NIL
Disney CEO Bob Iger says Comcast
Disney CEO Bob Iger during an appearance on “Squawk on the Street” said the company paying Comcast $439M to finally complete the sale of its 33% stake in Hulu is the “first big step in the direction of turning this into a real growth business for the company.” Iger said Disney is now “focused on […]


Disney CEO Bob Iger during an appearance on “Squawk on the Street” said the company paying Comcast $439M to finally complete the sale of its 33% stake in Hulu is the “first big step in the direction of turning this into a real growth business for the company.” Iger said Disney is now “focused on doing what we intended to do once we gain full control of this.” Iger: “That’s basically to put these apps together seamlessly, to create an experience for the consumer that’s easier to use, easier to buy, to increase engagement, to lower churn, to grow subs, and ultimately to consolidate more and to save some money in terms of the operation.” He said after two years, they decided the “best course” was to buy Hulu “in its entirety” and “hold on” to the linear TV networks and integrate them with the streaming business. Iger: “What we’ve determined is the combination of both is actually a winning combination for us.” He added, “These spinoff companies won’t have the assets from a streaming perspective that we will have” (“Squawk on the Street”, CNBC, 6/10).
NIL
Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith signs an NIL deal with adidas, but will wear Nikes in games
Look, we get it. Your days are busy and you don’t have time to read all of the stories and tweets from the three dozen websites dedicated to covering Ohio State athletics, or the 237 Buckeye beat writers churning out hot takes and #content on a daily basis. But that’s ok, that’s what your friends […]

Look, we get it. Your days are busy and you don’t have time to read all of the stories and tweets from the three dozen websites dedicated to covering Ohio State athletics, or the 237 Buckeye beat writers churning out hot takes and #content on a daily basis. But that’s ok, that’s what your friends at Land-Grant Holy Land are here for.
Monday through Friday, we’ll be collecting all of the articles, tweets, features, interviews, videos, podcasts, memes, photos, and whatever else we stumble across on the interwebz and putting them in our daily “Why is this News?” article. That way, you’ll have a one-stop shop for all of the most important Buckeye news, jokes, and analysis.
You’re welcome!
For your Earholes…
Subscribe to the Land-Grant Podcast Network for all of your Ohio State needs
Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio
On the Gridiron
Football: Training Camp Tickets are On Sale NOW
Ohio State Athletics
Jeremiah Smith signs with Adidas but can’t wear its shoes during games
Bill Rabinowitz, The Columbus Dispatch
Burning Questions: Is Ryan Day finally going to get over his Michigan block?
Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land
Championship in pocket, Ryan Day ready to claim next major prize at Ohio State
Austin Ward, Lettermen Row
Burning Question: Has the Ohio State-Michigan game lost some of its importance?
Brett Ludwiczak, Land-Grant Holy Land
‘More organized’ James Laurinaitis still learning, growing in role as Buckeyes LB coach
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row
On the Hardwood
Ohio State’s returning starters discuss loyalty, position changes
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch
Outside the Shoe and Schott
Women’s Lacrosse: Carrasquillo Joins Ohio State Staff
Ohio State Athletics
From Eruwa to male athlete of the year: Michael Adedokun’s Rise at Ohio State
Jack Diwik, The Lantern
Webster’s Unmatched Journey: Two Sports, Countless Honors, One Impactful Buckeye
Reilly Cahill, The Lantern
And now for something completely different…
Yeah, this is super messed up…
NIL
Rhule Turns NFL Playbook into NIL Advantage at Nebraska
Off the field, Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule is channeling his NFL roots into a clever playbook for modern college football. With the transfer portal wide open and NIL dollars flowing fast, Rhule is treating name, image, and likeness agreements much like NFL contracts. In a recent discussion with Greg McElroy on the Always College […]

