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AthleteCon NIL Event Returns with Livvy Dunne Support

With NIL approaching it’s fourth birthday, the leading content educator in the space is expanding her student-athlete event to new heights. Sam Green’s AthleteCon returns to Charlotte for year two of a unique and exclusive experience that provides tangible and actionable value for college athletes across the country. As content creation and social media posting […]

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AthleteCon NIL Event Returns with Livvy Dunne Support

With NIL approaching it’s fourth birthday, the leading content educator in the space is expanding her student-athlete event to new heights. Sam Green’s AthleteCon returns to Charlotte for year two of a unique and exclusive experience that provides tangible and actionable value for college athletes across the country.

As content creation and social media posting are main pillars of NIL brand partnerships, Green has evolved into athletes’ go-to voice on how best to build an audience and authentically engage in branded opportunities. 100 student-athletes – with a waitlist of over 150 – are set to attend her upcoming event at the AC Hotel Charlotte City Center on June 4-6 to hone their content skills, while engaging with brands, securing deals and connecting with new partners that can take their off-field games to higher levels.

A highlight of AthleteCon 2.0 is support from NIL trailblazer and now-former LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne, whose Livvy Fund – creating opportunities for LSU female student-athletes – is an official partner of the event. The recently-retired gymnast grew her social media audience and brand partnership portfolio – including Vuori, Nautica, Accelerator and Crocs – to become the most prolific amongst any college athlete in the NIL era.

“AthleteCon is the only NIL event where athletes receive hands on training on the latest technology to build their personal brand,” Dunne said. “I’m excited to announce the Livvy Fund’s partnership.”

Dunne’s sister, Julz – her manager and a marketing and social media powerhouse herself – will be a featured speaker and educator during the weekend. Brands involved in this year’s event include META, Snapchat, Tiktok, CANVA, Marriott, booster, Opendorse, Accelerator and Athletes.org, among many others.

Green’s vision for her event is to do away with the traditional panels and talking at student-athletes, with each moment of AthleteCon being hands-on, educational and tied to real NIL opportunities. From a rooftop welcome party where athletes will compete for a Marriott trip and create custom denim jackets while learning how to launch their own merchandise line to content creation educational sessions and competitions where attendees create content for brands live with product in-hand, AthleteCon is a new way of bringing NIL to athletes.

Top athlete creators set to attend AthleteCon 2.0 include the like of Cash Peterman of UCLA football, Mia Rogan of Michigan State track, Lexi Zeiss of LSU gymnastics, and former athletes like Emily Harrigan, Connor Printz and Lee McCall, among others.

“I started AthleteCon because there was a massive disconnect,” Green shared. “Everyone kept telling athletes to ‘build their brand,’ but no one was actually showing them how. After leading NIL content workshops at over 22 universities, it became clear: with hands-on guidance and real strategy, it’s not about your position, sport, or school. With the right tools, any athlete can monetize their brand.”

“We’re thrilled to host AthleteCon 2.0 at the AC Hotel Charlotte City Center,” added Rob Cote, GM at the AC Marriott. “Innovation is at the core of everything we do, and influencer marketing is a key part of that. AthleteCon perfectly aligns with our mission to support the next generation of creators.” 

Green’s AthleteCon 2.0 officially kicks off on June 4 in Charlotte.

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Texas Tech’s $5M NIL Deal, Big 12 Trade Talk & Media Days

Share Tweet Share Share Email What’s going on in the Big 12 and beyond? I expand and explain every Sunday in Postscripts at Heartland College Sports, your home for independent Big 12 coverage. This week, let’s break down Texas Tech’s latest financial outlay, why hypothetical trades don’t matter and it’s time for media days.   […]

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July 7, 2025

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What’s going on in the Big 12 and beyond? I expand and explain every Sunday in Postscripts at Heartland College Sports, your home for independent Big 12 coverage.

