NIL

How a conference call gave Texas’ new NIL bill a push through the Senate

MIRAMAR BEACH, Fla. (KBTX) – Well after sunlight ceased permeating the windows of the Texas Senate chamber Tuesday, Senator Brandon Creighton stood to, again, present a bill he had sponsored for debate. His message to fellow senators was as complicated as the issue the bill addresses, but there was a simple point distributed throughout — […]

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1 week ago

May 29, 2025

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His message to fellow senators was as complicated as the issue the bill addresses, but there was a simple point distributed throughout — if House Bill 126 doesn’t pass in the final week of this legislative session, college football in the state of Texas would, in essence, die.

Ultimately, a 30-1 vote sent the new name, image and likeness (NIL) compensation legislation through the Senate and to the desk of Gov. Greg Abbott to sign into law. To Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, president of the Senate, it was his colleges that performed CPR on college athletics in the state.

“The Senate saved college sports in Texas,” Patrick boasted from the dais before moving on to other business.

However, an 11th-hour conference call between senators, coaches and athletic directors provided the necessary last push to get the important bill over the finish line in the Senate chambers after two evenings of confusion and debate.

“It seems that a lot of the members wanted to vent their frustration with their concerns about college football and where this is going and paying the athletes and the change in the NCAA… A lot of members have concerns about the rich getting richer and the small guy doesn’t have a chance and it’s not going to be competitive,” Rep. Carl Tepper (R-District 84), the bill’s original author, told KBTX. “And so, we’re still not really sure where this is headed, but this is certainly the right direction to keep Texas on par with the rest of the country.”

The current NIL bill on Texas’s books does not allow universities to enter into direct contracts with athletes and prohibits athletes from earning NIL money while participating in team activities. The pending settlement for the House v. NCAA antitrust case opens the door for athletic departments to share revenue up to $20.5 million per year for the use of athletes’ names, images and likenesses during game broadcasts and in promotion of the department. A clause in HB 126 also allows for flexibility in the state law should the NCAA or a court ruling change the landscape or rules regarding NIL compensation in the future. The state needed an update to its law to allow Texas universities to participate in these portions of the settlement.

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Sen. Brandon Creighton, who sponsored the bill in the Senate, first presented HB 126 on Sunday evening. However, the legislation faced immediate pushback from Sen. Royce West (D-District 23) and Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (R-District 18), questioning whether loosening NIL restrictions would allow college programs to offer NIL deals to students as young as middle school.

“Colleges can go and start talking about NIL money to, like, children,” Kolkhorst said on the Senate floor. “What is going to happen is the agents, now, are going to be working through children. I’m not mad at [Creighton] and I’m not mad at Rep. Tepper. I think I’m mad at the United States of America for truly having a collapse of amateur athleticism and we’re going to have agents going and talking to 12 year olds.”

Patrick, noting the late hour, called Creighton forward for a side conversation, the result of which was tabling the bill for a later debate.

In the interim, the concerned senators held a conference call with administrators, coaches and legal council from athletic departments across the state to help clarify the purpose of the new NIL bill. To ease concerns about financially predatory actors preying on talented younger athletes, the Senate drafted an amendment to the legislation that said universities or third-party entities could not enter into an NIL contract with athletes younger than 17.

“I think it allayed some concern, but the bill already doesn’t allow any payment to any student that’s not enrolled at the school,” Tepper said. “So, you can do 100 contracts, but you actually have to show up until the contract is executed and commenced.”

Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte, who was part of the conference call, said he understood the senators’ concerns and had no problem with the amendment.

“I think they’re very thoughtful in the state of Texas that publicity rights are a collegiate opportunity,” he said Wednesday at SEC Spring Meetings. “It’s protecting high school, middle school and junior high. They wanted to do that and I understood that.”

Texas A&M athletic director Trev Alberts was unavailable for comment due to his commitments presenting at SEC Spring Meetings, according to a spokesperson. Requests for comment from many of the senators involved in the debate were not returned.

