NIL

College Programs Booking Fewer International Excursions for 2025-26

Published

8 months ago

May 13, 2025

In years past, early May was when Austin Freese’s phone would light up with calls from university athletic departments. Lately, though, it’s been unusually quiet.

Freese is the international tour coordinator for Sport Tours International, a Milwaukee-based travel company that organizes college basketball tournaments in the U.S. and oversees international trips for NCAA teams—excursions permitted by the governing body once every four years.

But as of last week, Sport Tours International had only three foreign tours booked for this coming summer, and Freese thinks he’ll be “lucky” to end up with five. That would mark a steep drop from prior years. Heading into the summer of 2020, for instance, the company had lined up 18 college trips before the COVID-19 pandemic brought them, and most everything else, to a halt.

In the years immediately following the pandemic, there was a surge in demand, fueling a wave of summer college team travel over three consecutive offseasons. But that momentum now appears to be tapering off.

Among other factors, a mix of shifting player priorities and growing financial constraints within athletic departments has contributed to the decline in foreign travel plans—particularly among Division I basketball teams. Industry insiders are now wondering whether this is more than a temporary pause.

Since college athlete NIL compensation was permitted in July 2021, athlete payments have become increasingly embedded in athletic department budgets, culminating in the revenue-sharing provisions outlined in the House v. NCAA settlement. If the settlement is approved, schools will be incentivized to reallocate funds previously earmarked for indirect benefits, like team trips, into direct payments to players.

This financial rebalancing has also altered the culture of team trips.

“The power dynamic has shifted when it comes to team travel—suddenly, the players have money,” Freese said. “It used to be that the itinerary was set, and everyone followed it. Now, much of it is optional. Players want to hit Gucci and luxury boutiques instead of touring historical sites.”

Freese declined to name specific programs that have leaned into this model, but he’s not alone in noticing the shift.

Nels Hawkinson, co-founder and executive director of Basketball Travelers Inc., said his company has coordinated a handful of what he calls “NIL trips” in recent years. These tours focus on luxury experiences rather than the educational or cultural elements that once defined international basketball travel—more Louis Vuitton, less Louvre. Hawkinson also declined to identify participating teams.

Hawkinson and his partner, Neal Holden—both former basketball coaches—launched Basketball Travelers in 1986. In addition to organizing team tours to all six livable continents, the company hosts an online schedule board and runs the men’s and women’s Paradise Jam in the U.S. Virgin Islands and the World University Games.

“We have seen a lot of things,” said Hawkinson, who is now in his 40th year.

Still, the new financial pressures on athletic departments—from revenue-sharing to conference exit fees—have changed the game in profound ways. At one point, just before COVID, Hawkinson said Basketball Travelers was doing around 30 summer tours a year; last year, they did seven.

The shifting dynamics have similarly confronted the Battle 4 Atlantis, the only NCAA-sanctioned basketball multi-team event (MTE) held outside the United States. Since its founding in 2011, the men’s tournament has consistently drawn elite programs; last year’s field featured Arizona, Gonzaga, Indiana and Louisville. But the recently announced lineup for the 2025 event includes no traditional powerhouses and only one team—Saint Mary’s—that finished in the AP or Coaches Top 25 last season.

“Why spend $150,000 on a tour or a Caribbean MTE when you can give that money directly to the players?” said sports agent Daniel Poneman, who represents scores of college athletes. “Programs used to use these trips as recruiting tools, but now the most powerful tool is cash.”

The Battle 4 Atlantis now faces competition from in-season tournaments like the Las Vegas-based Players Era Festival, which distributed over $8 million in NIL monies to the participating teams of its inaugural event last year.

Further complicating matters is new uncertainty around international students. The Trump administration’s punitive approach toward student visa-holders has introduced new risks for programs planning to take foreign players through customs.

The latest Battle 4 Atlantis event agreements—which provide schools with $25,000 for team travel and $10,000 for meals—now include expanded force majeure language covering “any law, regulation or order either prohibiting travel to or from or entry of the team into the Commonwealth of The Bahamas issued by any government or regulatory agency of the United States or the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.”

What remains unclear is whether U.S. laws or executive orders that restrict international player travel would qualify as acts of God.

