Sports
She's Softball's First $1 Million Pitcher—and She Could Be the Last
The Texas Tech softball team is just two wins away from the Women’s College World Series for one spectacular reason. It has a pitcher worth $1 million. That’s not hyperbole. Texas Tech’s booster collective actually paid NiJaree Canady a cool million to transfer from Stanford, where she was already a star, and suit up for […]

The Texas Tech softball team is just two wins away from the Women’s College World Series for one spectacular reason.
It has a pitcher worth $1 million.
That’s not hyperbole. Texas Tech’s booster collective actually paid NiJaree Canady a cool million to transfer from Stanford, where she was already a star, and suit up for the Red Raiders this season.
And it looks like money well spent. Canady is responsible for 58% of Texas Tech’s wins. She has posted 28 wins against just five losses and struck out 272 batters over 191 innings pitched through Tuesday.
“She’s one of the top women athletes, so in my mind she deserved what some of those male athletes are getting,” said Tracy Sellers, who funded an endorsement from the school’s donor collective with her husband, John, a former Red Raiders defensive lineman. “I hope it’s setting the stage for the next girl.”
But athletes like Canady are suddenly an endangered species. That’s because a new set of rules that would severely restrict how much boosters can pay college athletes is likely to be enacted in the coming days. The ripple effect could mean fewer softball players, golfers, sprinters and other athletes from lower-profile sports earning big paydays.
If and when Judge Claudia Wilken approves a settlement to a consolidation of three antitrust lawsuits brought by athletes against the major conferences and the NCAA, two big shifts are set to take place. First, each college athletic department will be allowed to share about $20 million of its annual revenues with athletes. But roughly 90% of that money is expected to go to the marquee sports of football and men’s basketball—leaving scraps for sports like softball.
Second, outside deals for athletes to profit from their name, image or likeness (NIL) would begin to go through a new clearinghouse overseen by Deloitte.
In that clearinghouse, deals by major companies like Nike or State Farm are likely to pass muster, said someone familiar with a committee set up by the Power 5 conferences and NCAA to implement the settlement. Deals like Canady’s, funded primarily by booster collectives, are not.
“Booster deals are going to be more difficult to pass,” the person familiar said, adding: “The system is set up to not allow third parties to pay for play.”
After Canady’s sophomore season at Stanford last year, the pitcher entered the transfer portal, where a handful of powerhouse schools lined up to woo her. But it was the last place she visited—Lubbock, Texas—that won Canady over.
The key piece of her move was an endorsement deal from the donor collective known as the Matador Club, worth just over $1 million.
Since the Sellers became billionaires by flipping oil and gas leases in West Texas’s Permian Basin, they’ve donated handsomely to their alma mater. The couple gave $11 million to Texas Tech athletics in 2022, including $1 million for softball facility upgrades.
Canady had six-figure offers from other schools, but nothing close to what the Matador Club offered. But John Sellers, who described himself as a “ready, fire, aim” kind of guy, wanted to make a statement.
But donors like the Sellers could soon become much less influential. That is down to college sports’ continued resistance to characterizing athletes as employees, a move that would require a slew of new rights and regulations.
“I think if people/donors want to invest in sports, specifically Olympic and female sports, they should be given that opportunity,” Canady said. “Oftentimes athletes in these sports don’t really have opportunities to make life-changing deals after college.”
The NIL clearinghouse won’t preclude athletes like Canady from signing endorsement deals, but it will bring considerably more oversight. The organization will want to know, for instance, how a booster club can get $1 million of value in marketing from a player with a profile like Canady, who has 34,000 followers on Instagram but is hardly a household name.
Colleges’ pot of revenue-sharing money won’t be subject to such scrutiny, meanwhile, as long as schools stay under the $20.5 million limit. So an offensive lineman, anonymous as he may be, could receive $1 million directly from his school. But a star lacrosse player would be hard-pressed to gain approval for a $1 million outside of an NIL deal bankrolled by a wealthy alum.
Some in college sports say nixing such deals risks pushing booster money back under the table—where it was for decades.
For the moment, before the settlement is approved, athletes and booster collectives are scrambling to cut deals under the old regulations. The Matador Club has already signed Canady to a one-year extension worth another $1 million, according to a person familiar with the deal.
“Until we figure out exactly what they’re going to let go on,” Tracy Sellers said, “why not keep going?”