Two days and a conference call later, Creighton presented the bill once again on the Senate floor to a mostly united chamber. Sen. Kelly Hancock (R-District 9) took the floor in support of the bill.

“I have had constituents with young men and women that, because they live in our state and we have not done this, have contacted my office and said, ‘Hey, y’all need to pass something. My child wants to go to school in the state of Texas, but y’all are going to have to compete with the other people talking to my child,’” Hancock said.

Eventually, with the flick of the gavel, Patrick called for a vote to suspend the three-day rule resulting in an immediate vote on the bill. The count tallied 30 in favor and one “non sports fan,” he announced.

“Here’s to winning in Texas,” Patrick said, putting finality on the issue.

Now, the amended bill must be approved by the House before it finds its way to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk to sign into law. Coaches across the state desire a two-thirds majority vote in the House that will put the law into effect as soon as it is signed. If it gets less, the bill will become law on Sept. 1, losing valuable months of signing contracts and recruiting, should the House settlement be approved.

Tepper said he is hopeful his colleges will understand the importance of the two-thirds vote.

“I hate to predict things, because you just own’t want to muck it up somehow, but I’m confident that my colleges see the importance of this. I’m confident that they realize this has been hashed out as much as it can be hashed out as much as it can be hashed out. The situation is the situation and also, this is an opportunity for these high school and college athletes. I”m hoping and pleading and praying that they concur.”

But, Tepper sees the light at the end of a long tunnel that provided new life to college athletics in Texas.

“It’s more like satisfying that you know that you might have had a small hand in saving college football in Texas,” he said.

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NIL

Michigan Running Back’s Groundbreaking NIL Deal Redefines College Football

Michigan Running Back’s Groundbreaking NIL Deal Redefines College Football originally appeared on Athlon Sports. When Justice Haynes traded crimson for maize and blue, Michigan fans expected game-changing runs. What they didn’t expect? A business move just as explosive. Advertisement Haynes, the former Alabama running back and one of the top transfers of 2025, has inked […]

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June 6, 2025

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Michigan Running Back’s Groundbreaking NIL Deal Redefines College Football originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

When Justice Haynes traded crimson for maize and blue, Michigan fans expected game-changing runs. What they didn’t expect? A business move just as explosive.

Haynes, the former Alabama running back and one of the top transfers of 2025, has inked a unique NIL deal with Loom Juices, not just as a brand ambassador, but as an equity stakeholder. That’s right: the Wolverines’ rising star now owns part of the brand.

“This partnership exemplifies how athletes can leverage their platforms for meaningful, long-term brand engagements,” said Haynes’ agent, Dan Everett.

In a landscape flooded with apparel deals and one-off endorsements, Haynes’ agreement stands out. According to On3’s Pete Nakos, the deal positions the 5-foot-11, 205-pound back not only as a face of Loom’s health-focused mission, but as a strategic partner. For Loom, which targets a younger, wellness-conscious demographic, Haynes is the ideal match.

Michigan Wolverines running back Justice Haynes.Maize & Blue Review

The move reflects a growing NIL trend: equity over appearance. Instead of cashing short-term checks, Haynes is playing the long game, something fans and athletes alike should take note of.

It’s a bold step for the sophomore, who tallied 715 total yards and nine touchdowns over two seasons at Alabama. After entering the portal this winter, Haynes chose Michigan over South Carolina and Ole Miss, eager for a bigger stage and a larger role. He now enters a wide-open RB competition for a team hungry to rebound from a disappointing 10-3 finish in 2024.

With Haynes bringing both his downhill running style and entrepreneurial mindset to Ann Arbor, it’s clear: this isn’t just about football anymore.

This NIL deal isn’t just a contract. It’s a statement about athlete empowerment, brand strategy, and the evolving landscape of college sports.