Under the terms, the Battle 4 Atlantis’ host, Island Company Hotel Limited, reserves the right to cancel for any reason with a total liability capped at $50,000. Schools, however, face steeper liquidated damages if they are found to have breached the agreement by withdrawing or otherwise failing to participate—$100,000 for South Florida and $500,000 for Western Kentucky, according to copies of their game contracts obtained by Sportico.

“We are certainly monitoring the landscape and will make that determination much closer to the November date,” a WKU athletics spokesperson told Sportico, when asked about international athlete travel. “It was not a factor, though, in deciding to accept the invitation to the Battle 4 Atlantis, as we did not know how our roster makeup would turn out when we did accept that invitation.”

The 2025 Battle 4 Atlantis will also feature Colorado State, Virginia Commonwealth, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech and Wichita State.

VCU athletic director Ed McLaughlin, in a statement, said it was his school’s understanding that “the visa issue would not trigger a force majeure event.”

“We have a long history of participation in Atlantis and various MTEs,” McLaughlin said. “We signed this contract more than a year ago and agreed to participate years before that.”

The other participating schools, as well as representatives from the Battle 4 Atlantis, did not respond to email inquiries. A spokesperson for KemperSports, which is handling event operations for the event, declined to comment.

Meanwhile, Players Era has its sights set on global expansion.

Co-founder Seth Berger told Sportico that his group is looking to host an MTE in Abu Dhabi during the 2026–27 season. Previous attempts to bring NCAA basketball games to the Middle East have failed to gain traction, but Players Era has a foothold in the region through its partnership with EverWonder Studio, the media company backed by RedBird IMI—the joint venture between Gerry Cardinale’s RedBird Capital and UAE-based International Media Investments.

John Anthony, executive vice president, collegiate for On Location, remains confident in the long-term future of international travel for college athletic programs.

According to Anthony, the company—which partners with over 90 athletic departments—saw a surge in overseas team trips last summer, though that momentum has slowed this year. He attributes the dip not to and long-term waning interest, but to the NCAA’s once-in-four rule, which has been on the books since the 1970s. As more programs become eligible again, Anthony expects international travel to rebound.

In fact, he believes recent shifts in college athletics are increasing demand for overseas trips, especially as schools look for opportunities to develop chemistry for teams increasingly composed of new transfers. The junkets can also help to cultivate donors.

Last year, Anthony Travel, a travel management company now owned by On Location, organized trips for Michigan State men’s basketball to Spain and Maryland women’s basketball to Croatia. Anthony said both coaching staffs praised the tours, highlighting their value on and off the court.

Recently, Anthony visited North Carolina to announce that UNC will face TCU in the 2026 Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland. While on campus, he conducted an informal poll, asking Tar Heels football players how many had ever been to Europe—few hands went up. But when he asked how many currently had passports, more than half the team responded affirmatively.

“That number has gone up because of NIL money,” Anthony said, adding that most players likely got their passports to vacation in places like Mexico.

Shortly after his hiring in March, new Indiana Hoosiers men’s basketball head coach Darian DeVries told the Indianapolis Star he was eagerly anticipating an overseas trip ahead of his debut season. In each of the past two summers, DeVries had taken his former West Virginia and Drake teams to Italy and Spain, positive experiences he hoped to replicate at IU. (When asked last week, an Indiana athletic department spokesperson said no trips had yet been booked.)

Still, Freese and others believe the prevailing jet streams have shifted directions, and that the smartest move for companies like his is to recalibrate accordingly. While Sport Tours International has lined up two Division I men’s basketball teams for this summer—IU Indy and Northern Colorado—Freese sees a more sustainable future in serving non-revenue sports and lower-division schools.

“The women are always more curious, (and) the D-III schools are more normal, more interested—they travel better,” Freese said. “The players expect to carry their own luggage.”

(This story has been updated to include John Anthony’s updated title in the ninth-to-last paragraph and to include that Anthony Travel is now owned by On Location.)