Off the field, Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule is channeling his NFL roots into a clever playbook for modern college football. With the transfer portal wide open and NIL dollars flowing fast, Rhule is treating name, image, and likeness agreements much like NFL contracts.
In a recent discussion with Greg McElroy on the Always College Football podcast, Rhule pointed out how his professional experience is becoming Nebraska’s secret weapon in the NIL era.
Rhule’s NFL tenure may not have ended with a Super Bowl ring, but the lessons he learned in roster management, cap strategy, and player valuation stuck with him.
On the podcast, he emphasized how the NFL forces teams to weigh each player’s contract value, even when every athlete on the roster is talented: “I think the biggest thing you learn when you’re in the NFL is really evaluation. Before, in college football, it was like, ‘Yeah, he’s a good player, let’s offer him, let’s take him.’ You get to the NFL, they’re all good players. It’s just, ‘Hey, what’s the financial value we put on this person and put on this position?’ Every year in the NFL, you go through free agency, and you see teams walking away from it with really good players because of their contract situations.”
That mindset couldn’t be more relevant as college programs flush with NIL dollars face the “bid wars” in both signing new players and holding onto current ones. Rhule sees the danger of impulsive NIL spending that empties the coffers quickly. He also mentioned leaving gaps down the roster. Instead, he’s brought in a pro-leaning discipline. With that, he can evaluate each NIL offer like an NFL front office would, always asking whether the long-term value matches the cost.
Rhule pulled another trick from the NFL handbook, which was mostly saving money for future opportunities. While college programs can’t roll over NIL funds like NFL salary caps, the principle remains the same to avoid blowing your budget so you have freedom later.
He said, “Now there’s differences. You can’t carry money over. The smart teams in the NFL carry money over and position themselves through the years. But that discipline, I think, is something that’s really, really unique. It’s hard because you get to know the players. You want to take care of everybody.”
To keep things sharp, Rhule has a trusted NFL veteran advising behind the scenes. He boasted of his ace up my sleeve, “I brought in Pat Stewart, who spent a long time with the Eagles, Panthers, and also with the Patriots for most of his career. Having that set of eyes is really discipline. That’s going to be the key.”
Stewart’s pro-level insight ensures each NIL commitment feeds into the team’s overarching strategy. Whether it’s filling immediate gaps, securing key contributors, or saving room for future portal stars.
That’s a Smart Edge in a Chaotic Game
While other schools might go all-in on flashy NIL offers to chase a high-profile transfer, Nebraska is playing the long game. Especially to build sustainable depth, preserve flexibility, and treat every dollar like a cap hit. This mindset earns trust both inside and out.
Rhule believes this kind of structure could be key to bringing balance back to college football. “College football has been dominated by who can aggregate all the good players,” he said. “And hopefully a salary cap, if it holds, which I hope it does, hopefully that will allow for more parity and let the best teams win.”
The ripple effects show up on the field, too. When players believe they’re part of a fair, stable system, they stick around. Retention becomes less about chasing the highest NIL paycheck and more about loyalty to a plan and teammates. For Nebraska, having a sturdy, cohesive unit year after year could be the difference between a winning season and a championship run.
Stay up to date on all things Huskers by bookmarking Nebraska Cornhuskers On SI, subscribing to HuskerMax on YouTube, and visiting HuskerMax.com daily.
NIL
Ex-Georgia Guard Kenny Gaines Discusses NIL’s Harsh Reality, Despite Massive Paydays
College sports have changed a lot in the last few years. Now, athletes can earn money from their NIL. Former Georgia Bulldogs basketball player Kenny Gaines recently talked about how this new system is not as simple as it seems. While some players make a lot of money, others face tough choices and new challenges. […]

College sports have changed a lot in the last few years. Now, athletes can earn money from their NIL. Former Georgia Bulldogs basketball player Kenny Gaines recently talked about how this new system is not as simple as it seems.
While some players make a lot of money, others face tough choices and new challenges. Understanding these changes helps us see how college sports are different today and why it matters for players, coaches, and fans.