If Haynes breaks out in the Big Ten like many expect, Loom Juices won’t just have a new face. They’ll have a stake in a star.

Related: Former Kentucky Great Has Words About NIL: “I’m Glad I Didn’t Play in That Era”

Related: Bill Belichick Breaks Silence on NIL Chaos

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.

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What Georgia pays softball coach Tony Baldwin after 2024 extension

Georgia softball reached the NCAA Super Regional round this past season for the third straight year under coach Tony Baldwin. It came after a tough SEC season when a Bulldogs team with an overhauled roster did not win an SEC series in a conference that saw three teams reach the final four of the Women’s […]

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June 6, 2025

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Georgia softball reached the NCAA Super Regional round this past season for the third straight year under coach Tony Baldwin.

It came after a tough SEC season when a Bulldogs team with an overhauled roster did not win an SEC series in a conference that saw three teams reach the final four of the Women’s College World Series.

Georgia awarded Baldwin with a boost in pay and a three-year contract extension in a deal signed last September, according to a contract obtained by the Athens Banner-Herald in an open records request.

It keeps Baldwin under contract through the end of the 2029 season and raised his total pay to $325,000 annually. That’s an increase of approximately $87,000 for Baldwin, who just completed his fourth season as Georgia’s head coach.

Baldwin’s pay is still below at least nine other SEC coaches according to a salary survey from The Oklahoman.

As part of the deal, Baldwin’s total pay increases $25,000 each year of the deal to $350,000 starting July 1, 2025, $375,000 on July 1, 2026, $400,000 on July 1, 2027 and $425,000 on July 1, 2028.

Baldwin also received a $30,000 longevity bonus on Sept. 30, 2024 and receives a $25,000 longevity bonus one month after each season.

He was due to receive a $50,000 longevity bonus on July 31, 2026 under his original contract after he was promoted from associate coach under Lu Harris-Champer following the 2021 season when the Bulldogs last made the Women’s College World Series.

Georgia finished the 2025 season with a 35-23 record. It went 7-16 in the SEC but won an NCAA regional as a lower-seeded team at Duke.

“This was a very young team, we graduated a ton of seniors last year,” athletic director Josh Brooks said. “Really excited with the progress they made. With all due respect to Duke and every other conference, we went through a gauntlet in the SEC. I knew once we got to regionals…I felt good about our opportunity.”

Georgia lost a deciding game three against Florida in a Super Regional series in Gainesville, 5-2.

“We’ve taken our share of punches and shots and all of the setbacks and we’ve shown up every week to start the new week with a fresh mindset that this week’s going to be our week and you don’t get that without great senior people in your room,” Baldwin, who is 163-75 as head coach, said after the final game. “We had some shortcomings this year, but the reason that we played for a chance to go to the World Series today was because of the people we have in a room, and I’ll go to bat with that any time.”

Brooks said he feels good about where the program is with a young team and the additions it’s making in the transfer portal and through the high school ranks.

“We’re giving them support now, a brand new facility,” Brooks said of softball upgrades. “We got to showcase it at the SEC softball tournament. I think facilities still do matter. I know NIL has become a big thing, but for a sport like softball, not just for recruiting but for how a kid will be able to train and develop and where they’ll call home, I think matters. I think it will keep elevating that program.”

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NCAA super regional game today

Louisville baseball coach Dan McDonnell on Super Regional game vs. Miami Louisville’s Dan McDonnell talks the day before the NCAA Tournament Super Regional game against Miami at Jim Patterson Stadium. Miami baseball has a 12-11 series lead over Louisville. The Louisville Cardinals are 37-10 all-time in postseason home game, advancing to five straight super regional […]

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June 6, 2025

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Miami baseball has a 12-11 series lead over Louisville.
The Louisville Cardinals are 37-10 all-time in postseason home game, advancing to five straight super regional series between 2013 and 2017 and again in 2019. They won in 2013, 2014, 2017 and 2019.
The Miami Hurricanes have made the College World Series 25 times with four national championships. Most recently, they made back-to-back trips in 2015 and 2016.