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NIL

Oregon Ducks Could Steal Another Transfer Portal Player From USC Trojans

Published

52 minutes ago

December 26, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning walks off the field after a timeout as the Oregon Ducks take on the Washington Huskies on Nov. 29, 2025, at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning — Oregon head coach Dan Lanning walks off the field after a timeout as the Oregon Ducks take on the Washington Huskies on Nov. 29, 2025, at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. | Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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NIL

Report: Terry Smith’s lack of FBS head coaching prevented him from landing Penn State job

Published

2 hours ago

December 26, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Despite being one of the first major Power Four openings following the Oct. 12 firing of James Franklin six games into the season, Penn State was without a full-time head football coach for 58 days until Iowa State‘s Matt Campbell was formally hired on Dec. 5.

During the two-month-long coaching search, more than 10 candidates — from Alabama‘s Kalen DeBoer to Nebraska‘s Matt Rhule — were reportedly mentioned in connection to the Nittany Lions opening, even if most were never serious options. Several of those candidates — Rhule, Indiana‘s Curt Cignetti and BYU‘s Kalani Sitake — received lucractive contract extensions just for being mentioned in connection to Penn State.

In the meantime, longtime assistant and interim head coach Terry Smith did his best to pick up the pieces of the once-promising season and closed out on a three-game win streak to secure bowl eligibility for Penn State (6-6). That late-season surge helped boost support for Smith to be promoted to full-time head coach, especially among current and former players.

During Penn State’s victory over Rutgers, multiple players held up signs that read, “Hire Terry Smith,” which showed the amount of support the veteran coach had built within the program. Former PSU star Michael Robinson also advocated for Smith to get the top job.

Terry Smith on support from PSU alumni: ‘It means everything’

“It means everything,” Smith said in late November. “Obviously, the support that the lettermen are giving me, especially Michael Robinson doing that, obviously it means we’re doing something right. Just trying to create a culture for our team to play hard, play tough, and for our fans to get behind us and support us and stay in our corner.”

Smith, a four-year letter winner between 1987-91 under legendary head coach Joe Paterno, was ultimately retained and will return as the associate head coach under Campbell. But the lengthy search left many wondering why the 56-year-old alum and longtime associate head coach wasn’t given more serious consideration.

Turns out Smith was a “legitimate candidate,” according to a detailed report from ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg, Max Olson and Eli Lederman released on Christmas Eve. The ESPN report revealed Smith was among five candidates that actually interviewed with PSU athletic director Pat Kraft, though he “ultimately lacked the FBS head coaching experience Penn State desired.”

Of course, prior to his interim gig this season, Smith has never led his own collegiate football program. The former collegiate receiver nicknamed “Superfly” has served as the Nittany Lions’ cornerbacks coach since 2014, adding the title of assistant head coach two years later in 2016 before becoming the associate head coach in 2021. Given that wealth of experience, Smith was a priority for Campbell and Penn State, which reportedly made him college football’s highest-paid non-coordinator, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz.

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NIL

Kaleb Glenn gives perfect example of how NIL can be used the right way

Published

3 hours ago

December 26, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Tom Izzo has been vocal about disliking the direction in which college athletics are headed, and it has a lot to do with the transfer portal and the crazy NIL deals that players are signing.

Some college athletes are making more than professionals and that irks Izzo. He also thinks that it’s doing these athletes a disservice. He’s not against NIL, if it’s used correctly.

Izzo has to love what Kaleb Glenn is doing with his NIL money, however.

Huge shout out to Kaleb Glenn, a @MSU_Basketball player and native Louisvillian, who donated $5,000 of his NIL proceeds to our Hardship to Hope effort.

Thank you, Kaleb, for giving back to our community and for setting such a great example! ♥️#UnitedIsTheWay pic.twitter.com/rj6hgnmkFZ

— Metro United Way (@MetroUnitedWay) December 23, 2025

Glenn donated $5,000 to his local United Way for their Hardship to Hope effort over the holiday break, and that’s something that no one told him to do, but he wanted to give back. Glenn is from Louisville, so he’s giving back to his hometown’s United Way. That’s exactly why NIL can be a good thing because these players want to be able to give back.

The FAU transfer hasn’t even played a game this season, but he’s now the second Spartan that has done charity work during the holidays (at least publicly).

