As͏ ͏t͏he NIL͏ era͏ ͏continues to reshape college ͏footbal͏l, the Tennes͏see͏ Volunteers have found themselves right in the th͏ick of it. The first half of 202͏5 has already seen ͏major cha͏nge͏s in Knoxville, highlighted͏ by the sudden departure of quarterback Nic͏o Iamaleava.

The for͏mer College F͏oot͏ball Playoff s͏tarter reportedly left the program following͏ a dispute ove͏r NIL, eve͏n skipping͏ the fin͏al sprin͏g͏ p͏r͏act͏ice. His exit͏ reflects t͏he growin͏g impact of NIL͏ and the transfe͏r portal on team͏ stability.

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In͏ res͏ponse to rumors͏ that Texas operates with a͏ staggering ͏$40 million ͏N͏IL budget, Tennes͏see͏ Athletics ͏Direc͏tor D͏anny White didn’t hold back.

“I thi͏nk it’s hard to kn͏ow what’s true,”͏ White ͏sai͏d͏. “There’s so many numbers bein͏g ͏thrown ͏out.” Still, he emphasized t͏ha͏t ͏Tennessee has no intention of falling ͏behind in͏ t͏he NIL race.

“We are as co͏mpetitive as anyone,” White added. “I think in͏ ͏the NIL s͏pace, we came͏ out t͏he͏ gat͏e a͏s a ͏leader and we’re going to con͏tin͏u͏e to have͏ our ͏foot ͏o͏n the gas.”

W͏hi͏te pointed ͏to Tennessee’s g͏row͏t͏h ͏as͏ pro͏of of th͏eir commitment͏. “In the last four years,͏ we͏’ve ͏gro͏wn from $140 million in annual revenue͏ ͏an͏d will cl͏ose the b͏o͏oks this y͏ear close͏r to $2͏80 [mill͏ion],” he sai͏d͏.

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H͏e made it c͏lear that all reve͏nu͏e is ͏be͏ing us͏ed to sup͏port th͏e program. ͏“W͏e’r͏e͏ no͏t generating all ͏this revenue t͏o put ͏it ͏in some ͏coffers to ͏make me f͏eel good. We’͏re͏ generating ͏revenue to rei͏nv͏est in our programs to win at a hig͏h level͏.͏”

“I’m happy that the kids are getting a piece of the pie now, and we’ll continue to evaluate how we can organize it better and have more controls over it,” he added.

Whi͏te͏ also ack͏nowl͏edg͏ed ͏the need for fut͏u͏re N͏IL ͏structure an͏d ͏accountability.

Related: Major NIL Announcement Made on Friday After Tennessee-Iamaleava Situation

President Donald Trump may be preparing to enter the college athletics debate by exploring an executive order related to Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) compensation.

This follows a recent meeting with former Alabama football coach Nick Saban in Tuscaloosa. According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump and Saban met Thursday night before the president returned to Mar-a-Lago. The two reportedly discussed the current state of college sports and the chaos surrounding NIL payments. The landscape of amateur athletics has shifted significantly since their legalization in 2021.

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Saban has long been vocal about the negative impact he believes NIL has had on college sports. According to the WSJ report, Saban told Trump that the influx of unregulated money has damaged the integrity and competitive balance of college athletics. The timing of this is notable. Most schools are scrambling to finalize NIL deals before a July 1 deadline. That’s when House settlement could impose new revenue-sharing caps and roster limits.

Related: Quinn Ewers suffers major blow following the NFL Draft

While Trump hasn’t officially announced any action, his aides are reportedly beginning to explore what an executive order might look like.

This would be a significant move as Congress has yet to move forward with any legislation to govern NIL. College figureheads have spent the past two years lobbying for federal guidance, hoping to create a level playing field and avoid further legal battles. Their fear is that without clear rules, NIL will continue to create inequalities and expose the NCAA to antitrust lawsuits.

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Related: South Carolina QB turns heads with latest NIL deal

The potential for executive action is good on paper but lacks significant backing across the board. Any attempt by the federal government to place limits on athletes’ earnings or restructure NIL frameworks could face strong legal opposition.

Despite the legal risks, some believe that if Trump were to frame an executive order as providing “guardrails,” rather than restrictions, it could gain political traction.

Related: Livvy Dunne catches everyone’s attention with all-pink Kentucky Derby outfit

In the meantime, college athletic departments are in serious limbo. They’re preparing for a post-settlement world without a clear rulebook. At the same time, the rules might be amended again. What’s certain is that the NIL era is forcing everyone to reconsider the future of college sports. For better or worse, it’s happening.