Louisville baseball and Miami are set for Game 1 of their NCAA Tournament super regional series today at Jim Patterson Stadium.

The ACC foes didn’t play this year but are two of the conference’s five teams to make the super regionals. Louisville will look for a series victory over the Hurricanes to make it back to the College World Series in Omaha for the first time since 2019. That was also the last time the Cardinals hosted a super regional. The Cardinals swept East Carolina that season to advance to the CWS.

Here is what to know heading into Game 1 of the best-of-three series.

Buy Louisville baseball tickets

Miami has a 12-11 series lead over Louisville. The two programs are 2-2 over their last four meetings with the Hurricanes winning the last two games of last year’s ACC series.

Louisville is in postseason form and playing with a ton of momentum right now. Going 3-0 in the regional with almost a week off to prepare will give the squad the time it needs to take Game 1 of the series. Louisville 8, Miami 4.

The Cardinals are 37-10 all-time in postseason home game, advancing to five straight super regional series between 2013 and 2017 and again in 2019. They won in 2013, 2014, 2017 and 2019.

The Hurricanes have made the College World Series 25 times with four national championships. Most recently, they made back-to-back trips in 2015 and 2016.

Looking to buy Louisville baseball tickets? We’ve got you covered.

Buy Louisville baseball tickets

Game 1: June 6, 3 p.m.
Game 2: June 7, 11 a.m.
Game 3: June 8, TBD (if necessary)

Reach Louisville football, women’s basketball and baseball beat writer Alexis Cubit at acubit@gannett.com and follow her on X at @Alexis_Cubit.

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Texas governor implements integral new bill heading into new athletic year

As we head into a new athletics year under the NIL era, a new bill has been signed into law in the state of Texas that could benefit Texas A&M and other universities in the state moving forward. As announced on Thursday afternoon, Governor Greg Abbott signed a new NIL law that will allow athletes […]

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2 hours ago

June 6, 2025

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As we head into a new athletics year under the NIL era, a new bill has been signed into law in the state of Texas that could benefit Texas A&M and other universities in the state moving forward.

As announced on Thursday afternoon, Governor Greg Abbott signed a new NIL law that will allow athletes over 17 in the state to receive NIL contracts directly from a university. This bill also aligns with the House settlement that is yet to be approved. For Texas A&M and other in-state universities, it will allow them to avoid any potential lawsuits or compliance issues and compete for recruits in some ways others may not be able to just yet.

The implementation of the bill was first reported by KBTX senior sports writer Travis L. Brown via X:

Let’s cut straight to the facts: there is no denying the influence of NIL on all collegiate athletics and it continues to grow by the minute. The transfer portal has reached historic numbers since the decision was made to introduce financial gain for players for their name, image and likeness (NIL).

That was just the beginning of something way bigger than anyone ever thought could happen in the sport. Some college athletes, like UCLA quarterback Nico Lamaleava, are making millions of dollars before they even reach the National Football League, which has always been the goal of most athletes, historically speaking.

Now, what is stopping players from just managing their finances in college and then retiring? Is that going to cause a shortage of athletes in the NFL? Or, will the professional football league continue to blossom? That is still to be determined.

For now, the House vs. NCAA antitrust lawsuit remains in full swing, with seemingly no end in sight just yet. The proposed, and now imposed, bill in the state of Texas protects universities in the state in more ways than one, while also providing a slight edge in recruiting as well.

The world of NIL and the transfer portal is something that will change rapidly and often. As new bills are signed or rejected, there seems to be some major miscommunications between the House and the NCAA that could be detrimental for all parties if not solved.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Dylan on X: @dylanmflippo.

