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College sports lurches forward, hoping to find a level playing field with fewer lawsuits | National

MIRAMAR BEACH, Fla. (AP) — On the one hand, what this new version of cash-infused college sports needs are rules that everybody follows. On the other, they need to be able to enforce those rules without getting sued into oblivion. Enter the College Sports Commission, a newly created operation that will be in charge of […]

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MIRAMAR BEACH, Fla. (AP) — On the one hand, what this new version of cash-infused college sports needs are rules that everybody follows.

On the other, they need to be able to enforce those rules without getting sued into oblivion.

Enter the College Sports Commission, a newly created operation that will be in charge of counting the money, deciding what a “fair market” deal for players looks like and, if things go well, helping everyone in the system avoid trips to court whenever a decision comes down that someone doesn’t like.

With name, image, likeness payments taking over in college, this group will essentially become what the NCAA committee on infractions used to be – the college sports police, only with the promise of being faster, maybe fairer and maybe more transparent.

In a signal of what the CSC’s most serious mission might be, the schools from the four biggest conferences are being asked to sign a document pledging not to rely on state laws – some of which are more permissive of payments to players — to work around the rules the commission is making.

“We need to get out of this situation where something happens, and we run to our attorney general and file suit,” said Trev Alberts of Texas A&M, one of 10 athletic directors who are part of another group, the Settlement Implementation Committee, that is helping oversee the transition. “That chaos isn’t sustainable. You’re looking for a durable system that actually has some stability and ultimate fairness.”

Number crunching to figure out what’s fair

In this new landsacpe, two different companies will be in charge of two kinds of number crunching.

The first, and presumably more straightforward, is data being compiled by LBi Software, which will track how much schools are spending on every athlete, up to the $20.5 million cap each is allowed to distribute in the first year of the new arrangement expected to begin July 1.

This sounds easy but comes with the assumption that universities – which, for decades, have sought to eke out every edge they can, rulebook or no – will provide accurate data.

“Over history, boosters have looked for ways to give their schools an advantage,” said Gabe Feldman, a sports law professor at Tulane. “I think that will continue even with the settlement. It’s anyone’s guess as to how that manifests, and what the new competitive landscape looks like.”

Adding some level of transparency to the process, along with the CSC’s ability to deliver sanctions if it identifies cheaters, will be key to the new venture’s success.

“There’s legal risk that prohibits you from doing that,” Alberts said. “But we want to start as transparent as we can be, because we think it engenders trust.”

Good intentions aside, Alberts concedes, “I don’t think it’s illogical to think that, at first, it’s probably going to be a little wonky.”

How much should an endorsement deal be worth?

Some of the wonkiest bookkeeping figures to come from the second category of number crunching, and that involves third-party NIL deals. The CSC hired Deloitte to run a so-called clearinghouse called “NIL Go,” which will be in charge of evaluating third-party deals worth $600 or more.

Because these deals aren’t allowed to pay players simply for playing – that’s still technically forbidden in college sports — but instead for some service they provide (an endorsement, a social media shoutout and so forth), every deal needs to be evaluated to show it is worth a fair price for what the player is doing.

In a sobering revelation, Deloitte shared with sports leaders earlier this month that around 70% of third-party deals given to players since NIL became allowable in 2021 would have been denied by the new clearinghouse.

All these valuations, of course, are subject to interpretation. It’s much easier to set the price of a stock, or a bicycle, than the value of an athlete’s endorsement deal. This is where things figure to get dicey. Though the committee has an appeals process, then an arbitration process, ultimately, some of these cases are destined to be challenged in court.

“You’re just waiting to see, what is a ‘valid business purpose’ (for an NIL deal), and what are the guidelines around that?” said Rob Lang, a business litigation partner at Thompson Coburn who deals with sports cases. “You can see all the lawyer fights coming out of that.”

Avoiding court, coordinating state laws are new priorities

In fact, elements of all this are ripe to be challenged in court, which might explain why the power conferences drafted the document pledging fealty to the new rules in the first place.

For instance, Feldman called a law recently enacted in Tennessee viewed by many as the most athlete-friendly statute in the country “the next step in the evolution” of state efforts to bar the NCAA from limiting NIL compensation for athletes with an eye on winning battles for recruits and retaining roster talent.

“What we’ve seen over the last few years is states trying to one-up each other to make their institutions more attractive places for people to go,” he said. “This is the next iteration of that. It may set up a showdown between the schools, the NCAA and the states.”

Greg Sankey, the commissioner of the Southeastern Conference, said a league spanning 12 states cannot operate well if all those states have different rules about how and when it is legal to pay players.

The SEC has been drafting legislation for states to pass to unify the rules across the conference. Ultimately, Sankey and a lot of other people would love to see a national law passed by Congress that does that for all states and all conferences.