Ex-Georgia Hooper Kenny Gaines Shares Experiences With NIL Changes
Kenny Gaines, who played for the Georgia Bulldogs from 2012-2016, spoke about the big changes in college sports on the “Dawg Talk” podcast. He was joined by former teammates Marcus Thornton, J Mac, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and NBA player Jabari Smith Jr.
They talked about how college athletes now must think about making money and building their personal brand, not just playing basketball. Gaines said a coach once told him that today’s NIL world is much different from what it was just a few years ago.
Smith, who started college right when NIL rules changed, said, “You missed the NIL era. Mine was the first year of it, but it wasn’t nowhere [sic] near like this.” Smith explained that when he played, he had a car deal, but the deals now are much bigger and more common.
Smith also pointed out that players need to be good if they want to make money. “If you’re not good, you’re not making no [sic] money,” he said. This means that how well you play and how popular you are both matter a lot now.
Thornton added that players today expect to get six-figure deals even before they prove themselves. “Three hundred thousand is like low. That’s what they asking for… and that’s the water boy.”
This shows how much money some college athletes can get now, even if they are not the top stars. According to ESPN, some top college basketball teams spend over $10 million on NIL deals for their players. Some athletes have earned more than $1 million in a single year, especially at big schools.
During the podcast, the group talked about how some coaches struggle to get their players to promote products. One assistant coach told Gaines she could not get her players to do ads because “they’re getting 300 out the gate.” Gaines was surprised by this, saying, “I was like, say listen, I won’t be here.”
Thornton also said, “An eight-point per game player is getting almost a million dollars in college basketball right now.” While not every player earns that much, it is true that NIL deals have grown quickly, and some players who are not superstars can still get big paydays.
RELATED: How EA Sports College Football 2025 Paved the Way for a New College Basketball Game
For Gaines, these changes were hard to believe. He felt that the loyalty and hard work that used to be important in college basketball have been replaced by players looking for the best money.
“Dude, you my age… but still went to the transfer portal. Who got the bag? That’s what it is,” he said. Many players now choose schools that offer the most money, not just the best fit for them.
Since 2021, when the NCAA allowed NIL deals, the number of players transferring to new schools has gone up a lot. In 2025, more than 2,000 men’s college basketball players entered the transfer portal, which is about 35 percent of all Division I players. Many of them are looking for better deals and more chances to play.
The NIL policy was meant to help student-athletes, but it has also made college sports more competitive and focused on money. For former players like Gaines, the game looks very different now. Players, coaches, and fans all have to adjust to this new world, where talent, popularity, and business are all connected.
NIL
Understanding North Carolina's new NIL law on public records, athlete contracts, and agent …
The new NIL law-relating to name, image, and likeness-has been passed, allowing college athletes to receive compensation for the use of what is described under the statute. On July 2, sports attorney Darren Heitner shared on X: “North Carolina’s governor has signed a bill into law that includes a public records exemption for #NIL contracts.” […]