This week, let’s break down Texas Tech’s latest financial outlay, why hypothetical trades don’t matter and it’s time for media days.

 

Felix Ojo is Texas Tech’s $5 Million Man

Texas Tech celebrated July 4 by getting a commitment from a five-star offensive tackle Felix Ojo. It’s the kind of thing Tech isn’t known for. To many recruiting services, Ojo is the highest-rated commitment Tech has ever landed.

But what made more news of course was the NIL money attached to Ojo’s commitment. Here’s how it was originally reported on social media by outlets like On3Sports.

Well, that’s a lot of money. Some social media users made a good point. That amount is more than some NFL draft picks make on a four-year rookie deal, including Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. He received $4.6 million from the Cleveland Browns.

But, as always, the devil is in the details. There was no context to the graphic. Reporters — who I’m sure were oh so thrilled to work on Independence Day — were on the case.

 

Turns out there is money attached, but it’s not “exactly” $5.1 million.

Eli Lederman at ESPN reported that the deal was a fully guaranteed, three-year, $5.1 million revenue share contract. He got that information from Ojo’s agent, Derrick Shelby, who just happens to be the same agent for Texas Tech softball star NiJaree Canady.

Not long after that, CBS Sports’ Shehan Jeyarajah, reported that the guaranteed revenue share amount was about “half that amount.” He also reported there were stipulations in the deal that would allow it grow to the full amount.

On3Sports’ Pete Nakos had the full breakdown shortly. Ojo would get $1.2 million his first year, followed by $1.6 million in Year 2 and $2.1 million in Year 3. He also confirmed that the guaranteed amount is roughly half the total amount. He reported the contract “actually pays” $775,000 per year.

CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz also reported the same amount per year as an average. He also reported there was an understanding between Tech and Ojo’s representatives that the deal could be renegotiated if NIL returns to the “Wild West” format.

So a few things here:

First, for highly regarded recruits, this could be the norm. I was skeptical that he was getting a fully guaranteed deal, and that doesn’t appear to be the case. This feels like a typical NFL deal — a base salary with incentives that can be reached over time. The incentives become guaranteed as they get triggered.

Second, I must assume one of those incentives is staying at Tech. I think coaches, fans and collectives are tired of the year-over-year churn. Multi-year deals are going to be used more often, with triggers tied to staying multiple years, baseline grade-point averages and other factors.

Third, I found Zenith’s report about NIL returning to the “Wild West” curious. As long as the NIL money in this deal is coming from a third party, it won’t count against the rev share. If it’s a direct payment from the school, it does. I do think NIL will revert back to a “Wild West” format at some point as I don’t believe it’s controllable. But that would be a weird way to approach the future contract if you’re the player’s agent.  

Last, as I wrote two weeks ago, enough with the pearl-clutching. Tech has money. It’s using it. Recruits know it. That’s why they’re interested. This is the world. Move on.

 

A Big 12-ACC Trade?

Earlier this week, a reader for the mailbag answered by The Athletic’s Stewart Mandel posed a question about a trade between conferences. In the reader’s eyes, the Big 12 could trade UCF, Cincinnati and West Virginia to the ACC for Cal, Stanford and SMU.

Mandel loved the idea and said it made “too much sense.” Our Pete Mundo wrote about it. We even conducted a poll.

You were not warm to the idea.

Hypotheticals are fun, but …

When I posed the WVU to ACC hypothetical a few years ago many WVU fans told me the ACC didn’t want them. It probably still doesn’t.

Stanford and Cal don’t want any part of the Big 12. Those two schools, in my opinion, will go it alone before joining.

SMU wanted in, but the Mustangs are a redundancy in the DFW market and for the Big 12 and didn’t add anything, in part because the area isn’t a college sports area. If DFW were a huge college sports area that would be another story. But the area is wrapped up in pro sports and for those that live here, they know that.