This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas governor signs NIL bill integral to universities in the state

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Florida gymnastics adds eMjae Frazier, 10

AI-assisted summaryFlorida Gymnastics had an early exit in the 2025 NCAA Championship, their worst finish since 2019.The Gators added All-American eMjae Frazier from Cal-Berkeley to bolster their roster for the 2026 season.Frazier is a 10-time All-American and holds multiple Cal program records.Florida also welcomes four incoming freshmen, including two 5-star recruits.Florida gymnastics’ season ended at […]

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June 6, 2025

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Florida gymnastics adds eMjae Frazier, 10

It was an unexpected end for the third-ranked Gators, which fell to eventual national champion Oklahoma and upstart Missouri in its bid for the program’s fourth national championship and first since 2015.

The loss capped off a frustrating season where Florida dealt with injuries and inconsistent performances. With six seniors departing, including former national champion and Olympic alternate Leanne Wong, changes had to come to return the program to its perch atop the sport.

A month and a half after the defeat, coach Jenny Rowland and Co. reloaded and attacked the transfer portal. Last season, the team added All-American Selena Harris-Miranda, who instantly became one of the team’s best gymnasts.

This offseason, it seems like Rowland has struck gold once again as she’s corralled rising senior eMjae Frazier from Cal-Berkeley to join the Gators’ 2026 squad.

Here’s what you need to know about Frazier and her impact:

Who is eMjae Frazier?

Frazier (first name pronounced MJ) spent her first three years of college at Cal-Berkeley. She’s from the east coast, though, originally hailing from Erial, New Jersey.

At Berkeley, Frazier made a splash as a freshman. She was one of three freshmen to be named an All-American at the 2023 NCAA Championships. The other two first years are now her teammates – Kayla DiCello and Harris-Miranda (who did it at UCLA).Frazier and Harris-Miranda both know each other due to their west coast backgrounds, and it’s likely Harris-Miranda played a role in Frazier’s decision to come to Gainesville.Harris-Miranda arrived in North-Central Florida with an already impressive resume – including 2024 Pac-12 Gymnast of the Year. However, she took it up a notch – being named SEC Newcomer of the Year and earning five All-American nods.The Gators will certainly hope for similar improvement from Frazier, although her resume is already pretty stellar. Frazier is a 10-time All-American and, like Harris-Miranda, she picked up an impressive accolade in the 2024 season – World Collegiate Gymnastics Association (WCGA) West Region Gymnast of the Year. Apr 4, 2025; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Cal gymnast eMjae Frazier competes on the bars at Coleman Coliseum during the NCAA Tuscaloosa Gymanstics Regional. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News She’s scored three perfect 10s – two on floor and one on balance beam – and holds Cal program records for all-around, floor and beam.How does Frazier fit into the Gators?Frazier gives Florida’s some much needed depth. The loss of Wong is the big one, obviously, but the team also lost Sloane Blakely and Victoria Nguyen, both of whom received ample time competing last season.Frazier fits into the Gators’ all-around lineup along with Harris-Miranda. Anya Pilgrim is also back for her junior season, and rising sophomores like Ly Bui and Taylor Clark are key pieces.The unknowns on this roster come from Skye Blakely and Kayla DiCello. Both are supremely talented and seemed ready to claim Olympic spots in 2024, but they each suffered injuries during Trials. Blakely recovered in time to compete this season, but she was limited. Expect her role to increase big time.DiCello dealt with enough nagging injuries where she couldn’t compete in 2025. She is healthy, and let’s not forget, she was SEC Freshman of the Year in 2023. Florida Gators gymnast Kayla DiCello performs on the beam Friday. The Florida women's gymnastic team hosted the Georgia Bulldogs at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, FL on Friday, January 27, 2023. Florida defeated Georgia 197.900 to 196.850. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner] Who else is joining the Gators?Frazier is one of five newcomers so far on the Gators’ 2026 roster. The other four are incoming freshman. They include Amelia Disidore, Maddy Dorbin, Jocelyn Sasson and Jayla Booker.Sasson and Dorbin are each rated as 5-star recruits from College Gym News, while Disidore and Booker are 4-stars. Disidore is also the younger sister of Gabby Disidore – who is a rising junior on UF’s squad.The final member of the class was Bui, but she decided to enroll early and competed much of the season at age 16.Noah Ram covers Florida Gators athletics and Gainesville-area high school sports for The Gainesville Sun, GatorSports.com and the USA TODAY Network. Contact him at nram@gannett.com. Follow him on X @Noah_ram1. Read his coverage of the Gators’ national championship basketball season in “CHOMP-IONS!” — a hardcover coffee-table collector’s book from The Sun. Details at Florida.ChampsBook.com.