The new NIL law-relating to name, image, and likeness-has been passed, allowing college athletes to receive compensation for the use of what is described under the statute.
On July 2, sports attorney Darren Heitner shared on X: “North Carolina’s governor has signed a bill into law that includes a public records exemption for #NIL contracts.”
“Tiger Mom” Erupts in LSU Fan Brawl While Coastal Coaches Ejected in CWS Chaos
A newly added provision in General Statute 132-1.2 formalized a significant change. Specifically, Part VIII of the bill introduces a “Public Records Exemption for Certain Name, Image, and Likeness Contracts,” meaning certain NIL agreements are now officially protected from public disclosure.
Under the confidential information section, the law states: “Nothing in this Chapter shall be construed to require it authorize a public agency or its subdivision to disclose any information that: Reveals records related to a student athlete’s name, image, and likeness contract.” This change means that the public, the media, and even oversight agencies will no longer have access to information on how NIL funds are managed or distributed at state-funded institutions.
What is even more surprising is that the exemption applies retroactively. Lawmakers inserted this modification just two months after the bill was initially introduced-catching even legal experts off guard. David McKenzie, a local attorney who specializes in First Amendment and Intellectual Property law, did not hold back in sharing his perspective: “It’s a way to erode the public records law to death,” he told a local newspaper.
His primary concern lies in the inconsistency: while coaching salaries and compensation for other state employees remain public, NIL earnings-often backed by donors or university collectives-now vanish into an informational “black hole.” McKenzie added, “I don’t think this is a situation where FERPA [Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act] applies.”
Further pressing the issue, McKenzie said: “It was tacked on at the last minute [and] public resources, in the form of taxpayer money, are going to find these NIL deals, either directly or indirectly.” He argued that people need access to information on agreements worth millions of dollars. The law passed unanimously in the state House, with 111 votes in favor and zero against.
It’s now crucial that athletes fully understand what they are signing. In a follow-up post, Darren Heitner added: “North Carolina is now also 1 of the few states to update its sports agent law to account for #NIL’s role in college athletics. It distinguishes a pro sports services agency contract from an NIL agency contract and requires different language in each agreement.”
According to the bill, professional sports agency contracts must include the following warnings:
- You shall lose your eligibility to compete as a student-athlete in your sport;
- If you have an athletic director, within 72 hours after entering into this contract, both you and your athlete agent must notify your athletic director;
- You waive your attorney-client privilege with respect to this contract and certain information related to it; and
- You may cancel this contract within 14 days after signing it, cancellation of this contract shall not reinstate your eligibility.
An NIL agency contract must also state: “Entering into an NIL contract that conflicts with State law or your institution’s policies may have negative consequences, such as loss of athletic eligibility. You may cancel this NIL agency contract within 14 days after signing it.”
As for agents, they are now required to:
- Alert a student-athlete’s AD before the next game or within 72 hours of any deal;
- Avoid giving gifts or misleading prospects;
- Maintain five years of detailed records: names, addresses, contracts, and costs.
Everyone involved must now be prepared, with documentation in hand should it be required. Agents will face greater scrutiny, and athletes will find themselves in the middle. Who really stands to benefit from this law remains to be seen.
NIL
Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith signs NIL deal with Adidas
by Stuart Osborne, WSYX Thu, July 3rd 2025 at 8:51 AM Updated Thu, July 3rd 2025 at 9:02 AM Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates his touchdown against Oregon during the first half in the quarterfinals of the Rose Bowl College Football Playoff, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. […]

Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates his touchdown against Oregon during the first half in the quarterfinals of the Rose Bowl College Football Playoff, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
NIL
Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith signs somewhat surprising NIL shoe deal
Shoe allegiances can run almost as deep as a favorite college football program. When you can marry the two together, perhaps in charge of marketing may have something special. That appears to be the case with Ohio State star receiver Jeremiah Smith and Adidas, because according to a social media post on Tuesday, it appears […]

Shoe allegiances can run almost as deep as a favorite college football program. When you can marry the two together, perhaps in charge of marketing may have something special.
That appears to be the case with Ohio State star receiver Jeremiah Smith and Adidas, because according to a social media post on Tuesday, it appears as though Smith has signed an NIL deal with the popular sports apparel company based in Germany. And if you are like many of us, the fact that it’s not with Nike (the apparel company that sponsors Ohio State) might be a little suprising.
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But hey, this is what NIL is for, right? Athletes are able to enter their own partnerships with companies to take advantage of their star power, and kudos to Adidas for recognizing what Smith can be for them as a public figure and spokesperson. Of course, we don’t know the terms of the deal and probably never will, but if you are a Smith and Ohio State fan, now you have conflicting priorities.
One has to wonder what kind of cleats Smith will be wearing when he runs out of the tunnel on Aug. 30. Somewhere, there has to be contract language that spells out how this whole thing is going to work. And maybe, just maybe, down the line we’ll get to see some Jeremiah Smith Adidas cleats we can all get our hands on.
Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.
This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith signs surprising NIL shoe deal
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