NIL

In Arizona, high school athletes navigate name, image, likeness era

Desert Vista freshman phenom Zaire “Cherri” Hatter navigates the spotlight in Arizona’s new NIL era for high school athletes. (Photo courtesy of Jared Walther/Desert Vista) PHOENIX – In the evolving world of amateur sports, the three-letter acronym NIL has begun rewriting the rulebook. Short for name, image and likeness, this concept has opened the door […]

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2 months ago

May 8, 2025

Your Sports Nation

In Arizona, high school athletes navigate name, image, likeness era

Desert Vista freshman phenom Zaire “Cherri” Hatter navigates the spotlight in Arizona’s new NIL era for high school athletes. (Photo courtesy of Jared Walther/Desert Vista)

PHOENIX – In the evolving world of amateur sports, the three-letter acronym NIL has begun rewriting the rulebook.

Short for name, image and likeness, this concept has opened the door for monetization at all levels of athletics. A financial revolution once seemingly only available for college athletes is now trickling down all the way to the high school level. NIL is making its way into high school gymnasiums and fields with athletes across the U.S. growing their brand before stepping foot on a college campus.

At the center of this shift in Phoenix is Zaire “Cherri” Hatter, a 14-year-old basketball star from Desert Vista High School who has already begun navigating the life of a high-profile athlete. Hatter is a representation of the new world of youth athletics – a world where Hatter can reach new heights while staying true to herself.

It’s terrain University of Arizona basketball player Jada Williams knows well. She was the first female high school basketball players to sign a national NIL deal when she was at La Jolla Country Day School in San Diego and continues to reap the financial benefits from companies including Spalding and Gym Shark.

How we got here

To better understand NIL’s rapid growth, we have to look back to the origin. At the start, collegiate athletes competed for either pride or scholarships. But as collegiate sports evolved into a multi billion-dollar industry over time, the model began to shift.

In 2021, after years of legal battles among athletes and the courts, a landmark Supreme Court decision came in the NCAA vs. Alston case. As a result, the NCAA adjusted its rules to allow athletes to receive compensation through NIL deals.

One level lower, discussions began around NIL and high school athletes. As of 2025, at least 42 states and the District of Columbia allow high school athletes to profit from NIL.

Jon Kappes, an associate research professor at Arizona State’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law who recently hosted an event about NIL for young athletes, spoke to this and some of the risks that deals can pose in states where NIL is not permitted.

“I am aware that different states have been slower to change the high school policies, which have in some instances said high school students can lose eligibility,” Kappes said.

The Arizona Interscholastic Association officially approved NIL activity for high school students, allowing students the ability to profit under strict guidelines. Arizona’s high school students are prohibited from wearing school uniforms or logos or have any affiliation to the school in any NIL activities.

“It has added another layer of support and education we need to make sure we address these student-athletes, we have to make sure they are aware of the AIA bylaws,” said Jared Walther, the assistant principal of activities at Desert Vista. “We educate our coaches with the bylaws and help them navigate it with the kids.”

The support system

Already drawing Division I attention, Desert Vista freshman Zaire “Cherri” Hatter is growing into one of Arizona’s most marketable young athletes. (Photo courtesy of Jared Walther/Desert Vista)

Hatter’s emergence as one of the top high school athletes, and the top girls state basketball athlete in the class of 2028 has placed the freshman guard at the forefront of the Arizona NIL youth movement. Hatter is already in line for NIL opportunities while also fielding Division I offers from programs like Alabama and Maryland. She recalled her excitement when she received that first offer.

“It was exciting, because it confirms that my hard work has paid off so far,” Hatter said. “I definitely still have a lot of work to keep getting better.”

While she enjoys the spotlight at a young age, Hatter is fully aware of the responsibility that comes with being a high-level athlete. The pressure of living up to the hype comes with its own challenges, but she keeps her mind focused.

“I still have three years left of high school, I am making sure I continue to get better each day,” Hatter said.

Maintaining a positive mindset on and off the court at times can be tricky and hard to manage for young athletes. Having her mother by her side has been one of the keys in her success so far.

With her mother working as an equipment manager for the Desert Vista team, the long afternoon sessions that extend into the evenings become easier with her mother’s sacrifices.

“It is a big time commitment, but I enjoy the process of juggling school, and basketball,” Hatter said.