Write to Rachel Bachman at Rachel.Bachman@wsj.com and Laine Higgins at laine.higgins@wsj.com
Sports
FOX News Network, LLC is hiring: Freelance Digital Video Specialist in Los Angel at FOX News Network, LLC Job
OVERVIEW OF THE COMPANYFox Sports FOX Sports, the industry leader in live events, is the umbrella entity representing Fox Corporation’s wide array of multi-platform US-based sports assets. Built with brands capable of reaching more than 100 million viewers in a single weekend, FOX Sports includes the sports television arm of the FOX Network; FS1, FS2, […]

Fox Sports
FOX Sports, the industry leader in live events, is the umbrella entity representing Fox Corporation’s wide array of multi-platform US-based sports assets. Built with brands capable of reaching more than 100 million viewers in a single weekend, FOX Sports includes the sports television arm of the FOX Network; FS1, FS2, FOX Soccer Plus and FOX Deportes, as well as a joint-venture business in the Big Ten Network and digital properties including http://FOXSports.com and the FOX Sports App. FOX Sports has delivered the most watched television program, NFL’s America’s Game of the Week on FOX, for fourteen consecutive years.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Fox Sports Digital is looking for a Freelance Digital Video Specialist to join the Sports Screening team. The Freelance Digital Video Specialist will use their expertise in video production, editing and editorial experience to identify, clip, distribute, and create compelling content that services FOXSports.com, the FOX Sports App, and all of FOX Sports’ YouTube channels. The perfect candidate will be knowledgeable of FS1 programming, sports and podcasts as they will interface with talent, production leaders and social media leaders on both the digital and linear sides of our company.
A SNAPSHOT OF YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
- Work closely with other digital team members to help create original live streaming content and/or VOD, optimizing live event/sports studio show content as well as highlight content that will live across multiple FOX platforms, namely FOXSports.com, the FOX Sports App and the FOX Sports YouTube channels
- Utilize Adobe Premiere, WildMoka, and Google IAS to create compelling VOD content and highlights
- Distribute content through writing metadata, thumbnail creation, and publishing to digital platforms
- Understanding of how best to use social platforms and experience working with digital platforms
- Build and maintain relationships across a variety of groups including social media, production, studio and other show teams
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
- 2+ years of Digital/TV editorial experience
- Experience with editing compelling video content using Adobe Premiere and distribute that content accordingly cross-platform
- Familiar with digital platforms, industry terminology and understand deadlines
- Effectively communicate with social media managers, producers and other project stakeholders
- Strong written and grammatical skills required for writing video metadata
- Ability to manage and organize multiple concurrent projects
- Knowledgeable about Digital platforms including YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, etc
- A passion for sports content and finding compelling storylines
NICE TO HAVE BUT NOT A DEALBREAKER
- Experience with Adobe Photoshop
- YouTube experience
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with applicable law.
Pursuant to state and local pay disclosure requirements, the pay rate/range for this role, with final offer amount dependent on education, skills, experience, and location is $28.00 per hour.
Sports
New bill creates national framework for college athlete compensation
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! FIRST ON FOX: The House of Representatives is rolling out bipartisan legislation later on Thursday that will mark a major shift in the world of college sports, particularly the compensation of student athletes, Fox News Digital has learned. The bill would codify the right for student athletes […]

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
FIRST ON FOX: The House of Representatives is rolling out bipartisan legislation later on Thursday that will mark a major shift in the world of college sports, particularly the compensation of student athletes, Fox News Digital has learned.
The bill would codify the right for student athletes to get paid for the use of their name, image and likeness (NIL), while mandating that colleges and universities also provide them with “comprehensive” academic, career counseling, and medical support, according to text obtained by Fox News Digital.
NIL regulations would be standardized across the country, overriding the current patchwork of state laws. More than 30 states allow colleges to pay student athletes for NIL, while no such regulations exist in others.
Student athletes would be able to hire agents and would have to disclose their NIL deals to their schools and to nonprofit Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Associations (IIAA), like the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and similar groups.
TAX CUTS, WORK REQUIREMENTS AND ASYLUM FEES: HERE’S WHAT’S INSIDE TRUMP’S BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL

Mya Lesnar of Colorado State celebrates after winning the women’s shot put at 62-4 1/2 (19.01m) during the NCAA Track and Field Championships at Hayward Field. (Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)
For non-athlete students at colleges and universities that bring in high revenue from sports media, it would shield them from footing the bill for their college’s athletics programs by prohibiting student fees at those schools from being used for them.