I mean, yes, if someone with realignment and can just wave a magic wand, sure. But there is no reality to this. Unless everyone wants to play with the same bucket of TV money like the NFL, something like this won’t happen.

 

Big 12 Media Days Return

It’s talking season this week in Frisco, Texas, as I’ll be covering Big 12 Media Days for Heartland College Sports. It’s the official kickoff of the Big 12 football season.

It’s a week we look forward to because it allows us to start getting a little less hypothetical in coverage and a little more actual. Like I can’t wait for someone to Kalani Sitake who is going to start at quarterback at BYU, or to ask Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire when the NIL budget for the Red Raiders actually looks like (like he’s gonna tell us).

Should be good times. Follow us all week. After media days I’m getting some vacation, my annual trip to Red Rocks in Colorado to see The Avett Brothers. Then, much more football.

You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.





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Texas Tech's $5M NIL Deal, Big 12 Trade Talk & Media Days

What’s going on in the Big 12 and beyond? I expand and explain every Sunday in Postscripts at Heartland College Sports, your home for independent Big 12 coverage. This week, let’s break down Texas Tech’s latest financial outlay, why hypothetical trades don’t matter and it’s time for media days.   Felix Ojo is Texas Tech’s […]

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July 7, 2025

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Texas Tech's $5M NIL Deal, Big 12 Trade Talk & Media Days

What’s going on in the Big 12 and beyond? I expand and explain every Sunday in Postscripts at Heartland College Sports, your home for independent Big 12 coverage.

This week, let’s break down Texas Tech’s latest financial outlay, why hypothetical trades don’t matter and it’s time for media days.

 

Felix Ojo is Texas Tech’s $5 Million Man

Texas Tech celebrated July 4 by getting a commitment from a five-star offensive tackle Felix Ojo. It’s the kind of thing Tech isn’t known for. To many recruiting services, Ojo is the highest-rated commitment Tech has ever landed.

But what made more news of course was the NIL money attached to Ojo’s commitment. Here’s how it was originally reported on social media by outlets like On3Sports.

Well, that’s a lot of money. Some social media users made a good point. That amount is more than some NFL draft picks make on a four-year rookie deal, including Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders. He received $4.6 million from the Cleveland Browns.

But, as always, the devil is in the details. There was no context to the graphic. Reporters — who I’m sure were oh so thrilled to work on Independence Day — were on the case.

 

Turns out there is money attached, but it’s not “exactly” $5.1 million.

Eli Lederman at ESPN reported that the deal was a fully guaranteed, three-year, $5.1 million revenue share contract. He got that information from Ojo’s agent, Derrick Shelby, who just happens to be the same agent for Texas Tech softball star NiJaree Canady.

Not long after that, CBS Sports’ Shehan Jeyarajah, reported that the guaranteed revenue share amount was about “half that amount.” He also reported there were stipulations in the deal that would allow it grow to the full amount.

On3Sports’ Pete Nakos had the full breakdown shortly. Ojo would get $1.2 million his first year, followed by $1.6 million in Year 2 and $2.1 million in Year 3. He also confirmed that the guaranteed amount is roughly half the total amount. He reported the contract “actually pays” $775,000 per year.

CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz also reported the same amount per year as an average. He also reported there was an understanding between Tech and Ojo’s representatives that the deal could be renegotiated if NIL returns to the “Wild West” format.

So a few things here:

First, for highly regarded recruits, this could be the norm. I was skeptical that he was getting a fully guaranteed deal, and that doesn’t appear to be the case. This feels like a typical NFL deal — a base salary with incentives that can be reached over time. The incentives become guaranteed as they get triggered.

Second, I must assume one of those incentives is staying at Tech. I think coaches, fans and collectives are tired of the year-over-year churn. Multi-year deals are going to be used more often, with triggers tied to staying multiple years, baseline grade-point averages and other factors.

