NIL
CarMax, Gotham FC Extend Mission
Gotham FC has renewed its multi-year partnership with CarMax, ensuring the company remains the front-of-kit sponsor for the club. This renewal underscores both brands’ ongoing commitment to community involvement and the support of women’s sports. CarMax’s logo will continue to appear on Gotham FC’s uniforms, and the retailer will maintain its role as the presenting […]
Gotham FC has renewed its multi-year partnership with CarMax, ensuring the company remains the front-of-kit sponsor for the club.
This renewal underscores both brands’ ongoing commitment to community involvement and the support of women’s sports.
CarMax’s logo will continue to appear on Gotham FC’s uniforms, and the retailer will maintain its role as the presenting partner for the regular season, Fan Fest events, regional game broadcasts on MSG Networks, the Player of the Match award, and an original content series set to debut later this season.
Commenting on this involvement, Sarah Lane, CarMax’s SVP and CMO highlighted the alignment of values between the two organisations.
“Gotham FC was our inaugural club partner in the NWSL, and we are proud to deepen our commitment to the team and its players, Lane said.
“We have collaborated on multiple initiatives to increase visibility for the team and sport, and we are excited for what lies ahead.” she said.
Ryan Dillon, chief business officer at Gotham FC, added: “What began as a shared vision three years ago has matured into a robust partnership.”
“We are delighted to continue collaborating with CarMax, whose dedication to making a tangible impact on our fans, players, and community is noteworthy.
“Together, we are elevating the sport and setting a benchmark for modern partnerships,” Dillon said.
Initially starting in 2022 with CarMax’s logo on the kit sleeve and exclusive status as the official used auto retailer, the partnership has since expanded to include joint projects with the New York Liberty, marketing campaigns, fan-focused merchandise, and community sports clinics.
Looking forward to the 2026 season, CarMax plans to further enhance the fan experience with new digital content, game-day parking perks, and free youth soccer clinics.
As part of its CarMax Kids initiative, the company has provided underserved youth with free tickets, transportation, and meal vouchers to attend Gotham FC games benefiting over 530 children to date.
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NIL
SB Set for Phillips 66 Big 12 Softball Championship
BAYLOR (26-26, 11-13 Big 12) at PHILLIPS 66 BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIP Wednesday, May 7 • vs Kansas • Oklahoma City, Okla. | Devon Park • Radio: 101.3 FM • Watch: ESPN+ STORY LINES • Baylor Softball is heading to the 2025 Phillips 66 Big 12 Softball Tournament this week as the No. 8 seed. The Bears will […]
BAYLOR (26-26, 11-13 Big 12) at PHILLIPS 66 BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIP
Wednesday, May 7 • vs Kansas • Oklahoma City, Okla. | Devon Park • Radio: 101.3 FM • Watch: ESPN+
STORY LINES
• Baylor Softball is heading to the 2025 Phillips 66 Big 12 Softball Tournament this week as the No. 8 seed. The Bears will face No. 9 seed Texas Tech on Wednesday, May 7, at 2:30 p.m. CT at Devon Park in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
• Devon Park is the re-branded Hall of Fame Stadium name, the home of the Women’s College World Series.
• After the No. 8 vs No. 9 seed matchup, the winner will go on to play the No. 1 seed, Texas Tech, on Thursday, May 8 at 1:30 p.m. CT.
• The Bears are coming off of a three-game series against Iowa State to close out the regular season, where the Bears fell in the series 1-2.
• Baylor won its first game at the Big 12 Tournament since 2018 last year when they defeated UCF in its first game.
• The Bears hold the 46-35 all-time record over Kansas, after taking one game from the Jayhawks earlier this season in walk-off fashion before falling to KU in the final two games.
• During the 2025 season, the team is competing with a veteran squad that consists of 12 seniors and 15 upperclassmen.
• After ending the 2024 campaign back in a Super Regional for the first time since 2017, the Bears returned 15 off of the 2024 squad, while adding four transfers and seven freshmen.
• The Bears four transfers include Brooklyn Carter (Washington), Turiya Coleman (Houston), Carson Frier (UCF) and Lillie Walker (Duke). Coleman and Frier add depth to the Bears infield/catching position, while Carter adds speed to the outfield and Walker tosses left-handed in the circle.