Another piece of the puzzle is Desert Vista coach Erin O’Bryan, a former university of Arizona women’s basketball player, who understands Hatter is rare and provides guidance based on her own experiences.

“Cherri’s work ethic is unmatched, she puts in hours upon hours in the weight room, on the court, and in the training room. She is dedicated to becoming the best player she can,” O’Bryan said. “Cherri has a very high ceiling, and she has high expectations for herself. She could end up being the most highly sought after player in Arizona.”

The praise is consistent among all coaches, friends and family, but the admiration does not change Hatter’s personality. O’Bryan mentioned that the era of NIL has not changed any team dynamics.

Hatter’s acknowledgment extends beyond just the court for Walther, who sees how well she handles the pressure at her age.

“For being only a freshman and having these expectations placed on her, she has gone with the flow and not let any of it disrupt her usual day to day life,” Walther said. “She continues to do well in the classroom even with her basketball responsibilities.”

Beyond the court

The pressure of NIL reaches beyond just the financial aspects and collegiate recruitments – they also influence mental health. The feeling of starting early and standing out can at times train kids to not only train to like professionals but seemingly market themselves like that as well.

Desert Vista freshman Zaire “Cherri” Hatter balances books, basketball and brands as the top Arizona girls basketball recruit in her class. (Photo courtesy of Jared Walther/Desert Vista)

Lindsey Markwell, a lecturer at Arizona State University in the Movement Sciences Programs with expertise in sport psychology and mental performance, echoes those concerns.

“When sport becomes the only thing a youth athlete does or the only thing others talk to them about it can lead to single-performance based identity,” Markwell said. “Their self-worth becomes tied to how well they perform.”

In most cases, especially in Arizona, sports such as basketball are year-round due to school commitments and club or team commitments resulting in a situation where most do not get that break or that “offseason” away.

In Hatter’s case, it is vital to her success to have a strong environment surrounding her to ensure the road trips or the early practices are possible, and the enjoyment of being a kid isn’t lost.

Luckily for Hatter that is exactly what she has from her mom by her side, to her sister, to all coaches and teachers, everyone in Hatter life is there to support her and see her grow not just as an athlete but as a person.

While the mental load for anyone at this age let alone a teenager is quite a lot, it is simply hard to put NIL or competitive sports at fault. For all athletes alike, positive mental health outcomes will always be possible when someone such as Hatter has the ability to be heard and feel valued past how they play on a given day.

“When supported well, early commitment can build resilience, discipline, and confidence,” Markwell said. “Balance, autonomy, and having a voice in their schedule makes all the difference.”

For Desert Vista girls basketball the show is not all just about Hatter instead she is the beacon that shines brightest for the team and inspires each person to give it their best. Ultimately, by serving as leader on the court, Hatter’s passion and love for the game echoes across the locker room and classroom.

“Cherri gives our team confidence, she is reliable and plays well every time she steps on the court,” O’Bryan said. “She upholds the culture of toughness and winning.”

A quick comparison

As the spotlight continues to grow on young athletes such as Hatter, it is brought to question that what we’re witnessing isn’t entirely new – it just looks different. NIL, with the branding and pressure to perform mirrors some of the experience of the youth entertainment culture of child stars in Hollywood.

“In terms of an age threshold, what comes to my mind is that this context of athletics and sports is not that different from young actors,” Kappes said. “ So you’ve got child actors that are toddlers, that are babies, nine months old, two years old.”

Like child actors, NIL athletes tend to be thrusted into adult conversations and spaces while still developing as a person mentally and emotionally. In a lot of situations they are learning to market themselves and perform under pressure before they can even legally drive a car.

“Athletes are branding themselves at 14 or 15, constantly curating how they’re seen,” Markwell said. “That pressure to always perform – both in real life and online – is a lot for anyone, let alone a teenager.”

Though unlike child stars in Hollywood, students like Hatter are expected to attend school, take tests and homework like everyone else and in some situations to a higher degree.

When hearing from people close to her though, this is exactly what makes Hatter special — managing both lives – as a freshmen student and a high profile athlete. She is able to thrive as a person in the classroom and on the court.

A new era

The NIL era has unlocked untapped doors for young athletes to offer opportunities to profit from not only themselves but their passions. As time moves on, expectation starts to grow and the pressure to perform is more than just sport.

“The first thing for a young person to look at: Do they want to be engaged in sanctioned high school athletics, or do they not,” Kappes said.