MORAGA, Calif. — The Gaels (25-22, 8-3 2nd in WCC) continue to stay red-hot, as they took both games of a doubleheader today against the University of San Diego (20-28, 4-10 6th in WCC) to remain just one game back of first place in the conference. The wins were the Gaels fourth and fifth straight, tying, then breaking the season’s longest win streak mark. 

GAME ONE: SMC 3 – USD 2

Mia Nishikawa got the ball in game one of the series for the third time in four conference clashes this year. After a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the first, the Toreros took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second on a two out double, followed by a two run blast to left. For the third time in the last four games, the Gaels were asked to play from behind early, and to attempt a comeback. That doesn’t happen if your pitcher doesn’t respond to the early adversity, and respond Mia did! The sophomore hung up five straight zeroes from the third through the seventh innings, allowing just two hits and three total base runners for the rest of the game, leaving plenty of time for her offense to chip away. 

M3 | SMC 0 – USD 2

The broadcast is back just in time to catch this sweet grab by Mia Zabat

The Toreros go three up, three down and the Gaels are back up to bat!#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/l17UwuYY5V

— Saint Mary’s Softball (@GaelsSoftball) May 3, 2025

M5 | SMC 1 – USD 2

WHAT A PLAY

After tipping off Sam Buckley’s glove, Mia Zabat makes the diving back-up catch to end the inning!#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/OpIkT5md0M

— Saint Mary’s Softball (@GaelsSoftball) May 3, 2025

The Gaels got on the scoreboard in the bottom of third first. Dominique Oliveria launched a double to deep right to lead off the inning with her first collegiate extra base hit. With one out, Sam Buckley would walk, and Camille Lara would flare a single to left to load the bases for the defending WCC Player of the Week, Tori Cervantes. After a seven pitch battle, Cervantes lifted a ball to straight away center, which was deep enough for the fleet footed Oliveira to score and cut the deficit in half. 

B3 | SMC 1 – USD 2

Tori Cervantes gets the Gaels on the board with an RBI sacrifice fly #GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/ou8MIr9Ct5

— Saint Mary’s Softball (@GaelsSoftball) May 3, 2025

San Diego’s Kelsey Tadlock would do an excellent job keeping the Gaels bats at bay, but in the sixth, the Gaels would flip the script to take their first lead of the weekend. Alex Cutonilli would work a seven pitch walk, and would then advance to second on a productive groundout by Taylor Lane. Victoria Castillo would log her second hit of the day, a single through the right side, and would advance to second on a throw to the plate that would force Cutonilli to retreat to third base. The Gaels would then call on their senior catcher Jenavee Amador to pinch hit, and Amador delivered, taking a rise ball back up the middle to score both Cutonilli and Castillo. Ahead by a run, all that was left was for Mia Nishikawa to finish the job, and she did just that, retiring the side in order in the seventh to earn her 10th victory of the season. 

B6 | SMC 3 – USD 2

GAELS TAKE THE LEAD

Senior Jenavee Amador comes in with a clutch pinch-hit for SMC and drives in two runs!#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/dJQFqZBsZw

— Saint Mary’s Softball (@GaelsSoftball) May 3, 2025

Camille Lara and Victoria Castillo both stayed hot, each with a two hit ballgame, moving both of their tallies to seven knocks over the last four games. Castillo also scored what would prove to be the winning run. Jenavee Amador would produce her first pinch hit hit of the year, and it would prove to be the most pivotal moment of the game. Dominique Oliveira was responsible for the lone extra base hit for the Gaels, the first of her collegiate career. The win was the Gaels eighth come from behind W, and their third in the last four games.

GAME TWO: SMC 7 – USD 1

Odhi Vasquez got the ball in game two, and did not disappoint. The junior walked the first batter she faced, then proceeded to retire the next nine, taking a no-hitter into the fourth inning. San Diego would break through with two singles in the first, resulting in their lone run of the game, but those were the only two hits that Odhi would allow in the contest. With her offense coming to life in game two, Vasquez cruised to her 10th win of the season in complete game fashion. 

After being kept quiet in the first, the Gaels struck for two unearned runs in the second, and two earned in the third. Alex Cutonilli reached on an error to second base to start the second, and advanced to second on a Taylor Lane groundout. Victoria Castillo laced a ball to left and advanced to second on a throw in, bringing up game one hero, Jenavee Amador, to the plate with runners at second and third and one away. Just like in game one, Amador delivered with a single to center, scoring Cutonilli from third. Mia Zabat would line out to right, deep enough to score Castillo and push the Gaels ahead 2-0 through two. 