The bill also expressly prohibits student athletes from being considered employees of a college over their sporting participation.
It’s a bipartisan bill that’s the product of the House Energy & Commerce Committee, House Education & Workforce Committee, and the House Judiciary Committee.
Its lead co-sponsors are Reps. Janelle Bynum, D-Ore., and Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla. Rep. Shomari Figures, D-Ala., is also a co-sponsor.
Committee Chairmen Brett Guthrie, R-Ky., Tim Walberg, R-Mich., and Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, told Fox News Digital in a joint statement, “NIL offers an endless array of opportunities for student-athletes to make the most of their college experience, but the lack of clear guardrails has left athletes and universities on unstable ground.”
“The SCORE Act creates a national framework that supports student-athletes and recenters the educational mission of college athletics,” they said.
Jordan, notably, was a two-time NCAA Division I college wrestling champion. He later became a coach with Ohio State University’s wrestling program before being elected to Congress.
SIMONE BILES SPARS WITH RILEY GAINES OVER TRANS ATHLETE DEBATE, LAUNCHES PERSONAL ATTACK: ‘TRULY SICK’

The bill was a product of the panels led by House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Brett Guthrie, left, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, center, and House Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg, right. (Getty Images)
Whether student athletes should receive a portion of their school’s sports media revenue and how much has been a years-long debate.
There have been several attempts in Congress to push for legislation giving student athletes the ability to profit off of their college sporting careers.
The NCAA, college sports’ main governing body, changed its rules in 2021 to allow student athletes to profit from NIL.
It comes after reports that such legislation could be introduced this week after a June antitrust settlement in House v. NCAA between the NCAA and lawyers for Division I college athletes. A judge approved over $2.7 billion in back pay for college athletes shut out of NIL deals between 2016 and 2024, paving the way for colleges to pay players directly.
Under the bill’s parameters, IIAAs would ensure NIL deals aligned with fair market value, while being able to limit student athletes’ eligibility based on the length of their college sports career and create new requirements for agents not registered with the IIAA.
The text also includes a liability shield for universities and IIAA that “the adoption of, agreement to, compliance with, or enforcement of any rule, regulation, requirement, standard, or other provision established pursuant to, or in compliance with, this Act shall be treated as lawful under the antitrust laws” and any state or local laws.
148 DEMOCRATS BACK NONCITIZEN VOTING IN DC AS GOP RAISES ALARM ABOUT FOREIGN AGENTS
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The bill was lauded by Reps. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., Scott Fitzgerald, R-Wis., and House GOP Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain, R-Mich., all who played key roles in putting the legislation together.
It was also praised by the NCAA’s Autonomy Conferences – the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12, and SEC.
“This legislation comes at a time of historic transition for college athletics. In the absence of federal standards, student-athletes and schools have been forced to navigate a fractured regulatory framework for too long,” a statement to Fox News Digital said.
“Following the historic House settlement, this bill represents a very encouraging step toward delivering the national clarity and accountability that college athletics desperately needs. We urge lawmakers to build on this momentum and deliver the national solution that athletes, coaches, and schools deserve.”
Sports
Hofstra Athletics And Optimum Announce New Partnership
Story Links Hempstead, NY – Hofstra University and Optimum, the leading provider of fiber internet, mobile, TV, and phone services, are proud to announce a new, multi-faceted partnership in support of Hofstra Athletics. This new collaboration will position Optimum as a corporate partner of Hofstra Athletics, aligning one of the country’s largest […]

Hempstead, NY – Hofstra University and Optimum, the leading provider of fiber internet, mobile, TV, and phone services, are proud to announce a new, multi-faceted partnership in support of Hofstra Athletics.
This new collaboration will position Optimum as a corporate partner of Hofstra Athletics, aligning one of the country’s largest broadband communications providers with one of the region’s most dynamic collegiate athletic programs.
As part of the agreement, Optimum will receive prominent brand exposure across Hofstra’s athletic venues, digital platforms, and game day broadcasts. In addition, the partnership will feature exclusive in-venue activations, collaborative community initiatives, and co-branded content opportunities designed to engage Hofstra fans and enhance the overall game day experience.