NIL

East Carolina Baseball Can Expose Tampering With Receipts

© Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images The East Carolina baseball team experienced an up and down season in 2025. After a bit of a slow start, the Pirates went on a run to make the NCAA Tournament. They were able to take down SEC foe Florida twice in postseason play but were unable to get past No. […]

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2 hours ago

June 6, 2025

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East Carolina baseball coach Cliff Godwin huddles with players.

The East Carolina baseball team experienced an up and down season in 2025. After a bit of a slow start, the Pirates went on a run to make the NCAA Tournament.

They were able to take down SEC foe Florida twice in postseason play but were unable to get past No. 1 seed Coastal Carolina in the regional finals. The year came to an end at 35-27.

The Pirates began the season by dropping six of their first eight contests. They then rebounded to get to 20-10 before losing six straight matchups to put postseason hopes in danger.

The regular season ended with a 29-25 overall record. That likely meant being on the outside looking in come NCAA Tournament time. A four-game run in the AAC Championship, however, provided new life.

The Pirates won the conference tournament championship. It allowed ECU to slide into the Conway Regional as a three-seed. The squad flexed its muscles against Florida but eventually fell 1-0 in an elimination game to Coastal Carolina.

Now, the task for head coach Cliff Godwin is keeping the core of his roster together. He’s already finding that difficult.

P4 programs are trying to poach East Carolina baseball players.

Our system is so BROKEN! We have coaches at P4 schools texting our players directly who are not in portal! And we have proof!

— Cliff Godwin (@cgodwin23) June 5, 2025

It took just days after season’s end for larger schools to begin reaching out to ECU players directly, according to Godwin. He’s keeping the receipts.

East Carolina, like most mid-majors, is in a difficult position. The Pirates have been one of the most successful programs in all of college baseball over the last quarter-century. Since 1999, they’ve posted 16 40-win seasons, including a 51-13 campaign in 2004.

In the past, the team was able to build on success year after year. Now, they find themselves in somewhat of an annual rebuild.

The transfer portal has been a major hit to G5 schools across all sports. NIL has only magnified the disadvantage. Larger programs can easily poach the best players with lucrative cash offers.

East Carolina’s baseball team was impacted last year after star infielder Alek Makarewicz bolted for NC State. Godwin then dealt with tampering issues during his team’s postseason appearance.

“We threw two pitchers on Monday that both knew they were leaving,” he said after a season-ending loss to Evansville. “I didn’t know they were leaving. I would’ve thrown position players. The guy that started and the guy that gave up the three-run homer went to the portal (two days after the season ended). They knew they were leaving.”

The Pirates lost some talent in the portal last year. Cliff Godwin hinted at more attrition earlier this year while questioning his players’ NIL motivations.

Those feelings seem to have changed following the Pirates’ late run. The head coach has made it his goal to keep the roster together.

“We’ll make some changes in some areas, for sure, and we’ll get better. We are going to keep this core group together, and man, they got a lot of experience together…

“I’m going to have to have some stay conversations. I’m sure there are people DMing them right now trying to buy them away… We’re going to do everything we can to keep them.”

-Cliff Godwin

Godwin confirmed those suspicions on Thursday. If the tampering continues, he might just expose his rivals!

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