That will take months, if not years, which is why the new committee drafted the document for the schools to sign.

“We are all defendant schools and conferences and you inherently agree to this,” Alberts said of the document. “I sat in the room with all of our football coaches, ‘Do you want to be governed?’ The answer is ‘yes.’”


AP college sports: https://apnews.com/hub/college-sports



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Stalions’ Wild Rant, Finebaum’s Texas Prediction, and SCORE Act Impact on NIL

Connor Stalions, a former Michigan football analyst, sparked controversy with a wild response to TCU coach Sonny Dykes’ comments about Michigan’s sign-stealing methods during the 2022 College Football Playoff. Stalions claimed he was never fooled by opponents and criticized the performance of Michigan players in that game. The outburst came as Michigan faces potential NCAA […]

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Connor Stalions, a former Michigan football analyst, sparked controversy with a wild response to TCU coach Sonny Dykes’ comments about Michigan’s sign-stealing methods during the 2022 College Football Playoff. Stalions claimed he was never fooled by opponents and criticized the performance of Michigan players in that game. The outburst came as Michigan faces potential NCAA repercussions, with a ruling expected in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, a new Texas vs. Ohio State matchup has the college football world buzzing, especially after analyst Paul Finebaum confidently predicts a Longhorns victory. Additionally, the SCORE Act introduced in Congress could reshape NIL regulations for college athletes.

By the Numbers

  • Stalions admitted to knowing “almost every signal” against seven high-profile opponents between 2021 and 2022.
  • Brice Sensabaugh scored 37 points in the NBA’s Salt Lake City Summer League, setting a new record.

Yes, But

While Stalions’ comments stirred controversy, they also highlight the ongoing debate over competitive integrity in college sports. Critics may view his outburst as an attempt to deflect blame from Michigan’s performance, raising questions about accountability.

State of Play

  • The NCAA investigation into Michigan’s sign-stealing practices is ongoing, with a ruling expected within 30 to 90 days.
  • Ohio State’s football season opener against Texas is set for August 30, with both teams highly anticipated in the upcoming college season.

What’s Next

The NCAA’s impending decision could significantly impact Michigan’s season and coaching staff, while the new NCAA landscape may reshape NIL deals for athletes across the country. As the college football schedule approaches, the Texas vs. Ohio State game is positioned to draw significant attention.

Bottom Line

The unfolding drama around Connor Stalions and the NCAA investigation reflects broader issues in college sports, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in athletic programs. With looming regulatory changes, the landscape of college athletics is poised for significant transformation.





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Highest-rated Class of 2026 football recruits from Iowa |

Highest-rated Class of 2026 football recruits from Iowa The recruiting race for the Class of 2026 is already heating up — not just on the field, but in the increasingly complex ecosystem of modern college football, where NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals are reshaping how programs and players navigate early recruitment. For elite underclassmen, […]

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Highest-rated Class of 2026 football recruits from Iowa

The recruiting race for the Class of 2026 is already heating up — not just on the field, but in the increasingly complex ecosystem of modern college football, where NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals are reshaping how programs and players navigate early recruitment. For elite underclassmen, talent alone is no longer the only factor drawing attention; marketability, social media presence, and brand potential are now playing pivotal roles in how offers are extended and decisions are made. The top recruits in the 2026 cycle are not only physically advanced and highly skilled — they’re entering high school with endorsement potential and media savviness.

Stacker compiled a list of the highest rated Class of 2026 football recruits from Iowa using data from 247Sports. Here’s the players from Iowa set to dominate Saturdays (and potentially Sundays) for years to come.

WoodysPhotos // Shutterstock

#9. Colin Whitters (IOL)

– National rank: #771 (3 stars)

– Position rank: #68

– College: Iowa

– Offers: Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas State

– High school: West Senior (Iowa City, IA)

David Lee // Shutterstock

#8. Draeden Punt (DL)

– National rank: #718 (3 stars)

– Position rank: #82

– College: Kansas

– Offers: Kansas, Kansas State, South Dakota

– High school: MOC-Floyd Valley (Orange City, IA)

Ron Alvey // Shutterstock

#7. Dreshaun Ross (ATH)

– National rank: #647 (3 stars)

– Position rank: #42

– College: not committed

– Offers: Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas State, Michigan, Minnesota

– High school: Fort Dodge (Fort Dodge, IA)

zoff // Shutterstock

#6. Jeffrey Roberts (WR)

– National rank: #529 (3 stars)

– Position rank: #86

– College: Iowa State

– Offers: Iowa State, Kansas State

– High school: Ames (Ames, IA)

kuzmaphoto // Shutterstock

#5. Kasen Thomas (LB)