“We are excited to welcome Optimum to the Hofstra Pride family,” said Vice President and Director of Athletics Rick Cole Jr. “Optimum’s commitment to connectivity and community aligns closely with our mission to support our student-athletes and engage with our fans in meaningful ways. We look forward to building a strong partnership that benefits both our organizations.”
“As a leading provider of essential connectivity services on Long Island, Optimum is proud to partner with Hofstra University and support the university’s athletic programs,” said Jay Guy, Vice President, General Manager of Optimum New York. “At Optimum, our mission is to enhance the lives of our customers through reliable and innovative connectivity solutions. This collaboration will enable Optimum to connect with Hofstra’s vibrant fan base and contribute positively to the community through impactful programs and activities that resonate with Hofstra’s dedication to excellence.”
For more information on Hofstra Athletics, visit GoHofstra.com. To learn more about Optimum, visit optimum.com.
About Optimum
Optimum is a brand of Altice USA, one of the largest broadband communications and video services providers in the United States, delivering broadband, video, mobile, proprietary content and advertising services to approximately 4.5 million residential and business customers across 21 states. The company operates Optimum Media, an advanced advertising and data business, which provides audience-based, multiscreen advertising solutions to local, regional and national businesses and advertising clients. Altice USA also offers hyper-local news through its News 12 Networks.
About Hofstra Athletics
The Hofstra Department of Athletics sponsors 21 NCAA Division I athletic teams that compete in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) and the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA). Hofstra’s men’s teams include baseball, basketball, cross country and track, golf, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, and wrestling. The Pride’s women’s teams include basketball, cross country and track, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, and volleyball.
Sports
KSHSAA announces 2026, 2027 state basketball tournament sites
TOPEKA, Kan. (Release) – The KSHSAA State Basketball Tournament format and sites have been selected for the next two seasons. In 2026, the 1A Division I semifinals and finals will be played at United Wireless Arena in Dodge City. The 2A and 1A Division II semifinals and finals will be played at White Auditorium in Emporia while […]

TOPEKA, Kan. (Release) – The KSHSAA State Basketball Tournament format and sites have been selected for the next two seasons. In 2026, the 1A Division I semifinals and finals will be played at United Wireless Arena in Dodge City. The 2A and 1A Division II semifinals and finals will be played at White Auditorium in Emporia while 3A and 4A semifinals and finals will be played at The Hutchinson Sports Arena at Hutchinson Community College. In the largest school classifications, 5A and 6A semifinals and finals will be played at Koch Arena at Wichita State University. This will mark the first time since 1953 when state championship games of multiple classes were played at the same place.
In 2027, both Divisions of 1A semifinals and finals will be played at Tony’s Pizza Events Center in Salina. Class 2A and Class 4A semifinals and finals will be played at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan. The 3A semifinals and finals will be played at The Sports Arena at Hutchinson Community College. The 5A and 6A semifinals will be played at White Auditorium in Emporia.
Listen to the companion podcast to this release – KSHSAA Covered – State Basketball Format Change
“The KSHSAA is an association of member schools, and the school leaders have asked for class consolidation of championships.” said KSHSAA Executive Director Bill Faflick. “This new format will achieve that result and provide a greater focus on the student athletes competing at the highest level with four state title games being played consecutively on championship Saturday. This modification allows basketball to follow the recently implemented format for championship soccer and football championship games. With more titles being determined at one location, the atmosphere in the championship arenas will be at an all-time high.”
The state tournament begins with the quarterfinal round which will be hosted at seven venues in five cities. To advance to the semifinals and finals sites, teams will need to win the state quarterfinal round games which will be played at United Wireless Arena, Tony’s Pizza Events Center in Salina, Mabee Arena at Kansas Wesleyan University, Koch Arena, Garvey Center at Friends University, White Auditorium, and the Kansas City Kansas Community College Fieldhouse in Kansas City.
2026 State Basketball Tournament Quarterfinal Schedule:
6A, 4A, 2A Girls, 5A, 3A, 1A Boys Quarterfinals – March 10 (United Wireless Arena, Koch Arena, Friends University, Tony’s Pizza Events Center, Kansas Wesleyan University, White Auditorium, KCKCC Fieldhouse)
5A, 3A, 1A Girls, 6A, 4A, 2A Boys Quarterfinals – March 11 (United Wireless Arena, Koch Arena, Friends University, Tony’s Pizza Events Center, Kansas Wesleyan University, White Auditorium, KCKCC Fieldhouse)
The quarterfinal round games are determined by proximity to the higher seed, not class. The highest four seeds of the state tournament will be placed as close to home as possible in the 28 quarterfinal round games across the state. If the distance from the lower seed is greater than 250 miles from where the game would be played near the higher seed, that game will be played at one of the quarterfinal sites centrally located. State brackets will not be reseeded after the state quarterfinals.