B2 | SMC 2 – USD 0

Saint Mary’s strikes first with an RBI single from Jenavee Amador #GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/98SsJH7dl1

— Saint Mary’s Softball (@GaelsSoftball) May 3, 2025

In the third, Sam Buckley ripped a single down the left field line with one out, and advanced to second on Camille Lara’s ground out to second. Tori Cervantes then rolled one back up the middle to plate Buckley, and stole second, before Alex Cutonilli blasted a ball off the base of the fence in right, scoring Cervantes. Through three innings, the Gaels held a 4-0 lead, with Odhi Vasquez cruising. 

B3 | SMC 4 – USD 0

Make that more for the Gaels in the bottom of the third as Tori Cervantes and Alex Cutonilli string together back to back RBI hits #GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/xZEUuesrGK

— Saint Mary’s Softball (@GaelsSoftball) May 3, 2025

San Diego would break up the shutout in the fourth, and bounced back to start and slow down the Gaels offense, until the fifth inning. Camille Lara smacked a single to right center with one away, but was eliminated on a Tori Cervantes fielder’s choice. Cervantes advanced to second on a wild pitch, but that would mean little, as Alex Cutonilli would hammer an 0-2 drop ball to the deepest part of center field for her seventh home run of the year. Saint Mary’s would add one more in the sixth on a Torero error at short, giving Vasquez more than enough insurance to close things out for her tenth win. 

B5 | SMC 6 – USD 1

BIRTHDAY BASH

Alex Cutonilli leaves the yard with a two-run blast on her birthday!#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/JMAWKQMyhn

— Saint Mary’s Softball (@GaelsSoftball) May 3, 2025

Alex Cutonilli finished a stellar birthday game with the two hardest parts of the cycle, a triple and a home run, driving in three of the Gaels seven runs. Sam Buckley and Mia Zabat each also had two hit ballgames, with Buckley scoring once and Zabat scoring a run and driving in a run. Tori Cervantes had just one hit, but scored twice, and drove in one, while swiping her team best 12th stolen bag. The win moved the Gaels winning streak to five in a row, the longest of the season. Santa Clara also won both of their contests against LMU, meaning the Gaels remain one game back of the Broncos, but move to 2.5 games ahead of the Lions, who sit in third. 

UP NEXT

The Gaels will finish out their three game set against San Diego tomorrow at noon. As it is the final home regular season contest of the year, the Gaels will honor their four graduating seniors, Jenavee Amador, Lindsay Cabral, Claudia Kirchner and Avrey Wolverton in a pregame ceremony. 

#GaelsRise

 

PROVO, Utah – The No. 11 Red Raiders (42-12, 20-4) closed out the regular series with a 2-1 win over BYU (31-16, 13-11) on Saturday night on ESPNU. Tech took all eight of the conference series they played in this season as head coach Gerry Glasco improved his conference-series winning streak to 60.

NiJaree Canady improved to 23-5 in the circle after allowing just one run on one hit and striking out eight batters through 7.0 innings of work. Canady’s 23 wins puts her tied for third-most in a single season in program history.

Mihyia Davis and Lauren Allred led the way offensively for Tech, both turning in multi-hit performances as Davis went 2-for-4 with a stolen base and a run while Allred went 3-for-3 with two RBI.

How it happened:

It was another pitchers’ duel and defensive battle for most of the game. BYU’s Kaysen Korth and Jada Villegas threw well as Villegas allowed just one hit in the final 3.0 innings.

Tech’s defense again plays strong in the field thanks to Hailey Toney and Bailey Lindemuth on the left side of the infield and Alexa Langeliers and Lauren Allred holding down the right side.

Canady was again nothing short of phenomenal as she allowed just one hit, a solo home run, and one free pass after hitting a batter in the sixth inning. She recorded eight strikeouts and retired the first 12 batters she saw thanks to five 1-2-3 innings.

Tech was able to manufacture some runs in the third inning after Demi Elder led off with a single up the middle. Mihyia Davis was able to aboard thanks to an excellent bunt which showed off her speed down the base path. Toney laid down an great sacrifice bunt – one of two she recorded in the game – to push Elder and Davis over to second and third with one out. Following the second out of the inning, Allred stepped up to the plate and took a 1-0 pitch into shallow center field to score both runners and give Tech – and ultimately the win.

The Cougars lone run came in the bottom of the fourth inning but weren’t able to get anything going outside of their one hit.

UP NEXT: Tech will head to the Big 12 Championship in Oklahoma City as the No. 1 seed where they will get a first-round bye. The tournament is played May 7-10 at OGE Field at Devon Park.

 

An Unforeseen Intersection of Sports and Politics
A seismic shift is stirring in the world of college football, where new guidelines on athletes’ name, image, and likeness (NIL) are poised to transform the sport. The changes have ignited fresh debates, triggering strategic moves from figures known for their influence both on and off the field.