Luckily for Hatter the decision is easy as becoming the best player she can be is a simple mindset that continues to take her places. Hatter is not just navigating NIL – she is acting as a pioneer in a world that is still unknown and fresh – serving as a representation of young athletes to come.

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MLB Pipeline releases final mock with big movement

Just one day before the 2025 MLB Draft gets underway, MLB Pipeline released its final Mock Draft with some major movement. The Draft serves as a special event that cements the lifetime dream of hundreds of amateur baseball players. LSU left-hander pitcher Kade Anderson and Stillwater High School infielder Ethan Holliday seem to be the […]

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22 minutes ago

July 13, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Just one day before the 2025 MLB Draft gets underway, MLB Pipeline released its final Mock Draft with some major movement.

The Draft serves as a special event that cements the lifetime dream of hundreds of amateur baseball players. LSU left-hander pitcher Kade Anderson and Stillwater High School infielder Ethan Holliday seem to be the players still in contention for the No. 1 overall pick, while Tennessee left-hander Liam Doyle and Corona High School right-hander Seth Hernandez could come off the board right after.

MLB Pipeline’s picks, 1-43, are below:

1. Washington Nationals: LHP Kade Anderson, LSU

LSU sophomore left-handed pitcher Kade Anderson has skyrocketed to the projected No. 1 pick in the MLB Draft. Anderson led all college pitchers this season in strikeouts (180) and pitched to a 3.18 ERA in 119 innings. He held Coastal Carolina to just three hits and no runs with 10 strikeouts in the opening game of the College World Series Final, posting the first CWS shutout since 2018.

“With a quick arm and athletic delivery, Anderson provides plenty of strikes,” MLB.com writes. “There’s still projection remaining in his slender 6-foot-2 frame, and his uptick in stuff this spring could make him a frontline starter. He also comes with a high floor as a lefty with four effective offerings and pitchability.

Tennessee’s Liam Doyle (© Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Tennessee left-handed pitcher Liam Doyle ranked second in the country in strikeouts (164) behind Anderson, pitching to a 3.20 ERA in 95 2/3 innings this season. He struggled a bit down the final stretch, however, posting a 6.86 ERA over his final five starts (21 innings). Doyle, however, remains positioned to be the highest drafted pitcher in Tennessee program history. This comes after transferring from Ole Miss prior to the season.

“While he throws his fastball nearly two-thirds of the time, Doyle has four effective pitches after switching to using an upper-80s splitter as his changeup,” MLB.com writes. “Despite his dominance this spring, there are concerns about his ability to succeed as a starter at the next level because he has an unorthodox delivery and constantly throws with maximum intent. He does provide consistent strikes and has held his stuff deep into games and throughout this season.

Right-handed pitcher Seth Hernandez out of Corona High School (CA) would mark Cincinnati’s third straight selection of an arm in the Top 10 picks. Hernandez is the top high school pitching prospect of the 2025 class and has reached 100 mph on his fastball. He’s verbally committed to Vanderbilt. But it looks like he probably won’t reach campus and will choose to go pro.

“In addition to his pure stuff, Hernandez does a solid job finding the zone, especially considering his age and power stuff,” MLB.com writes. “Committed to Vanderbilt, he gets very high marks for his work ethic, showing the ability to make adjustments and corrections to put himself in position to be one of the first pitchers taken in the 2025 Draft.

Holliday, who is the son of seven-time MLB All-Star Matt Holliday and brother of Jackson Holliday (First Overall Pick in the 2022 MLB Draft), was projected as the No. 1 pick for most of the past year. But he has slipped a bit recently. Holliday was recently named Gatorade’s Oklahoma Player of the Year at Stillwater High School and looks to become the fourth No. 1 pick out of high school in the past 10 MLB Drafts. He’s verbally committed to Oklahoma State, but it looks like he probably won’t reach campus.

“Holliday moves well for his size and has average speed, though he’ll probably lose a step as he continues to mature physically,” MLB.com writes. “He has nice actions and solid arm strength at shortstop, but he won’t cover enough ground to stay there on a long-term basis. The Oklahoma State recruit projects better as a slugging third baseman and could be a quality defender on the hot corner.”