– National rank: #484 (3 stars)

– Position rank: #34

– College: not committed

– Offers: Iowa, Iowa State, Arizona, Kansas State, Michigan State

– High school: Bishop Heelan Catholic (Sioux City, IA)

Guzel Studio // Shutterstock

#4. Jayden McGregory (ATH)

– National rank: #396 (4 stars)

– Position rank: #26

– College: not committed

– Offers: Louisville, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Georgia

– High school: Valley (Des Moines, IA)

Bobby Stevens Photo // Shutterstock

#3. Evan Jacobson (TE)

– National rank: #271 (4 stars)

– Position rank: #15

– College: not committed

– Offers: Notre Dame, Florida State, Auburn, Texas A&M, Stanford

– High school: Waukee (Waukee, IA)

Fabricio Barili // Shutterstock

#2. Carson Nielsen (OT)

– National rank: #268 (4 stars)

– Position rank: #23

– College: Iowa

– Offers: Iowa, Iowa State, Kansas State, Minnesota, Missouri

– High school: West (Waterloo, IA)

SEALANDSKYPHOTO // Shutterstock

#1. Julian Manson (ATH)

– National rank: #261 (4 stars)

– Position rank: #15

– College: not committed

– Offers: Iowa, Minnesota, Arizona, Kansas State, Kent State

– High school: West Senior (Iowa City, IA)



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Le’Veon Moss arrest: Mike Elko releases statement on Texas A&M RB

Texas A&M RB Le’Veon Moss was arrested early this morning for disorderly conduct. Mike Elko has now since addressed the incident regarding his team’s leading rusher last fall. Elko has shared a statement about Moss this afternoon. It was a straightforward one at this time as the Aggies are aware of the matter and intend […]

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Texas A&M RB Le’Veon Moss was arrested early this morning for disorderly conduct. Mike Elko has now since addressed the incident regarding his team’s leading rusher last fall.

Elko has shared a statement about Moss this afternoon. It was a straightforward one at this time as the Aggies are aware of the matter and intend to handle it within the program at A&M.

“We are aware of the situation regarding Le’Veon Moss and will handle the matter internally,” said Elko per Carter Karels at GigEm247.

KBTX in College Station reported on the arrest this morning that took place around 1 a.m. CT. Moss was apparently involved in an argument where he was threatening and “speaking aggressively” someone else. After attempts were made by law enforcement and those in his party to calm him, Moss, as well as someone else with him at the time, were placed under arrest. No other details are known at this time of what caused the incident to begin with. That all comes per KBTX’s Rusty Surett.

Moss has spent the past three seasons with the Aggies. He, in 25 appearances in his career at the school, has 244 carries for 1,363 yards, at 54.5 yards per game and 5.6 per attempt, and 16 touchdowns when rushing. That includes what was a career-best season for him in nine starts last fall as a junior where he had 121 carries for 765 yards, averaging 85 a game and 6.3 per carry, and 10 scores, making him their leading rusher and a selection to the All-SEC Second Team. However, he had a season-ending injury in a loss on November 2nd at South Carolina which kept him out of their final four games.

More could come on this matter at SEC Media Days this week with Texas A&M to be the final team on the schedule with their appearance being last on Thursday. This was pretty clear by Elko, though, with the Aggies likely to only say so much on Moss’ arrest as they handle it themselves internally.



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Kentucky’s interest in 4-star 2026 PF Cam Williams “starting to pick up”

Kentucky men’s basketball is looking to land its first 2026 commitment, but there are plenty of options out there still regularly hearing from the Wildcats. A new name to monitor is four-star power forward Cam Williams (no, not the Kam Williams already on Kentucky’s current roster). The 6-foot-11 prospect out of Arizona is considered the […]

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Kentucky men’s basketball is looking to land its first 2026 commitment, but there are plenty of options out there still regularly hearing from the Wildcats.

A new name to monitor is four-star power forward Cam Williams (no, not the Kam Williams already on Kentucky’s current roster). The 6-foot-11 prospect out of Arizona is considered the No. 16 overall rising high school senior in the country, according to On3. He spoke with KSR at the adidas 3SSB Championships in Rock Hill, SC, on Friday to talk about the Wildcats’ recent push in his recruitment.

“It’s good, it’s starting to pick up,” Williams said of his communication with UK. “Couple days ago, I talked to Coach Mark Pope over the phone, he FaceTimed me, and we just had a good talk, we got to know each other and he was telling me about Kentucky and all that stuff.”

“(Pope) wanted to see where my mindset was on recruiting and if I was still open,” Williams added. “He was just trying to get to know me and my family.”