Third, I found Zenith’s report about NIL returning to the “Wild West” curious. As long as the NIL money in this deal is coming from a third party, it won’t count against the rev share. If it’s a direct payment from the school, it does. I do think NIL will revert back to a “Wild West” format at some point as I don’t believe it’s controllable. But that would be a weird way to approach the future contract if you’re the player’s agent.  

Last, as I wrote two weeks ago, enough with the pearl-clutching. Tech has money. It’s using it. Recruits know it. That’s why they’re interested. This is the world. Move on.

 

A Big 12-ACC Trade?

Earlier this week, a reader for the mailbag answered by The Athletic’s Stewart Mandel posed a question about a trade between conferences. In the reader’s eyes, the Big 12 could trade UCF, Cincinnati and West Virginia to the ACC for Cal, Stanford and SMU.

Mandel loved the idea and said it made “too much sense.” Our Pete Mundo wrote about it. We even conducted a poll.

You were not warm to the idea.

Hypotheticals are fun, but …

When I posed the WVU to ACC hypothetical a few years ago many WVU fans told me the ACC didn’t want them. It probably still doesn’t.

Stanford and Cal don’t want any part of the Big 12. Those two schools, in my opinion, will go it alone before joining.

SMU wanted in, but the Mustangs are a redundancy in the DFW market and for the Big 12 and didn’t add anything, in part because the area isn’t a college sports area. If DFW were a huge college sports area that would be another story. But the area is wrapped up in pro sports and for those that live here, they know that.

I mean, yes, if someone with realignment and can just wave a magic wand, sure. But there is no reality to this. Unless everyone wants to play with the same bucket of TV money like the NFL, something like this won’t happen.

 

Big 12 Media Days Return

It’s talking season this week in Frisco, Texas, as I’ll be covering Big 12 Media Days for Heartland College Sports. It’s the official kickoff of the Big 12 football season.

It’s a week we look forward to because it allows us to start getting a little less hypothetical in coverage and a little more actual. Like I can’t wait for someone to Kalani Sitake who is going to start at quarterback at BYU, or to ask Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire when the NIL budget for the Red Raiders actually looks like (like he’s gonna tell us).

Should be good times. Follow us all week. After media days I’m getting some vacation, my annual trip to Red Rocks in Colorado to see The Avett Brothers. Then, much more football.

You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.

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NIL contract Texas Tech OL

Mansfield (TX) Lake Ridge five-star offensive tackle Felix Ojo, one of the top prospects in 2026, made a Fourth of July commitment to Texas Tech. The Red Raiders will now be paying him quite well with an unprecendented, fully guaranteed revenue-sharing deal. Ojo committed to Texas Tech this afternoon over top schools like Texas, Oklahoma, […]

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July 7, 2025

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Mansfield (TX) Lake Ridge five-star offensive tackle Felix Ojo, one of the top prospects in 2026, made a Fourth of July commitment to Texas Tech. The Red Raiders will now be paying him quite well with an unprecendented, fully guaranteed revenue-sharing deal.

Ojo committed to Texas Tech this afternoon over top schools like Texas, Oklahoma, Michigan, Ohio State, and Ole Miss. ESPN’s Eli Lederman reported that the Red Raiders signed Ojo to a fully guaranteed revenue-share deal worth $5.1 million over three years. On3’s Pete Nakos reported more details of the agreement.

Ojo’s guaranteed rev-share amount is roughly half the $5.1 million, according to Nakos, and the contract pays out $775,000 per year over three years. Including incentives and if the deal is renegotiated, the five-star offensive lineman is set to earn $1.2 million in Year 1, $1.6 million in Year 2 and $2.1 million in Year 3.



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Urban Meyer makes it clear where he stands on returning to college football as a general manager

One of the significant shifts of the NIL and transfer portal era, some college football programs have turned to general manager roles to help lead the way in roster management. Programs have hired from within the assistant ranks while others have plucked former head coaches and NFL executives. Most recently, Ron Rivera, a two-time NFL […]

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July 7, 2025

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One of the significant shifts of the NIL and transfer portal era, some college football programs have turned to general manager roles to help lead the way in roster management.