5. St. Louis Cardinals: SS Eli Willits, Oklahoma commit

Fort-Cobb Broxton’s Eli Willits (Photo via OU Athletics)

Fort-Cobb Broxton (OK) High product Eli Willits is one of three talented high school shortstops projected in the Top 10 of this year’s draft. He is listed at No. 5 on MiLB.com’s Prospect Rankings ahead of Carlson and is a proficient switch-hitter. His father, Reggie Willits, is a former MLB veteran who is now an associate head coach at Oklahoma. His brother, Jaxon, started 50 games for the Sooners at shortstop this season. He’s also verbally committed to Oklahoma, but it looks like he probably won’t reach campus.

“Willits has the nonstop motor and instincts to get the most out of his physical tools,” MLB.com writes. “He plays quicker than his plus speed and earns solid grades for his arm strength and defensive play at shortstop, and scouts won’t be shocked if those both become pluses once he’s fully developed. There’s no reason he shouldn’t stay at shortstop but he’d also profile well in center field.”

Oregon State shortstop Aiva Arquette was originally selected in the 18th round of the 2022 MLB Draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks, but bet on himself and returned to college. The decision paid off mightily, as the 2025 First Team All-American is projected as the No. 3 pick in the 2025 Draft. Starting for a Beaver program that made the College World Series for the first time since 2018, Arquette hit for a .354 average with 17 doubles, 19 home runs, 66 RBI, a .654 SLG% and a .461 OBP%. He would become Oregon State‘s third top-three pick in the last seven Drafts.

“While Arquette is an average runner and played second base at Washington, he showed on the Cape that he should have the chops to play shortstop long-term, with easy actions, soft hands and more than enough arm with carry at every angle across the diamond,” MLB.com writes. “College bats with pop at a premium position are always a hot commodity, so Arquette should get plenty of attention in the first round.”

Shortstop JoJo Parker is the third projected high school shortstop to be selected in the top-10. He’s the twin brother of Perfect Game All-American Jacob Parker and his tabbed as MiLB’s No. 9 ranked prospect. He’s verbally committed to Mississippi State. But it looks like he probably won’t reach campus and will choose to go pro.

“While Parker will get the chance to play shortstop at the next level and his solid arm strength, his actions and quickness are just average,” MLB.com writes. “That likely will dictate a move to second or third base in the future, though he should provide enough offense to profile at either position. The twins are committed to playing together at Mississippi State if they don’t turn pro.”

Florida State’s Jamie Arnold (Photo via FSU Athletics)

Florida State left-handed pitcher Jamie Arnold is the third projected college lefty to go in the top-eight picks in this Mock Draft. He capped off back-to-back stellar campaigns for the Seminoles by pitching to a 2.98 ERA with 119 strikeouts in 84 2/3 innings this season. In 13 2/3 innings of work in this year’s NCAA Tournament, Arnold led FSU to two wins (Mississippi State and Oregon State) by pitching to a 2.63 ERA with 22 strikeouts.

“Arnold has shown the ability to fill up the strike zone and limit damage while maintaining his stuff deep into outings,” MLB.com writes. “With the funky arm slot, his stuff has drawn some comparisons to Chris Sale’s, a reason why his name will be mentioned in conversations at the top of the first round.”

Auburn‘s Ike Irish was one of the best catchers in college baseball in 2024, but transitioned to the outfield in 2025. He excelled there as well, making just two errors in 55 games. Offensively, he hit for a .364 average with 13 doubles, 19 home runs and 58 RBI for a 40-win Tiger team. Over the span of three seasons, Irish hit for a .350 average with 48 doubles, 39 home runs and 167 RBI. He was named to the All-SEC First Team in both 2024 and 2025.

“Irish entered 2025 contending for the title of best catching prospect in college baseball but spent most of the spring in right field after fracturing his right scapula when hit by a pitch in March,” MLB.com writes. “There’s a growing sentiment that he’d be better off maximizing his offense by sticking in the outfield, and he moves and throws well enough to get the job done in right. Behind the plate, he shows the hands to become an average receiver and framer, though a long release undermines his plus arm strength a bit.”

10. Chicago White Sox: SS Billy Carlson, Tennessee commit

Billy Carlson is a stud defensive shortstop out of Corona High School in California. He is one of two prospects out of Corona High (RHP Seth Hernandez) projected as First-Round picks. He was once a two-way player (with a fastball in the mid-90s), but he has focused on the infield as he embarks on his professional baseball journey. He is currently verbally committed to Tennessee. But it looks like he probably won’t reach campus and go pro instead.