• The Bears faced nine opponents so far this season who were either ranked or receiving votes in the preseason/weekly ESPN poll for a total of 14 games. Those teams include: No. 3 Oklahoma, No. 6 UCLA, No. 7 Texas A&M, No. 13 Arkansas, No. 15 Missouri, No. 16 Nebraska, No. 1 Texas, No. 12 Texas Tech and No. 13 Oklahoma State. Thirteen of Baylor’s losses on the season have come against opponents ranked in the Top 25.
• Shaylon Govan leads the Bears offensively with a .413 average this season, only missing four opening weekend games due to a class conflict. She has a team-leading six home runs, seven doubles and 26 RBIs.
• Govan picked up the Big 12 Batting Average Champion award for leading the Big 12 with a .453 conference batting average.
• Picking up the Bears’ first Big 12 Player of the Week honor, Govan hit .571 in the series against Houston and pushed her on base streak to 18-straight games, a streak that ended with 19-straight.
• Lillie Walker leads the Bears in the circle with 87 strikeouts with 37 appearances. Walker currently stands in the top five of the Big 12 stats in wins, strikeouts, innings pitched, games started and complete games.
• Leading Baylor during last week’s three-game series against BYU and midweek against Texas State in the circle was Walker who made four appearances, picked up two wins and totaled a 1.75 ERA while striking out eight.
• Faith Piper picked up the Big 12’s Big Stick of the Week award after the Bears’ series victory over BYU for leading the conference with a .667 average on the week with two doubles and a triple.
• Defensively, Pilon is ranked second nationally in assists so far this season with 143, while Amber Toven follows with 115. Those two together have helped contribute to the Bears’ 28 double plays so far this season which ranks them tied for 12th nationally.
• Shaylon Govan is now Baylor’s all-time leader in career walks with 141 after she set the record when she drew a walk in the first inning of the Bears’ 6-0 midweek win over Texas State.
• As Baylor’s unanimous First-Team All-American last season, Govan, is currently in 6th place nationally in on base percentage (.596) after leading the nation in that category last season.
• Head coach Glenn Moore is in his 25th season at the helm of the Baylor Softball program. In a quarter of a century, Moore is Baylor Athletics’ active all-time wins leader across all sports. He has progressed up the active NCAA coaching ranks, now ranking No. 17 in total victories among active Division I head coaches.
– BaylorBears.com –
NIL
Paul Finebaum floats Nick Saban as potential Tommy Tuberville replacement after recent Donald Trump comments
On Friday, the Wall Street Journal reported that President Donald Trump is considering an executive order that could increase scrutiny on NIL payments to college athletes. Trump reportedly began considering the notion after he met with former Alabama head coach Nick Saban on Thursday. Trump was in Tuscaloosa to deliver the University of Alabama’s commencement […]
On Friday, the Wall Street Journal reported that President Donald Trump is considering an executive order that could increase scrutiny on NIL payments to college athletes. Trump reportedly began considering the notion after he met with former Alabama head coach Nick Saban on Thursday.
Trump was in Tuscaloosa to deliver the University of Alabama’s commencement address. Saban introduced Trump at the event.
Senior Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville, who was a head coach at Ole Miss and Auburn, also said he spoke to Trump about NIL concerns. Alas, Tuberville might not be in a position much longer to attempt to make changes to the current NIL structure at the federal level.
There have been numerous reports that Tuberville plans on giving up his seat in the Senate and running for governor. If Tuberville does so, ESPN’s Paul Finebaum believes Nick Saban should replace him.
“If what is about to happen, happens, and that means Tommy Tuberville announces he’s giving up his seat to run for governor, I don’t think there’s a better person to take that spot than Nick Saban,” Finebaum said on McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning. “By doing so, he would literally represent college athletics in Washington. And I think something would finally happen.
“He’s the most important football coach of all time, and this is the most important moment in the history of college athletics. I think even though he would be one of 100 he could do a lot of great work, and I don’t think it would be that difficult for him to get the nomination, nor get elected.”
Saban doesn’t have any previous political experience but he’s never had trouble succeeding in a new environment before. The 73-year-old was a fan favorite last season during his inaugural run as a host on ESPN’s College GameDay.
Moreover, Saban is already one of the most respected voices on the NIL topic. Finebaum believes the College Football Hall-of-Famer would be the right man for the job.
“He’s always pushed politics aside,” Finebaum said. “He’s acted uninterested, but that’s while he was a head football coach, and it’s also while Tommy Tuberville held his seat. But that’s going to change in two weeks.