Programs have hired from within the assistant ranks while others have plucked former head coaches and NFL executives.

Most recently, Ron Rivera, a two-time NFL Head Coach of the Year, is back at his alma mater Cal as general manager. And Oklahoma hired former NFL executive Jim Nagy to the same position.

Three-time national champion head coach Urban Meyer, now with Fox Sports as an analyst, admitted he was approached by a college program for their general manager role. The former Utah, Florida, Ohio State and Jacksonville Jaguars head coach even met with leadership to hear the program’s pitch.

“I had a school come see me this year and ask if I wanted to be the GM,” Meyer said on “The Triple Option.” “And a couple other phone calls. And you start to think, ‘OK, they actually came to see me,’ so I said, ‘Yeah, I’ll meet and I’ll sit down with you guys.’”

Despite Meyer’s early interest, he wasn’t inclined to take the offer after learning about the job description. In fact, Meyer would rather “step on a rusty nail” than dealing with players’ agents.

“I said, ‘OK, what is the job description?.’ “They said, ‘Well, basically you meet with all the agents of the 17-, 18-year-olds,’” Meyer said. “And I thought, ‘I’d rather step on a rusty nail and pull it out myself.’”

Meyer’s name is regularly mentioned when major head coaching roles open, and it wouldn’t be a big shock to see the 60-year-old return to college football at some point. As a general manager, though, it’s safe to say Meyer won’t be taking up that title.





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BYU Quarterback Jake Retzlaff has a complicated path to playing in 2025

Last week, College Football had a stunning story emerge as BYU’s starting quarterback, Jake Retzlaff announced he was going to enter the transfer portal as he was going to be suspended by the Cougars after violating the school’s honor code. The honor code violations stemmed from a lawsuit against Retzlaff which has since been dismissed. […]

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July 7, 2025

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BYU Quarterback Jake Retzlaff has a complicated path to playing in 2025

Last week, College Football had a stunning story emerge as BYU’s starting quarterback, Jake Retzlaff announced he was going to enter the transfer portal as he was going to be suspended by the Cougars after violating the school’s honor code. The honor code violations stemmed from a lawsuit against Retzlaff which has since been dismissed. While the lawsuit has been dismissed, Retzlaff still faces a suspension from BYU.

One week after it was announced that Jake Retzlaff would enter the transfer portal, he has yet to actually enter his name into the transfer portal. As a Graduate Transfer, Jake Retzlaff would have been able to transfer at any point in the last few seasons but, in April, new legislation was passed that even graduate transfers would need to enter before the transfer portal window closed.

If Jake Retzlaff is going to end up playing in 2025, he’ll likely need a waiver to transfer; otherwise, he may be forced to serve his suspension at BYU. A waiver isn’t a given, and it may end up taking longer than expected, as South Carolina has been waiting for a waiver for Rahsul Faision since January.

There is also one other potential chance for Jake Retzlaff to enter the transfer portal but, it remains to be seen. Among the many changes the NCAA House Settlement brought is a one-time transfer portal window for “Designated Student Athletes”. Athletes can be placed on the list by their schools if they would have been removed due to roster limits, were on the roster in 2024-25, or if they were recruited and assured a roster spot for this season.

The hurdle for Jake Retzlaff is the fact that the BYU administration would have to agree and place him on the Designated Student Athlete list. If the administration feels that he needs to serve his punishment, they could keep him off of the list which would leave Retzlaff relying on getting a waiver from the NCAA.

If Jake Retzlaff is able to secure a waiver or is placed on the Designated Student Athlete list, it will make for a fascinating storyline this Summer. Jake Retzlaff is coming off of an impressive season at BYU and could easily draw some serious interest from programs that need a quarterback. Among the potential landing spots for Retzlaff if he transfers are programs like Tennessee, Stanford, Alabama, Maryland, and UNLV, among others.