“At one point, Carlson was thought to be a legitimate two-way player, with a fastball in the mid-90s and feel for spinning a breaking ball,” MLB.com writes. “But it will be his five-tool potential at a premium position that will get the Tennessee recruit selected in the top half of the first round, though his age at Draft time (19) might rule out some teams.”

Picks 11-30 of the draft

Texas A&M’s Jace LaViolette (© Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK)

11. Athletics: 2B Gavin Kilen, Tennessee
12. Texas Rangers: SS Daniel Pierce, Georgia commit
13. San Francisco Giants: RHP Kyson Witherspoon, Oklahoma
14. Tampa Bay Rays: SS Steele Hall, Tennessee commit
15. Boston Red Sox: SS Marek Houston, Wake Forest
16. Minnesota Twins: RHP Tyler Bremner, UC Santa Barbara
17. Chicago Cubs: OF Brendan Summerhill, Arizona
18. Arizona Diamondbacks: C Caden Bodine, Coastal Carolina
19. Baltimore Orioles: 3B Gavin Fien, Texas commit
20. Milwaukee Brewers: RHP Gage Wood, Arkansas
21. Houston Astros: OF Jace LaViolette, Texas A&M
22. Atlanta Braves: SS Wehiwa Aloy, Arkansas
23. Kansas City Royals: LHP Kruz Schoolcraft, Tennessee commit
24. Detroit Tigers: OF Slater de Brun, Vanderbilt commit
25. San Diego Padres: SS/2B Kayson Cunningham, Texas commit
26. Philadelphia Phillies: C Luke Stevenson, North Carolina
27. Cleveland Guardians: 3B Josh Hammond, Wake Forest commit

28. Kansas City Royals: SS Dax Kilby, Clemson commit

Compensatory Round of draft

29. Arizona Diamondbacks: 1B/3B Andrew Fischer, Tennessee
30. Baltimore Orioles: 3B Xavier Neyens, Oregon State commit
31. Baltimore Orioles: 2B/OF Sean Gamble, Vanderbilt commit
32. Milwaukee Brewers: OF Ethan Conrad, Wake Forest
33. Boston Red Sox: OF Cam Cannarella, Clemson
34. Detroit Tigers: OF Jaden Fauske, LSU commit
35. Seattle Mariners: OF Devin Taylor, Indiana
36. Minnesota Twins: SS Alex Lodise, Florida State
37. Baltimore Orioles: RHP Patrick Forbes, Louisville
38. New York Mets: LHP Jack Bauer, Mississippi State commit
39. New York Yankees: RHP Riley Quick, Alabama
40. Los Angeles Dodgers: 3B/OF Quentin Young, LSU commit
41. Los Angeles Dodgers: RHP Marcus Phillips, Tennessee
42. Tampa Bay Rays: SS Tate Southisene, USC commit
43. Miami Marlins: OF Mason Neville, Oregon

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Sporting News ranks Big Ten Football schedules from hardest to easiest

The Sporting News ranked Big Ten football schedules for this upcoming college football season from hardest to easiest, all the way from Wisconsin (hardest) to Illinois (easiest). This list casts great news for College Football Playoff hopeful teams such as the Fighting Illini, Oregon and Michigan, but casts a daunting shadow on struggling programs such […]

Published

36 minutes ago

July 13, 2025

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The Sporting News ranked Big Ten football schedules for this upcoming college football season from hardest to easiest, all the way from Wisconsin (hardest) to Illinois (easiest).

This list casts great news for College Football Playoff hopeful teams such as the Fighting Illini, Oregon and Michigan, but casts a daunting shadow on struggling programs such as Wisconsin, Rutgers and Purdue.

Last year, Oregon had the 12th hardest schedule according to The Sporting News and finished the regular season with an unblemished 9-0 conference record. The Ducks then went on to win the Big Ten Championship Game in their first year in the conference.

Toughest Opponents: at Alabama, vs Illinois, vs Michigan, vs Ohio State, at Oregon

Bad news for a Wisconsin program which has failed to reach the eight-win mark in three consecutive seasons for the first time since 1990-92. Anything less than eight wins seems like it would put head coach Luke Fickell on the hot seat. With the hardest schedule in the Big Ten according to The Sporting News, it really could be another rough campaign for the jumpin’ Badgers.

Toughest Opponents: at Illinois, at Ohio State, vs Oregon, vs Penn State

Coming off back-to-back seven win campaigns, Rutgers will face three teams that made the College Football Playoff last season. A win over any of these four teams this season would likely give the Scarlet Knights and head coach Greg Schiano their first top-25 victory since 2009 (USF).