“I think if enough people, and I’m starting with the President of the United States say, ‘We need you in Washington.’ I don’t know how he could turn that down… Washington, D.C. is about power, and Nick Saban would have more power than Tommy Tuberville.”
NIL
Cat Petteys Wins BIG EAST Freshman of the Year
Story Links NEW YORK – UConn stellar freshman shortstop Cat Petteys has been tabbed as the 2025 BIG EAST Freshman of the Year, becoming the sixth player in program history to receive the distinguished award. Shejoins Grace Jenkins, and Jana Sanden as the third player under head coach Laura Valentino to receive […]
NEW YORK – UConn stellar freshman shortstop Cat Petteys has been tabbed as the 2025 BIG EAST Freshman of the Year, becoming the sixth player in program history to receive the distinguished award. Shejoins Grace Jenkins, and Jana Sanden as the third player under head coach Laura Valentino to receive this honor.
Petteys (Vestal, N.Y.) has had an impressive rookie season in Storrs, playing a pivotal role in UConn’s success this season. She helped the Huskies to an 18-6 conference record and top two finish in the BIG EAST regular season. Petteys was one of the top performers in conference action this season, maintaining a .427 batting average, while slugging ten home runs and driving in 31 runs batted in. Here nine doubles were second in the conference behind teammate and Player of the Year winner Grace Jenkins.
After not seeing game action in game one of the 2025 season, Petteys has started in every game since at shortstop. In her 48 games played this season, she boasts a .416 batting average, one of just two Huskies to hit over .400 this year. The rookie shortstop leads all freshmen in the conference this season with 12 home runs, 60 hits, 42 RBI, and a .506 on-base percentage. Petteys 12 home runs this season are the most ever posted by a UConn freshman. Her 42 RBI this season are the second most by a freshman in a season (44, Grace Jenkins-2023).
Petteys was named BIG EAST Freshman of the Week six times throughout the season, earning four consecutive to end the regular season.
2025 BIG EAST Softball Major Awards & All-Conference Teams
BIG EAST Player of the Year: Grace Jenkins, Jr., C, UConn
BIG EAST Pitcher of the Year: Ana Serafinko, Jr., P, St. John’s
BIG EAST Co-Defensive Players of the Year: Ashten Pierson, So., SS, Creighton & London Jarrard, Sr., SS, St. John’s
BIG EAST Freshman of the Year: Cat Petteys, Fr., SS, UConn
BIG EAST Coaching Staff of the Year: St. John’s
All-BIG EAST First Team^
Sydney Carter, Sr., 2B, Butler
Cate Lehner, Jr., OF, Butler*
Kaitlyn Breslin, So., OF, UConn
Rosie Garcia, Sr., 3B, UConn*
Grace Jenkins, Jr., C, UConn*
Payton Kinney, Gr., P, UConn
Cat Petteys, Fr., SS, UConn
Sydney Potter, So.,1B, Creighton
Sydra Seville, Sr., OF, Creighton
Loreley Francia, Jr., P, St. John’s
Ana Serafinko, Jr., P, St. John’s
Kat Gallant, Jr., P, Villanova
Maranda Runco, So., DP, Villanova
Kelsey White, Sr., UT/P, Villanova*
All-BIG EAST Second Team^
Lexi Hastings, Sr., OF, UConn
Hope Jenkins, Jr., P, UConn
Kaelan Schultz, So., DP, Creighton
Lily West, Jr., C, Creighton
Baylee Cosgrove, Sr., 2B, DePaul
Victoria Grifone, Gr., P, Providence
Elisa Smith, Jr., OF, Providence
Jess Bianco, Jr., OF, St. John’s
London Jarrard, Sr., SS, St. John’s
Madison Konopka, Fr., 3B, St. John’s
Kelsey Carr, Gr., DP, Seton Hall
Olivia Gilbert, Sr., 1B, Seton Hall
Caroline Hobbes, Jr., 2B, Seton Hall
Kyra Kreuscher, Jr., P, Seton Hall
^Denotes a tie in voting
*Denotes a unanimous selection
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Facebook – UConn Softball
NIL
Eastern Washington AD Tim Collins discusses NIL, transfer portal, future of college athletics
CHENEY, Wash. — Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) might still be a buzzword stirring controversy in college athletics, but Eastern Washington Athletic Director Tim Collins is embracing the new era with open arms. In a sit-down conversation with SWX Sports Director Austin Getz, Collins shared his perspective on NIL, the transfer portal, and the ever-evolving […]
CHENEY, Wash. — Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) might still be a buzzword stirring controversy in college athletics, but Eastern Washington Athletic Director Tim Collins is embracing the new era with open arms.