Navigating the NIL Revolution
Recent moves signal that the landscape of college athletics is entering uncharted territory. The evolving regulations on NIL, which allow college players to profit from their personal brands, have introduced an element of unpredictability. As the rules are refined, stakeholders are bracing for potential upheavals that could redefine recruiting, competition, and even academic alignment, prompting seasoned figures to act swiftly.

Strategic Calculations on the Gridiron
Among those preparing for change is one of college football’s most prominent strategists. With an established reputation for both football mastery and astute decision-making, this key figure is leveraging longstanding relationships with governmental circles to help steer reform. His proactive stance suggests that meaningful adjustments to NIL policies may come with serious and lasting consequences, impacting teams, athletes, and the broader collegiate sports framework in ways that extend far beyond the field.

The Unlikely Alliance
In an unexpected twist, a high-profile political figure known for his polarizing persona has entered the conversation about college football’s future. This political involvement signifies a merging of sports and high-level governance, hinting that future regulations could carry the imprint of strategic political priorities. The collaboration evokes echoes of past transformative eras, where proactive leadership and political backing converged to reshape important cultural institutions. The shared ambition is clear: to instill greater consistency and control in an arena that has long operated under its own unpredictable rules.

Broader Implications and Reflective Takeaways
The unfolding scenario is a reminder that college sports, much like other cultural and economic sectors, are not immune to the currents of political change. The upcoming reforms, driven by an alliance between sports leadership and political influence, underscore the interconnectedness of power, policy, and passion that defines modern collegiate athletics. As the community stands by to witness these changes, the significant takeaway is that navigating the future will require not only strategic foresight but also a balanced integration of athletic tradition with contemporary regulatory practices.

A Thoughtful Look Ahead
In the end, the dialogue on NIL reforms transcends mere regulatory adjustments—it invites a broader discussion on the nature of fairness, opportunity, and the evolving role of sports within society. The convergence of influential voices from both football and political spheres suggests a transformative period ahead, one that will likely reshape college football into a more regulated yet dynamic arena. The long-term impact of these decisions reminds us that progress often comes with challenges, urging all stakeholders to prepare thoughtfully for the future.

The regular season is in the books, and the 2025 SEC Softball Tournament will get underway next week. As teams get ready to head to Athens, the league announced the bracket and seedings.

In its first year in the conference, Oklahoma brought home the regular-season title. The Sooners went 17-7 in conference play and finished two games ahead of Texas A&M, which came in as the No. 2 seed in the field. Fellow newcomer Texas will be the No. 3 seed after a 16-8 mark in league play.

The 2025 SEC softball tournament gets underway May 6 at Georgia’s Jack Turner Softball Stadium. Here is the full bracket and seeds for the week. The top four will receive double-byes to the quarterfinals.

Tuesday, May 6

Game 1: No. 12 Georgia vs. No. 13 Kentucky – 1 p.m. ET, SEC Network
Game 2: No. 11 Ole Miss vs. No. 14 Missouri – 35 minutes after Game 1, SEC Network
Game 3: No. 10 Alabama vs. No. 15 Auburn – 35 minutes after Game 2, SEC Network

Wednesday, May 7

Game 4: No. 8 Mississippi State vs. No. 9 LSU – 11 a.m. ET, SEC Network
Game 5: No. 5 Arkansas vs. Winner of Game 1 – 35 minutes after Game 4, SEC Network
Game 6: No. 6 Florida vs. Winner of Game 2 – 5 p.m. ET, SEC Network
Game 7: No. 7 South Carolina vs. Winner of Game 3 – 35 minutes after Game 6, SEC Network

Thursday, May 8

Game 8: No. 1 Oklahoma vs. Winner of Game 4 – 11 a.m. ET, SEC Network
Game 9: No. 4 Tennessee vs. Winner of Game 5 – 35 minutes after Game 8, SEC Network
Game 10: No. 3 Texas vs. Winner of Game 6 – 5 p.m. ET, SEC Network
Game 11: No. 2 Texas A&M vs. Winner of Game 7 – 35 minutes after Game 10, SEC Network

Friday, May 9

Game 12: Winner of Game 8 vs. Winner of Game 9 – 4 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Game 13: Winner of Game 10 vs. Winner of Game 11 – 35 minutes after Game 12, ESPN2

Saturday, May 10

Championship Game: 5 p.m. ET, ESPN

Oklahoma will look to continues its consecutive conference tournament title streak, which began in 2023 when the Sooners were in the Big 12. OU finished the regular season with a 43-7 overall record along with the 17-7 mark in conference play, and still won the league despite dropping its final two games against Florida.

Now, the stage is set for the 2025 SEC softball tournament. It all gets underway May 6 as Georgia takes on Kentucky at 11 a.m. ET.