Toughest Opponents: at Illinois, vs Michigan, at Notre Dame, at Oregon

USC‘s 2025 conference schedule is a bit of a gauntlet, as it will travel (to what will likely be top-15 teams) Illinois, Notre Dame and Oregon this season. Paul Finebaum tabbed Lincoln Riley as the head coach with the most pressure this season and anything less than being in the College Football Playoff conversation could be disastrous for the QB guru.

Toughest Opponents: at Illinois, at Michigan, vs Penn State, vs Texas

The reigning National Champions have the fourth most challenging schedule this season according to The Sporting News. The Buckeyes kick off the 2025 season on August 30 at home against Texas in a monster non-conference matchup and will face off against Illinois, Michigan and Penn State in conference play. Ohio State will look to break its four-season losing streak to the Wolverines this year, but a win in Ann Arbor is no easy task (unless you’re Appalachian State).

© Alex Martin/Journal and Courier / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Toughest Opponents: vs Illinois, vs Michigan, at Notre Dame, at Ohio State

In what is set to be another disastrous season for a lowly Purdue program (ranked dead last among all power-four programs in Phil Steele’s 2025 College Football preview), the Boilermakers travel to both Notre Dame and Ohio State along with hosting Illinois and Michigan in West Lafayette. Purdue hasn’t gone winless in conference play in back-to-back seasons since 1919-20.

Toughest Opponents: vs Illinois, at Michigan, vs Ohio State, at Oregon

Washington seems to a program still looking to find itself in the second year of the Jedd Fisch era. The Huskies will travel to both Michigan and Oregon, but will host Illinois and Ohio State at Husky Stadium. It’ll look to get back to its program peak in 2023, when it went five-for-five in conference games against top-25 opponents.

Toughest Opponents: at Illinois, vs Michigan, vs Oregon, at Penn State

Northwestern has the seventh toughest schedule in the Big Ten this season according to The Sporting News. The Wildcats will host Illinois and Penn State at newly built Martin Stadium, looking to surprise the college football world once again like they did in 2023 when they went 8-4.

Toughest Opponents: vs Illinois, at Oregon, at Penn State

A season removed from making the College Football Playoff after not winning one singular regular season top-25 matchup, Indiana travels to both Oregon and Penn State and will host Illinois in Bloomington. Year two of the Curt Cignetti era is set up to show the college football world that the Hoosiers are here to stay, or it could show that they were a one-year wonder.

Toughest Opponents: at Ohio State, at Oregon

Freshly extended P.J. Fleck will lead his Minnesota Gophers into the conference’s ninth hardest schedule, headlined by road games at both Ohio State and Oregon. During Fleck’s tenure at Minnesota, he is 0-3 against Ohio State and has yet to face the Ducks.

Toughest Opponents: at Ohio State, vs Penn State

In what could be a make or break year for head coach DeShaun Foster and newly acquired quarterback Nico Iamaleava, the Bruins will travel to Ohio State and host a home game against Penn State this season. The road game against the Buckeyes will serve as a chance at redemption for Nico, who passed for just 104 yards in Tennessee‘s 42-17 loss to Ohio State in the 2024 College Football Playoff.

Teams 11-18

11. Penn State Nittany Lions
12. Iowa Hawkeyes
13. Nebraska Cornhuskers
T-14. Michigan Wolverines
T-14. Maryland Terrapins
T-14. Oregon Ducks
17. Michigan State Spartans
18. Illinois Fighting Illini

© Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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Jason Martin & Arnie Spanier discuss the LeBron James controversy, Cooper F | FOX Sports Radio

Published

2 hours ago

July 13, 2025

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In a new episode of FOX Sports Saturday, Jason Martin & Arnie Spanier (in for Aaron Torres) start off the show discussing the LeBron James controversy and new information coming out about the Lakers informing Luka Doncic, but not LeBron James about the sale of the Lakers. They then go into Cooper Flagg already being more marketable and more of a face of the NBA than Victor Wembanyama. Jason brings up marketability and draws the Angel Reese Caitlin Clark parallel after Reese was chosen to be on NBA 2K26 over Caitlin Clark, who draws substantially more viewership. Fox Sports Radio NBA Analyst Mark Medina joins the show to discuss LeBron James’ appearance at the Lakers vs. Pelicans game and the controversy surrounding him. Arnie then brings up the new NIL Era in College Football and how Texas Tech just spent $5.1M on an OL for 3 years.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormak makes a big claim ahead of next football season

Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormak has been in the job since July of 2022. Since then, the Big 12 has been represented in every College Football Playoff. In Yormaks inagural year, it was TCU who shocked the world and made it to the National Championship before crashing out to Georgia in what was a dominant […]

Published

3 hours ago

July 13, 2025

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The year after, Texas was heartbroken thanks to a 37-31 loss to eventual runner-ups Washington in the semifinal stage.