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AJ Dybantsa Breaks Silence on Instagram After Winning MVP at FIBA U19 World Cup

Team USA went to Switzerland with names like Morez Johnson, Mikel Brown Jr., Koa Peat, and Caleb Holt. They faced Germany in the finals. Germany entered undefeated, led by Texas Tech’s Christian Anderson, but Team USA’s roster depth and gameplay were something special. In the FIBA U19 World Cup final on Sunday, the USA won […]

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July 7, 2025

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Team USA went to Switzerland with names like Morez Johnson, Mikel Brown Jr., Koa Peat, and Caleb Holt. They faced Germany in the finals. Germany entered undefeated, led by Texas Tech’s Christian Anderson, but Team USA’s roster depth and gameplay were something special.

In the FIBA U19 World Cup final on Sunday, the USA won 109-76 over Germany. The MVP of the game was none other than AJ Dybantsa, who is projected to be the top pick in the 2026 NBA draft.

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After Earning MVP Honors, BYU’s AJ Dybantsa Has Something to Say

Soon after the final whistle and celebrations, Dybantsa took to Instagram to post a story with a picture of him with his medals on it. He captioned it, “powered by wings. ” He also tagged Red Bull, his NIL sponsor, in the story.

The FIBA U19 MVP heads to BYU with serious hype and joins the team as one of the highest NIL earners in college basketball. Dybantsa signed a Red Bull NIL deal last October, and he’s already making sure the world remembers who’s backing him. At just 17, he’s already carrying a $4.1 million NIL valuation per On3. That kind of money doesn’t come without earning it.

Dybantsa earned the MVP honor at FIBA by averaging 14.3 points, 4.1 boards, and 2.3 assists. He led the tournament in free-throw attempts, shot 68% inside the arc, and converted at a near-perfect 84% rate from the line. Those numbers tell the story of a player who knows how to get to his spots and finish.

His defense was equally impressive. Dybantsa guarded point guards, dove for loose balls, and anchored the press. Despite being the top scorer, he never coasted on the defensive end. While his 2-for-18 mark from deep is concerning, and his three-point shot needs work, there’s no denying he can play on both ends and break down defenses with his athleticism and basketball IQ.

The tournament showed why scouts are already penciling him in as the top pick in two years. Dybantsa’s ability to impact winning at the highest levels of international competition speaks volumes about his readiness for college basketball.

What Dybantsa’s Arrival Means for BYU’s Championship Hopes

Dybantsa heads to Provo this fall, and summer workouts are already underway. He joins a program looking to be a national contender. With eight scholarship players gone and names like Egor Demin and Dallin Hall departed, this roster is brand new.

BYU does have some returning senior starters, including Keba Keita and Richie Saunders. Big man Mihailo Boskovic and sharpshooter Dawson Baker provide a seasoned core. This foundation gives the Cougars enough experience to compete while Dybantsa adjusts to college basketball.

The incoming class surrounding Dybantsa is loaded with talent. At the same time, many fans felt Brown Jr. was the authentic MVP of the FIBA U19. Baylor transfer and fellow five-star Rob Wright brings power conference experience. Washington’s Dominique Diomande adds size and athleticism. Southern Illinois guard Kennard Davis provides proven scoring ability, while Idaho’s sniper Tyler Mrus stretches the floor. UC Riverside veteran Nate Pickens rounds out a mix of high-upside freshmen, power conference transfers, and seasoned mid-major standouts.

For Dybantsa, who’s already being talked about as the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, this roster gives him the flexibility and space he needs to develop his game. The Cougars’ first exhibition is set for October 18 against Nebraska. Nebraska should be worried if FIBA was a preview of what’s coming.

Coach Kevin Young has built something special in Provo, and Dybantsa’s arrival could be the final piece needed to make a serious run at cutting down the nets in March.





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