Kentucky has not extended an offer to Williams (the only school he’s still considering yet to do so), but a connection is quickly forming. Pope, along with assistant coach Jason Hart, have been ramping up the contact since they watched Williams play in Iowa during the second 3SSB session back in May. Hart was the first one to speak with him, even talking with Williams’ coaches and parents, and their relationship has been growing ever since.

Pope has been paying extra close attention to Williams’ games in Rock Hill, SC, this week since college coaches were allowed in the gym starting Thursday. Suiting up for Compton Magic alongside top-five 2027 prospect Bruce Branch III — also a Kentucky target — Williams has noticed Pope watching from the baseline.

“It means a lot, you know?” Williams said of UK coaches coming to his games. “A lot of coaches are here for me, but the biggest thing for me is communication, and they’re starting to pick that up.”

As of right now, Williams has official visits locked in with Purdue, Texas, Duke, and Arizona for September and October. Southern California and North Carolina are also on his radar. A trip to Lexington has not been scheduled, but he says Kentucky coaches have talked about it happening down the road. Williams plans to take his recruitment into next spring with plans of making a decision after his senior season ends.

Want more Kentucky Basketball intel? Join KSR Plus for access to bonus content and KSBoard, KSR’s message board, to chat with fellow Cats fans and get exclusive scoop.





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Kentucky men’s basketball is halfway through summer practices

Four weeks down, four weeks to go… Kentucky men’s basketball has officially hit the halfway point of summer practices. According to NCAA rules, college programs are allowed eight total weeks (capped at eight hours per week) of weight training and on-court skill instruction during the summer semester. Only four hours per week can be dedicated […]

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Four weeks down, four weeks to go…

Kentucky men’s basketball has officially hit the halfway point of summer practices. According to NCAA rules, college programs are allowed eight total weeks (capped at eight hours per week) of weight training and on-court skill instruction during the summer semester. Only four hours per week can be dedicated to on-court practice sessions.

With the “Blue Summer” already at the halfway point, the video team over at UK provided us with some more offseason content. One clip is a highlight reel of what’s been happening during practice at the Joe Craft Center, with a Mark Pope pep talk played over the videos. The second clip is labeled “lights out” as several Wildcats show off their shooting stroke. Collin Chandler hitting a jumper with the No. 9 banner in the background is perfect cinema. And finally, the third clip — “no regard for gravity” — is nothing but dunk after dunk after dunk.

Watch all three videos below to satisfy your basketball craving. Kentucky’s 2025-26 season isn’t too far off…

Join KSR Plus! With a KSR Plus membership, you get access to bonus content and KSBoard, KSR’s message board, to chat with fellow Cats fans and get exclusive scoop.





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NIL Deals Getting Rejected Already By New College Sports Commission

The purge of mostly fake NIL agreements has already begun PublishedJuly 13, 2025 7:56 PM EDT•UpdatedJuly 13, 2025 7:57 PM EDT Facebook Twitter Email Copy Link Things are changing quickly in the name, image and likeness world, thanks to the new College Sports Commission. This week, that new agency sent out a lengthy letter to […]

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The purge of mostly fake NIL agreements has already begun

Things are changing quickly in the name, image and likeness world, thanks to the new College Sports Commission.

This week, that new agency sent out a lengthy letter to schools informing them that the commission had rejected a number of agreements between recruits or players and the NIL collectives that have proliferated throughout college football in recent years. Those NIL collectives had previously operated with little oversight or interference, allowing them to funnel money to key players on behalf of their associated schools.

Part of the new House-approved settlement, though, created this commission to evaluate NIL deals moving forward. And they’re already making their presence felt.

RELATED: House Settlement Approved, College Athletics Undergo Massive Change

College Sports Commission Shuts Down Invalid NIL Deals

Some of these arrangements, per the commission, have no “valid business purpose” and, according to a new Associated Press report, “don’t adhere to rules that call for outside NIL deals to be between players and companies that provide goods or services to the general public for profit.”

The new ruling is expected to lead to several collectives permanently shutting down, as schools will now pay players directly, and the “fake” NIL agreements will be under stricter scrutiny. 

A number of them have already closed, with those supporting programs like Georgia, Colorado, Alabama and Notre Dame announcing plans to shut down. Some of those schools have made deals with Learfield to make legitimate NIL arrangements.

Roughly 1,500 deals have been cleared in the month or so since the NIL Go system started, with financial figures ranging from “three figures to seven figures.”  Many others though, were denied because they did not fit with the new “valid business purpose” required standard. 

“In other words, NIL collectives may act as marketing agencies that match student-athletes with businesses that have a valid business purpose and seek to use the student’s NIL to promote their businesses,” the memo explained.

How this impacts schools that have maximized NIL collective-based recruiting, like say, Texas A&M, remains to be seen. But things are rapidly changing in college football. As they always do.





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