But, last year things were a little different. the 2024/25 season saw the expansion to the 12-team playoff bracket and big-hitters Texas and Oklahoma jumped ship to the SEC, as the Big 12 welcomed four new teams. The likes of Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah were each introduced.

Just one team from the Big 12 made the CFP, being Arizona State.

It would be harsh to say last season was a disappointment from the Big 12 standpoint. After all, having to deal with the massive blows of losing Texas and Oklahoma was patched with the Sun Devils compiling a six-game win streak that pushed Kenny Dillingham’s team to the playoff.

Yet Yormak expects for this season to be different.

According to Shehan Jeyarajah of CBS Sports, Yormak was quoted at the Big 12 Media Days saying, “No league offers the competitive balance that we do. … I fully expect the Big 12 to earn multiple College Football Playoff bids this year and to show once again that we can compete.”

When looking at the current layout of the Big 12, this is an ambitious claim. According to college football analyst Phil Steele, 11 teams were ranked inside the top 50, including the Jayhawks.

Those teams include Arizona State (15), Baylor (18), Utah, Texas Tech (25), TCU (26), Iowa State (28), Kansas State (30), Brigham Young University (42), Cincinnati (42), and Houston (46), before Kansas reached the 49th spot.

As of today, star BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff withdrew from the program after likely being faced with a seven-game suspension, after breaking the BYU honor code, taking away a possible dark horse for some college football playoff drama. Combine that with the massive overhaul of Texas Tech, which has seen the Red Raiders reel in 21 of the nation’s elite transfers and the world has yet to see thme fully mesh.

Dillingham’s Arizona State is, of course, going to top the Big 12 schools after their remarkable 11-3 season last Fall.

For the Jayhawks, opinions are mixed, quarterback Jalon Daniels appears to still have a little bit of a question mark over his head from fans regarding his ability when fully fit after spells of injury holding him back. That, along with the recent promotions of assistants to full-time coordinator positions, has its ups and downs. But, a strong transfer class ranked 7th in the Big 12 according to 247Sports does pose hope.

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South Carolina softball picks up commitment from transfer portal speedster

South Carolina softball coach Ashley Chastain Woodard has picked up another commitment for the 2026 version of the Gamecocks. Utility player Lexie Shaver, a former Kennesaw State Owl, announced her pledge to USC on Saturday evening. Shaver, a two-time All-State performer and Utah state champion at Riverton High School, played a year at the junior […]

Published

3 hours ago

July 13, 2025

Your Sports Nation

South Carolina softball picks up commitment from transfer portal speedster

Shaver, a two-time All-State performer and Utah state champion at Riverton High School, played a year at the junior college level before spending 2025 at KSU. While there, she played with fellow South Carolina transfer portal commitment Emma Friedel, a right-handed pitcher.

This spring, Shaver played a lot of first base but has experience playing multiple positions, something she could do with the Gamecocks, too. Her athleticism and speed on the bases will be a weapon for Coach Chastain Woodard as South Carolina lost several of its top base-stealing threats from the 2025 roster to graduation and oft-used pinch runner Chloe Lackey. Shaver brings a little pop to the table, too. She swatted four home runs as a sophomore but cleared the fence 15 times as a junior college freshman.

This summer, Shaver has been tearing up the Florida Gulf Coast League. She was named an All-Star and belted a two-run homer in the FGCL All-Star Game. She also brought home the FGCL Humanitarian Award.

Shaver is the 10th overall transfer portal commitment of the summer for South Carolina. She is also one of several who have multiple years of eligibility remaining.

In total, she joins Mississippi State right-handed pitcher Josey Marron, NC State outfielder Tori Ensley, Ole Miss infielder Tate Davis, Florida infielder Alyssa Hovermale, Kennesaw State pitcher Emma Friedel, