, NIL deal with adidas

No. 8 – Brihanna Crittendon

Rankings: No. 8 NATL | No. 3 POS | No. 1 ST

Position: SG

Rating: 98 | 5-star

Hometown: Thornton, Colorado

School: Riverdale Ridge

Notes: Took an unofficial visit to Tennessee in August of 2024, UT offered on May 5, 2024

No. 11 – Addison Bjorn

Rankings: No. 11 NATL | No. 5 POS | No. 1 ST

Position: SG

Rating: 97 | 4-star

Hometown: Riverside, Missouri

School: Park Hill

Notes: Tennessee was in ‘Final 15’ released in January

No. 12 – Jacy Abii

Rankings: No. 12 NATL | No. 6 POS | No. 1 ST

Position: SG

Rating: 97 | 4-star

Hometown: Frisco, Texas

School: Liberty

Notes: Tennessee in ‘Top 10’ released this June, was offered on May 16, 2024

No. 13 – Trinity Jones

Rankings: No. 13 NATL | No. 7 POS | No. 1 ST

Position: SG

Rating: 97 | 4-star

Hometown: Bolingbrook, Illinois

School: Bolingbrook

Notes: Visited Tennessee in October of 2024

No. 14 – Bella Flemmings

Rankings: No. 14 NATL | No. 3 POS | No. 2 ST

Position: CG

Rating: 97 | 4-star

Hometown: San Antonio, Texas

School: William J. Brennan

Notes: Brother plays for Houston men’s basketball

No. 41 – Leelee Bell

Rankings: No. 41 NATL | No. 11 POS | No. 1 ST

Position: PF

Rating: 94 | 4-star

Hometown: Minot, North Dakota

School: Minot

Notes: Was offered on May 23, 2025

No. 49 – Natalya Hodge

Rankings: No. 49 NATL | No. 6 POS | No. 2 ST

Position: PG

Rating: 94 | 4-star

Hometown: Knoxville, Tennessee

School: Bearden

Notes: From Knoxville, visited in October of 2024



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Game-changing NCAA settlement begins new era in college sports

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — The House v. NCAA settlement is paving the way for athletes to maximize their brands on and off the field by allowing schools to pay them directly starting July 1. “It’s the largest, most significant change in college sports business that we’ve ever seen,” said Luke Fedlam, a corporate attorney and […]

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The House v. NCAA settlement is paving the way for athletes to maximize their brands on and off the field by allowing schools to pay them directly starting July 1.

“It’s the largest, most significant change in college sports business that we’ve ever seen,” said Luke Fedlam, a corporate attorney and sports law advisor with Amundsen Davis Law Firm.

The multi-billion-dollar settlement includes the NCAA paying nearly $2.8 billion in back pay to former athletes who played in 2016 through present day and giving schools the ability to pay current athletes a limited amount. The annual cap is expected to start at $2.5 million per school with yearly increases. The deal currently lasts for 10 years. Schools can also get directly involved with NIL deals with student athletes.

“One of the things I think is important about this ruling is that it does bring some certainty and a level of certainty to the college sports industry that has really been in a tumultuous kind of time, the wild, wild, West period. This finally brings at least some level of understanding that we’re all moving in the same direction,” said Fedlam.

The NIL expert said the “most significant” sticking point in the judge’s analysis of approving the settlement was roster management. Roster limits go into effect, trimming scholarships for football down to 105 with no walk-on spots. However, student-athletes recruited in the 2025-2026 academic year who lost an opportunity because of roster limits or current athletes facing the same challenge will be viewed as “Designated Student Athletes.”

“Throughout their period of eligibility, they will be able to always be on a roster without affecting the number or the limitation on those roster limits,” said Fedlam.

With the settlement comes the launch of the College Sports Commission, an independent third party, created to enforce NIL rules and regulations. The Commission will oversee Deloitte’s “NIL Go,” a platform used to assess fair market value regarding NIL deals over $600 and monitor whether the deals should be challenged.

The settlement is with the Power Five schools; however, Fedlam noted that other schools can opt into the revenue-sharing model.

“Everything that I’ve heard over the last really 72 hours or so has really been, people are excited that it actually is finally approved,” said Fedlam.

The settlement aims to streamline how NIL is handled. In response, Ohio State launched a unified NIL management team called the “Buckeye Sports Group.” Athletes are not considered employees of the school.

“That is something that was not dealt with in this settlement and something that is going through the court process now, but student athletes are currently not employees,” said Fedlam.

While the landmark settlement sparks a new era in college sports, Fedlam believes Congressional action will be taken in the near future.



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A football player who just finished eighth grade already rakes in name, image and likeness money and has an agent to help him navigate the sponsorship deals at just 14 years old. Kaden Coleman Bennett has had a knack for finding the end zone on the football field since he first discovered the sport, and […]

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14

A football player who just finished eighth grade already rakes in name, image and likeness money and has an agent to help him navigate the sponsorship deals at just 14 years old.

Kaden Coleman Bennett has had a knack for finding the end zone on the football field since he first discovered the sport, and he says he’s just getting started.

“I found something that I love; I found something that I wanted to do,” he said. “And you know, since then I’ve always been playing football since I was 4.”

His athletic abilities as a running back have already earned him verbal college offers from Syracuse and Virginia Tech. He also was invited to Bill Belichick’s football camp at the University of North Carolina.

“It is kind of crazy but it’s not hard to see because of, you know, my work ethic and the work that I’ve been put in throughout the years of me with football and school,” said Kaden, who committed to DeMatha Catholic High School.

A strong village helps ensure he keeps up with his practice schedule, potential business deals and his 3.5 GPA, Kaden said. He gives his mother, Brittany Coleman, a lot of credit.

“I’m super proud of him,” she said. “He’s faced a lot of adversity, through youth sports and just different things and people coming at him and stuff like that.”

His dad and stepfather also keep him grounded.

“As a young boy, we always taught him — me and mom — always taught him how to be ready for this moment with these NIL deals,” said his father, Bernard Bennett.

“It is our responsibility to set him up and put him in the position to accomplish the goals that he wants to accomplish,” said his stepdad and trainer, Quinton Brown.

With interest from multiple sponsors and potential NIL deals already knocking on his door, Kaden says having a solid infrastructure is imperative. That’s a key reason he already signed with a sports agent, Terrence Jackson, who is helping facilitate Kaden’s first NIL deals.

“There’s a reason why I’m here, and it’s really just to be … a place of peace. Someone that knows the ins and outs,” Jackson said.

Kaden’s focus is on getting better in order to get to the next level academically, athletically and professionally.

“Eat, sleep, grind and dedication,” he said. “I just keep those four in my pocket every time.”

Kaden aspires to become a biological engineer once he finishes his football career.

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How the NCAA House Settlement Will Change College Football | Nebraska Football & NIL Discussion

In this episode of Monday Night Therapy, host Minnie Hunt is joined by Pigskin PD (Peter Bartell) and law professor Adam Lamparello for an in-depth look at the NCAA House Settlement and its massive impact on the future of college football. The panel breaks down how the new system allows universities to pay up to […]

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In this episode of Monday Night Therapy, host Minnie Hunt is joined by Pigskin PD (Peter Bartell) and law professor Adam Lamparello for an in-depth look at the NCAA House Settlement and its massive impact on the future of college football. The panel breaks down how the new system allows universities to pay up to $20.5 million annually to athletes, alongside NIL deals, and explores the legal, competitive, and Title IX ramifications. Adam explains why this structure may further widen the gap between powerhouse programs and smaller schools—sparking antitrust concerns and long legal battles.

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The conversation also dives into Nebraska football’s identity, the importance of returning to its physical, trench-dominant style, and head coach Matt Rhule’s efforts to rebuild the program. The group reflects on Nebraska legends like Tommy Frazier and Lawrence Phillips while discussing NIL’s broader impact on player movement, recruiting, and competitive balance across college football.

If you’re passionate about Nebraska football history, college football NIL, or the changing landscape of the sport, this is an essential discussion. Plus, hear some fun memories about the 1869 Rutgers-Princeton game and Nebraska’s storied quarterback legacy.

#NebraskaFootball #CollegeFootballHistory #NIL #NCAASettlement #GoBigRed

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