Earlier this month, Trey Fort provided food at a local food bank for people in need. Izzo has built a program of players who are willing to give some of their hard-earned NIL money back. That’s something that not a lot of programs have.

Tom Izzo has assembled a roster of OKGs

Not often does it feel like all the players on a team are great for the program, but you can just tell that Michigan State’s roster is full of “OKGs”, as Izzo calls them.

Jeremy Fears Jr. is one of the best leaders that Izzo has ever coached, Jaxon Kohler has turned into a great leader, too, Carson Cooper and Coen Carr have also grown into that role, the freshmen seem to be learning quickly, and the transfers are doing charity work left and right.

The entire team feels like a perfect Izzo mold.

Rarely has Izzo had guys who didn’t buy into his culture or sense of family, but this year’s team seems to be exactly what he hoped for — much like last year’s squad.

We’ll see if this pays off with a run at a national title.

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NIL

Texas’ Michael Taaffe Delivers Critical NIL Advice to Young Athletes

Published

4 hours ago

December 26, 2025

Your Sports Nation

After five seasons with Texas, safety Michael Taaffe is leaving the Longhorns and declaring for the NFL Draft. In those five years, Taaffe went from a walk-on with no guarantee of playing time to an All-American fan favorite who proved he was capable of standing out among SEC safeties.

Now, as he embarks on his NFL journey, Taaffe continues to provide advice for younger players entering their collegiate careers, most recently speaking on NIL.

Taaffe Emphasizes Brand Awareness to Young Athletes

Michael Taaffe Texas Longhorns — Oct 18, 2025; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive back Michael Taaffe (16) celebrates after the Kentucky Wildcats fail to score during overtime at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images | Jordan Prather-Imagn Images

“How do you want your platform to be remembered?” Taaffe said, according to On3. “I think everybody is an entrepreneur in the game of football. You all have your own business. You all have your own brand. How do you want your brand to be remembered?”

Texas is currently ranked as the nation’s most valuable athletic program, according to a report by CNBC. As one of the standout players for the Longhorns, Taaffe has been able to reap the benefits of that valuation, but is selective of what he endorses.

“When I say this, I don’t mean to take any shots at anybody, but do you want your brand to be… [an] Instagram filled [with] the local sandwich shop or the local smoothie shop or the local clothing store?” Taaffe said. “Or, do you want it filled for good and significance in your life that will be far more important than $5,000 or $10,000? That’s how I truly live it.”

According to a June article from Athlon Sports, Taaffe’s NIL valuation stands at $468,000. Some of his biggest partnerships have included Sonic, where he worked with some fellow Longhorns, and SeatGeek.

While he says he doesn’t have the exact formula for navigating NIL, what athletes must consider is what they want their brand to represent.

“There’s no wrong or right way to go about NIL, it’s just, how do you want your business to be programmed and ran?” Taaffe said. “I’ve been chosen to be on the side of, I want my brand to mimic who I am as a person. I believe that my calling is to give back. I’ve been trying to use my brand to give back.”

Taaffe was recently awarded the 2025 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, the college’s premier award for community service, according to the award’s website. Credited for his community service outreach, Taaffe now looks to the next generation of college players to carefully weigh their decisions when it comes to their brand.

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NIL

Washington Huskies Star WR Denzel Boston Declares for 2026 NFL Draft

Published

4 hours ago

December 25, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Washington wide receiver Denzel Boston plans to enter the 2026 NFL Draft, he announced on Wednesday on social media.

The 6-foot-4, 210-pound Boston had 62 receptions for 881 yards and 11 touchdowns this season as a junior, earning third-team All-Big Ten honors. Last year, he had 63 catches for 834 yards and nine touchdowns.

In Washington’s 38-10 win over Boise State in the LA Bowl on Dec. 13, Boston caught six passes for 126 yards, including a 78-yard touchdown.

The 22-year-old is from South Hill, Washington, 45 miles south of Husky Stadium.

“Every time I stepped on that field,” Boston said, “it was for the city that raised me and the people who supported me from day one.”

FOX Sports NFL Draft expert Rob Rang had the Los Angeles Rams selecting Boston with the 31st overall pick in his most recent mock draft. Rang also ranked Boston as the fifth-best wide receiver in the 2026 draft class in October.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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