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On July 1, 2021, the NCAA implemented an interim policy that enabled student athletes to earn money via their name, image and likeness. This move led to fans around the country turning eyes to how the landscapes of college football and basketball may change, but hockey was largely ignored. That ignorance has continued with the […]

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On July 1, 2021, the NCAA implemented an interim policy that enabled student athletes to earn money via their name, image and likeness. This move led to fans around the country turning eyes to how the landscapes of college football and basketball may change, but hockey was largely ignored.

That ignorance has continued with the House v. NCAA proposed settlement centered around revenue sharing. If approved, Division I schools are officially permitted to share athletic department earnings with student athletes starting in the 2025-26 academic year.

This move favors Big Ten teams — specifically in college hockey. Coveted puck programs such as Boston College, Denver and Boston University need to rely on their historic names and image to recruit high-end talent, while Big Ten programs can now sign off on a check to lure a top-tier prospect its way.

As big-time football and basketball universities such as Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State funnel in a plethora of NIL and revenue due to consistent success, that money can be allocated into other sports, and it’s already been rumored to find its way onto the ice.

Just last week, the Nittany Lions were speculated to be getting aggressive with NIL packages to Canadian Hockey League (CHL) recruits. This was headlined by a report offering a deal north of $250,000 to projected top six 2025 NHL entry draft pick and Ontario Hockey League (OHL) winger Porter Martone, according to Philadelphia Flyers beat writer Will James.

With Gabriel Foley, another NHL reporter, confirming hearing a dollar figure near the 250,000 mark mentioned by James, that only means one thing: the Big Ten might take over college hockey.







Men's Hockey vs Uconn, Guy Gadowsky

Penn State men’s hockey head coach Guy Gadowsky celebrates following the win at the NCAA Regional Finals against Uconn on Sunday, March 30, 2025 in the PPL Center in Allentown, Pa. The Nittany Lions beat the Huskies 3-2. 




The effects of NIL

NIL has quickly taken center stage in NCAA Division I hockey following a monumental rule change made in early Nov. 2024 allowing CHL athletes to sign with NCAA teams.

Some of the best hockey players and prospects in the world play in the CHL, but prior to the new precedent announced several months ago, they were not allowed to step foot in the NCAA.

To put it into context, 14 CHL players were selected in the first round of the 2024 NHL entry draft, compared to just three collegiate hockey players hearing their names called. 

These athletes who were committed to play in the CHL were deemed professionals and barred from the NCAA due to its amateurism rules, which were in part due to them signing NHL entry-level contracts.

With eligibility for the NHL draft requiring participants to be between the ages 18-20, many prospects are selected prior to their decision on whether to play in the CHL or the NCAA. This rule change now allows top-tier prospects who currently play in the CHL to transition to college puck, and a majority of them will be lured over with NIL money.

As schools like Michigan, Michigan State and Minnesota have dominated college hockey for the past 77 years, the loads of NIL money they have available will only make them more daunting for the rest of the country.

With the initial revenue sharing cap per school sitting tentatively at around $20.5 million per year, that opens many doors for Big Ten programs. Minnesota’s men’s hockey team reportedly accounts for 5.1% of athletic department revenue, meaning it has roughly $1,054,020 to spend on players. This is somewhat the case for Penn State, which is estimated to have approximately $394,839 available, ranking fourth-most among NCAA programs.







Men's hockey vs. Minnesota, Cerrato face-off

Forward Charlie Cerrato (15) battles for the puck in a face-off during the Penn State men’s hockey game against Minnesota in Pegula Ice Arena on Saturday, Mar. 1, 2025 in University Park, Pa. The Gophers beat the Nittany Lions 5-3.




Is this good for college hockey?

While many immediately look at the possibility of Big Ten teams taking over the sport and deem it as a negative, there is a different perspective to take on this situation — NIL will grow NCAA hockey.

Considering CHL players are not paid a salary but receive stipends and a countless amount of benefits, NIL and revenue sharing can handsomely compensate these athletes and draw an influx of them to college hockey. The substantial increase in talent, even if a majority of it lies in the Big Ten, will increase ratings and grow the sport exponentially.

With top-tier NHL prospects committing to the NCAA instead of the CHL, it will bring an entire new crowd to the sport. Additionally, as more elite talent comes and goes through the NCAA, more television package deals with well-known networks will follow, increasing the revenue for college hockey and putting it on the map.

One of the major NIL contributors gaining traction has been Penn State. After its Frozen Four run last season, more highly-touted athletes have been rumored to join Hockey Valley. This began just four days following the Nittany Lions’ loss to Boston University with the addition of goaltender and former fifth-round NHL draft pick Kevin Reidler.

Weeks later, another domino fell for the blue and white. Penn State received a commitment from Luke Misa, a top-line center previously on the Brampton Steelheads of the OHL. Since his commitment, premier NHL prospects have been reported as possibilities, with the most notable being Martone and Luke Misa’s brother, Michael Misa.

Whether the Nittany Lions land NHL-caliber talent or not, they now maintain the resources to attract top players away from some of the most storied college hockey programs.

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Penn State men's hockey's first two opponents for 2025-26 season released

Penn State’s first two opponents for the 2025-26 season have been released.

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Duke football among top 25 highest-rated schools

The team ratings have been revealed for EA Sports’ College Football 26, and the Duke football program is towards the top of the list. The Blue Devils were given a team rating of 84, ranked as the 23rd-highest team in the game. SMU, Tennessee, Missouri, and Auburn were also given 84 team ratings upon the […]

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The team ratings have been revealed for EA Sports’ College Football 26, and the Duke football program is towards the top of the list. The Blue Devils were given a team rating of 84, ranked as the 23rd-highest team in the game. SMU, Tennessee, Missouri, and Auburn were also given 84 team ratings upon the release.

The Blue Devils, along with SMU, are the third-highest rated programs out of the Atlantic Coast Conference in the game. Clemson leads the way out of the ACC with a rating of 88, followed by Miami at 86.

EA Sports also released the top 25 offensive and defensive team ratings. Duke didn’t make the mark offensively, but was awarded the 16th-highest defensive team rating with an 88. This comes off a 2024 season where Manny Diaz’s group was one of the top defensive units in the nation, finishing second in the nation in tackles for loss (116), fourth in the nation in sacks (43), and 26th nationally in third-down conversion percentage (33.8). The Blue Devils are looking to build on that stellar defense in year two under Diaz after returning some of their top contributors from a season ago, most notably rising senior cornerback Chandler Rivers, who is viewed as one of the top returning secondary pieces in college football this upcoming season.

Now, Duke didn’t eclipse the top 25 mark offensively, but there’s a chance that offensive coordinator Jonathan Brewer can make some magic happen with his rebuilt core. Duke added stud transfer quarterback Darian Mensah from Tulane, who’s poised for a breakout redshirt sophomore campaign after signing a monster two-year, $8 million NIL contract with the program. Duke is also bringing back rising sophomore receiver Que’Sean Brown, who should be one of the most improved wide receivers out of the ACC after coming onto the scene midway through his freshman year.

The Duke program has pressure mounting on it to perform this season after a successful first year with Diaz at the helm, mixed with the huge investment the program made in its quarterback. Despite only being viewed as a middle-of-the-pack ACC team heading into the 2025 campaign, the Blue Devils are looking to push for their first ACC Championship since 1989.



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Texas A&M Commit Joins Fellow WRs With Unique NIL Deal

The NIL era of college sports is simply fascinating. Less than a decade ago, the thought of high school athletes being able to profit off of NIL seemed unfathomable. Now, though, it’s commonplace, and a Texas A&M Aggies commit is getting in on the fun. Madden Williams – a four-star wide receiver from St. John […]

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The NIL era of college sports is simply fascinating. Less than a decade ago, the thought of high school athletes being able to profit off of NIL seemed unfathomable. Now, though, it’s commonplace, and a Texas A&M Aggies commit is getting in on the fun.

Madden Williams – a four-star wide receiver from St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower, Calif. – has signed an NIL deal with Adidas as part of the Adizero Class of 2025, with “an emphasis on speed,” according to On3. He’s one of five wideouts in the class, joining Tristen Keys (LSU commit), Chris Henry Jr. (Ohio State), Calvin Russell and Kayden Dixon-Wyatt (Ohio State). Linebacker Tyler Atkinson is the lone non-receiver in the group.

As part of the program, Williams will participate in various campaigns throughout the year and represent the Adidas brand throughout his senior season. He, along with several other players in this class, signed with Adidas last year as part of the Adizero 7 roster.

Williams, the No. 32 receiver in the class according to On3’s rankings, is far from the only Aggie to sign a big NIL deal recently. Last month, quarterback Marcel Reed signed a unique NIL deal with private jet company ENG Aviation Group, and will help educate the public on organ donation.

“I’m really excited to team up with ENG Aviation,” Reed said in a statement. “It’s an honor to work with a local Texas company that’s doing something so important—helping save lives through organ donation. Their mission to save lives is something I wanted to join in on, and for us, this isn’t just a sponsorship—it’s a chance to make a real difference together, and I’m all in.”

Wide receiver KC Concepcion, who transferred in from NC State this offseason, has also reportedly earned $2.5 million in NIL money from brands such as Topps and Fanatics.

Williams has drawn praise from scouts for his route running and ability to make contested catches, putting his height of 6-foot-2 to good use. He’s not the fastest receiver in the world, but he more than makes up for that in other areas of his game.

The Aggies’ 2026 recruiting class currently ranks fourth in the country in On3’s rankings, and features three four-star wide receivers. In addition to Williams, they also have Aaron Gregory from Georgia and Mike Brown from Houston.



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The Clemson Insider

CLEMSON — The NCAA vs House Settlement will go into effect on Tuesday, July 1, signaling a new era for college athletics. The settlement is supposed to mark a significant shift, formally ending the NCAA’s long-standing amateurism model and allowing for direct payment to athletes. The settlement calls for damages to former athletes, too, as the […]

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CLEMSON — The NCAA vs House Settlement will go into effect on Tuesday, July 1, signaling a new era for college athletics. The settlement is supposed to mark a significant shift, formally ending the NCAA’s long-standing amateurism model and allowing for direct payment to athletes.

The settlement calls for damages to former athletes, too, as the NCAA, along with the SEC, Big Ten, ACC, Big 12 and the Pac 12 agreed to pay $2.8 billion in damages to former athletes who were prevented from earning compensation for their name, image and likeness (NIL) prior to 2021. This will be paid out over the next 10 years.

Starting on Tuesday, Division I schools that opt-in to the settlement can directly compensate student-athletes up to a revenue-sharing cap, initially set at $20.5 million per school. This cap is expected to increase annually.

The settlement also dealt with NIL rule modifications, as the NCAA can still restrict NIL payments from school-associated entities like booster collectives, while other third parties can enter NIL deals with student-athletes. These deals must be reported and approved by the school as part of a fair-market value.

However, the last part of the settlement might take a hit thanks to Friday’s United States Supreme Court ruling in the Trump v. CASA, Inc., case. This ruling primarily addressed the use of nationwide injunctions, a legal tool lower courts had used to block some of President Donald Trump’s policies. 

The ruling against nationwide injunctions affects the NCAA because many such injunctions have been granted against its rules in recent years, particularly in cases involving NIL. For example, a Tennessee federal district court had previously issued a nationwide injunction preventing the NCAA from enforcing its NIL rules.

While the House settlement aims for stability, potential future conflicts could arise, particularly related to Title IX and how revenue is distributed between male and female athletes.

Twelve female athletes are in the process of appealing the House settlement, which was finalized on June 6. The women are arguing the structure of damages payments violates Title IX’s gender equity statute.

On June 11, CBS Sports reported eight athletes have signed onto the motion to appeal and at least six of whom were women that played at the College of Charleston. Two others are from Vanderbilt and Virginia.

Despite the appeals, the NCAA is optimistic the settlement ruling by Judge Claudia Wilken will be upheld.

As CBS Sports reported, the House settlement used a formula to determine how to distribute money. Football and men’s basketball athletes who received full scholarships at Power Five schools from June 15, 2016, to Sept. 15, 2024, are set to receive 90 percent of the more than $2 billion settlement. Women’s basketball athletes will receive 5 percent, and all other athletes will split the remaining 5 percent. 

The female athletes filing the appeal are part of the third class. Most played volleyball or soccer at their respective schools.

Wilken wrote in the settlement approval that there’s nothing in the settlement itself that forces schools to contradict Title IX. She overruled objections that specifically claimed the settlement itself did not properly follow Title IX.

Instead, the settlement left the defining of Title IX compliance up to the schools and governing bodies.



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LSU has earned title as college baseball’s premier program – Tar Heel Times

Posted Jun 28, 2025 On a hair dryer of a Sunday afternoon in the town that every June becomes de facto Baton Rouge North, the LSU Tigers didn’t merely win a Men’s CWS national championship. Nor was it merely their eighth overall. The title they really won was that of […]

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On a hair dryer of a Sunday afternoon in the town that every June becomes de facto Baton Rouge North, the LSU Tigers didn’t merely win a Men’s CWS national championship. Nor was it merely their eighth overall. The title they really won was that of Greatest Ever College Baseball Program. “This city feels like home to us,” said former LSU coach Skip Bertman.
(ESPN.com)

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One year ahead of the Pac-12 officially adding six new members, the rebuilt conference has secured a deal to make CBS its top media rights…

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The most well-known aspect of the House legal settlement, whose terms will become the college sports world’s revolutionary new framework on July 1, is that…

LSU has earned title as college baseball's premier program




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Two Colorado freshman to appear in EA Sports’ College Football 26

In the NIL era, players relish the opportunities they receive to make a profit off their name, but there is one deal that might trump any other. That is the ability to play as yourself in a video game, or more specifically, EA Sports’ latest installment, College Football 2026. Advertisement On Friday, incoming Colorado freshmen […]

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In the NIL era, players relish the opportunities they receive to make a profit off their name, but there is one deal that might trump any other.

That is the ability to play as yourself in a video game, or more specifically, EA Sports’ latest installment, College Football 2026.

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On Friday, incoming Colorado freshmen London Merritt and Mantrez Walker announced they’ll be in the soon-to-be-released game. The edge rusher and linebacker confirmed that their name, image and likeness will be included in the game, marking another milestone in their young careers.

EA Sports brought back the popular college football franchise last year to widespread excitement from fans and players alike, eager to jump back into the game. New to this year’s addition, all 136 Football Bowl Subdivision schools will be paid by EA Sports based on the frequency with which gamers play with their respective team. Real-life coaches are also being added to the game this year.

Merritt and Walker are both Georgia natives, with Merritt being a blue-chip prospect once committed to Ohio State. Merritt appears to have significant potential with the Buffs, who lost several key pieces to their defensive line, most notably star defensive end BJ Green.

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Walker was a three-star prospect who has been with the Buffs for most of the offseason, but he projects as a likely depth piece entering his freshman season.

Follow Charlie Strella on X, Threads and Instagram.

Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.

This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: London Merritt, Mantrez Walker in EA Sports’ College Football 26





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Louisville basketball 2025

Louisville basketball’s 2025-26 roster appears set now that the NCAA has granted Aly Khalifa’s appeal for an additional season of eligibility.Khalifa is one of the Cardinals’ five returners from Year 1 of the Pat Kelsey era.The seven newcomers include three Division I veterans from the NCAA transfer portal, three international signees and one highly touted […]

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Louisville basketball 2025


Louisville basketball’s 2025-26 roster appears set now that the NCAA has granted Aly Khalifa’s appeal for an additional season of eligibility.Khalifa is one of the Cardinals’ five returners from Year 1 of the Pat Kelsey era.The seven newcomers include three Division I veterans from the NCAA transfer portal, three international signees and one highly touted prospect from the high school ranks.Louisville basketball received some good news Friday, when it learned Aly Khalifa won his NCAA appeal for an additional season of eligibility.

With that, it appears as if the Cardinals’ roster for Year 2 of the Pat Kelsey era is set.

U of L returns five players from Kelsey’s inaugural campaign, during which the program reached the ACC Tournament championship game for the first time and ended a March Madness drought dating back to 2019. Its seven newcomers include three Division I veterans from the NCAA transfer portal, three international products and one highly touted prospect from the high school ranks.

Here’s a rundown of the scholarship players on the Cards’ 2025-26 roster, which is garnering sky-high expectations:

Mar 31, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; McDonald’s All American West guard Mikel Brown Jr. (11) shoots the ball during the Sprite Jam Fest at Barclay's Center. Mandatory Credit: Pamela Smith-Imagn Images

Mikel Brown Jr. is the 29th McDonald’s All-American in Louisville history. The 6-foot-3 product of DME Academy in Daytona Beach, Florida, ranks among the top 10 players in the Class of 2025, regardless of position, on the 247Sports Composite. In February, ESPN had the incoming freshman point guard as a lottery pick in its first mock 2026 NBA Draft.

Mouhamed Camara, a 20-year-old forward, has been honing his game at NBA Academy Africa since 2023. The 6-7 Senegal native reportedly averaged 10.6 points, seven rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.8 steals and 2.5 blocks across academy events over the past year. As of Friday, he was the only new addition who had not yet been introduced as a signee.

Jan 14, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Xavier Musketeers guard Ryan Conwell (7) celebrates with fans after defeating the Villanova Wildcats at the Cintas Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images

Louisville is Ryan Conwell‘s fourth school in as many years. The 6-4 guard from Indianapolis was Xavier’s second-best scorer in 2024-25, averaging 16.5 points on 45% shooting en route to third-team All-Big East honors. He led the Musketeers in made 3s (99) and attempts (240), good for a 41.3% clip, and also tallied 2.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists against 1.6 turnovers and 1.3 steals across 33 minutes per game.

Sananda Fru, a 6-11 forward, played in Germany’s top-flight Basketball Bundesliga from 2021-25. This season, the 21-year-old was named its Best Young German Player after averaging 12.3 points on 66% shooting with 6.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 29 games (28 starts) for Löwen Braunschweig.

Nov 28, 2024; Paradise Island, Bahamas, BHS; Louisville Cardinals guard J'Vonne Hadley (1) drives to the basket as West Virginia Mountaineers guard Toby Okani (5) defends during the first half at Imperial Arena at the Atlantis resort. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

 J’Vonne Hadley decided to run it back with Louisville after being granted an additional year of eligibility due to his time spent in the junior college ranks. The Minnesota native was the consummate glue guy for the Cards in 2024-25. He started all 35 games, led the team in rebounding (7.3), finished fourth in scoring (12.2) and punched above his 6-6 frame defensively.

Louisville center Aly Khalifa during Louisville Live at the KFC Yum! Center Friday night. Oct. 4, 2024

A deft passer, Khalifa led the Big 12 (and all DI bigs) with a 3.6 assist-turnover ratio in 2023-24 as a junior at BYU to go along with 5.7 points and 3.7 rebounds across 19.4 minutes per game. The 6-11 Egyptian sat out of the 2024-25 season to recover from surgery to repair a hole in the cartilage of his left knee and proceeded to lose 50 pounds with the help of strength coach Eli Foy.

Dec 18, 2024; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Virginia Cavaliers guard Isaac McKneely (11) is introduced prior to the Cavaliers' game against the Memphis Tigers at John Paul Jones Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Virginia transfer Isaac McKneely was the ACC’s most accurate 3-point shooter in 2024-25 with a clip of 42.1% (101 for 240). The 6-4 guard from Poca, West Virginia, led the Cavaliers in scoring with 14.4 points on 43.9% shooting to go along with 2.9 assists and 2.7 rebounds across 34 minutes per contest as a junior. For his career, he is 233 for 552 (42.2%) from beyond the arc.

Louisville Cardinals forward Kasean Pryor (7) flexes after a first half slam dunk against Spalding University in the Cards' second exhibition game at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky Monday, Oct. 28, 2024.

Kasean Pryor waited until the day the transfer portal closed to announce his return to Louisville for the 2025-26 season after a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee cut short his 2024-25 campaign in late November. Across seven appearances, the 6-10 forward from Chicago averaged 12 points on 36.8% shooting (5 for 33 from 3) with 6.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.1 blocks across 23 minutes per.

Louisville Cardinals guard Kobe Rodgers (11) makes a pass during practice before the first round of the 2025 NCAA men's basketball tournament In Lexington, Kentucky Wednesday, March 19, 2025.

Kobe Rodgers redshirted last season to recover from a knee injury he suffered during Charleston’s first-round loss to Alabama in the 2024 NCAA Tournament. In his first campaign playing for Kelsey, he averaged 9.7 points on 50% shooting with 4.6 rebounds, 1.2 steals and a 1.4 assist-turnover ratio. Before signing with the Cougars in 2023, the 6-3 guard from Cincinnati was part of a Nova Southeastern team that went 36-0 and won the DII national championship.

Louisville Cardinals forward Khani Rooths (9) goes for a shot against UTEP Miners forward Elijah Jones (33) during their game on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024 at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Ky.

The lone freshman on Louisville’s 2024-25 roster, Khani Rooths, showed flashes of potential throughout the season. The 6-8 forward from Washington, D.C., averaged only 3.3 points on 39.3% shooting and three rebounds across 13.4 minutes per game but threw down some of the most electrifying dunks of the campaign.

April 16, 2024; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Three members of the Paul W. Bryant High basketball team signed their letters to play college basketball Tuesday. Adrian Wooley, who signed to play at Kennesaw State, embraces his mother, LaTonya, as she cries tears of joy.

Kennesaw State transfer Adrian Wooley, the reigning Conference USA Freshman of the Year, had one of the most productive 2024-25 campaigns of any DI newcomer across the country. The 6-5 guard from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, finished the regular season ranked fifth among first-year players in scoring (18.5), sixth in field-goal percentage (51.3%) and 13th in assists (3.5) — with 5.2 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game to boot.

Evangelos “Vangelis” Zougris, 20, has spent the past four seasons playing for Peristeri B.C. in the Greek Basketball League. The 6-8 forward averaged 7.9 points on 68.5% shooting with 4.6 rebounds across 23 appearances during the 2024-25 campaign. He has also earned playing time on Greece’s senior national team, logging five games in the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers.

Reach Louisville men’s basketball reporter Brooks Holton at bholton@gannett.com and follow him on X at @brooksHolton.

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