In a sit-down conversation with SWX Sports Director Austin Getz, Collins shared his perspective on NIL, the transfer portal, and the ever-evolving landscape of college sports — offering a grounded but optimistic take on the challenges and opportunities these changes bring to schools like EWU.
“It wasn’t fair that our industry was limiting student-athletes’ earning potential,” Collins said. “If a student on a music scholarship signed a record deal, they wouldn’t lose their music scholarship. But if a student-athlete signed a record deal, they would become ineligible… We were in an era where we needed to deregulate, and we probably did so a couple of decades too late, so now it’s hard to get the toothpaste back in the tube.”
Collins noted that while the implementation of NIL has come with hurdles, it has also empowered student-athletes in ways that were previously impossible — like running youth clinics or launching entrepreneurial ventures.
A New Arms Race
Fifteen years ago, college athletic departments competed over facilities and scholarships. Today, Collins says the race has shifted.
“I think it’s the new arms race… Now it’s NIL,” he said. “Twenty years ago, we didn’t have better facilities than Alabama. Well, this year, we don’t have better NIL than Alabama. So what is all relative and where can we find ourselves because we have championship aspirations at our level in the Big Sky Conference, and specifically FCS in football.”
Managing NIL now consumes a significant portion of Collins’ daily responsibilities — especially as smaller programs try to stay competitive in a rapidly expanding market.
“Everybody likes an open market until it negatively impacts them,” Collins said.
Balancing Progress and Stability
Collins also addressed fan frustration over roster turnover and the perception of a “pay-for-play” system. His response? Lean into the opportunities rather than resist them.
“We’ve benefited from the transfer portal,” he said, pointing to Big Sky Player of the Year Jamie Loera, who helped lead EWU women’s basketball to the NCAA tournament. “It feels like it hurts us more than it helps sometimes, but we have to work those things together.”
For fans concerned about constant change, Collins emphasized EWU’s continued commitment to the student-athlete experience — from nutrition and leadership programs to academic support and career development.
“Does roster changes, roster composition, does that look different now? Yeah, probably, but on Saturdays, for example, our responsibility is to bring everyone together, bring everyone out to Roos Field and celebrate being Eags,” he said.
Looking Ahead in a Changing Landscape
With NIL, the transfer portal, conference realignment, and the looming House v. NCAA settlement all converging, many believe college athletics is nearing a breaking point. Collins admits he can’t predict the future, but says EWU’s clear identity within the FCS is a strength.
“We know who we are and who we’re not trying to be,” he said. “We [want] to maintain access to NCAA championships. That really matters for us.”
When asked about possible “guardrails” to bring stability to the NIL and transfer ecosystem, Collins returned to academics as the foundation.
“We have to adapt to it… It’s going to be really hard to regulate student-athletes to restrictions that other students or the adults in the room aren’t subject to,” he said. “So when you talk about guardrails, I go back to ensuring that the academic outcome is still happening… ensuring student-athletes are achieving meaningful degrees.”
EWU’s Approach to NIL
Each school seems to be carving out its own strategy when it comes to NIL — whether through collectives, fundraising campaigns or partnerships. Collins said Eastern Washington has built a multi-pronged approach to support its student-athletes while engaging fans and alumni.
“As the landscape evolves, our kind of rules of what we can do and how we can support our student-athletes through their name, image and likeness initiatives, that kind of takes clarity,” Collins said. “And one of the things we’ve been able to do over the last couple of months is launch GoEags.com/NIL. And that’s really our hub of all of our NIL activities for our student-athletes.”
That includes the Rise of the Red Collective, where fans can contribute directly to NIL funds that support student-athletes. EWU also partners with OpenDorse for a marketplace connecting fans with athletes for specific events, and with Influxer for player-branded merchandise like t-shirts and jerseys for fans to buy and support Eags directly.
Would He Do It Again?
Despite the whirlwind of changes, Collins remains passionate about the mission of college athletics.
“Absolutely,” he said when asked if he’d still sign up for this job knowing what he knows now. “The best part of my job still exists. I get to work with 300 young people and help them be socially mobile and create opportunities for them to better their situation, their families’ situation.”
As he sees it, the goals remain the same: serve the student-athletes, serve the campus, and serve the community. NIL might be a new chapter — but at Eastern Washington, Collins says the focus remains steady.
You learned about it on SWX.