“With the top four seeds earning the right to play close to home, the quarterfinal rounds will provide a better environment and experience allowing more friends and family to attend the quarterfinal round,” said KSHSAA Assistant Executive Director and Basketball Administrator Kyle Doperalski. “This new format is a win for teams and school communities with an incredible atmosphere of four state championship games in the same venue on the same day. Fans and media along with non-advancing teams and coaches will have less decisions to make about what site to go to and watch the teams and players they want to see at the state tournament.”
The dates of the quarterfinal games are March 10-11, 2026 and March 9-10, 2027. The dates of the semifinals and finals are March 12-14, 2026 and March 11-13, 2027.
Two years ago, the membership expressed desire through the October Regional Administrator Meetings to combine classes at the state basketball tournament. Each class individually supported this concept. Working with the host sites to ensure top level tournament management, it was determined that the best course of action is the final four in each class advance to the site of the semifinals and finals with state quarterfinal games being played in proximity to the higher seed at neutral/college sites.
Copyright 2025 KWCH. All rights reserved. To report a correction or typo, please email news@kwch.com
Sports
Jordan Larson Among Former Huskers Set to Play in Alumni Match – University of Nebraska
Nebraska volleyball legend Jordan Larson will lead a group of former Huskers competing against this year’s Nebraska volleyball team in the inaugural Alumni Match on Saturday, Aug. 16 at 6 p.m. at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. Larson was a three-time All-American at NU during her career (2005-08), winning a national championship in 2006. She […]
Sports
Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy Celebrates the Class of 2025 TOLOGS
Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy celebrated the 89 seniors of the Class of 2025. This year’s graduates are charging into the future with bold ambition, especially in STEM. Among the most popular intended college majors are biological sciences, engineering, nursing, and psychology – reflecting a clear commitment to innovation, inquiry and impact. Their interests span from […]

Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy celebrated the 89 seniors of the Class of 2025.
This year’s graduates are charging into the future with bold ambition, especially in STEM. Among the most popular intended college majors are biological sciences, engineering, nursing, and psychology – reflecting a clear commitment to innovation, inquiry and impact. Their interests span from medical research and software engineering to mental health and environmental science.
Every member of the Class of 2025 was accepted to a four-year college or university with many choosing institutions known for academic rigor and values-based education.
● 34% of the class were admitted to highly selective universities with acceptance rates under 25%, including Dartmouth College, Boston College, Villanova University and USC.
● 31% will attend faith-based colleges and universities, a testament to the strength of their spiritual formation on the Hill.
● 49% will stay in California including 18 students entering the University of California system at campuses such as UCLA, UC Berkeley, and UC San Diego.
Additional highlights from this exceptional class include:
● Four student-athletes are continuing their sport at the collegiate level in volleyball, equestrian, water polo and softball
● Four graduates were awarded full-tuition scholarships, including a Posse Scholar and a QuestBridge finalist
The Class of 2025 began its sophomore year still navigating the pandemic and rose again in the wake of the Eaton Canyon Fire.
“The Class of 2025 was together on their Kairos retreat in Ojai when the fires began. They returned to a community forever changed, but what remains constant is their loving care for one another, and their classmates,” said Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy Principal Rebecca Bostic. “We are so proud of the way they took care not only of one another but also reached out into the community to serve those in need of goods and services. We had several seniors who lost their homes or were displaced, and they were attending our Eaton Fire support meetings to encourage and uplift the impacted underclasswomen. They are truly an incredible group of young women.”
“What stands out about this class is how fully they embraced their Dominican values,” added Bostic. “Instead of turning inward, they reached out with empathy and a true desire to serve. Their strength and spirit will have left a lasting legacy on the Hill.”
As the Class of 2025 heads into the world, they do so as women of faith, integrity and truth, ready to make a difference in every field – and in every heart – they touch.
To learn more about Flintridge Sacred Heart, visit fsha.org.
Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy is located at 440 St. Katherine Drive in La Cañada Flintridge.
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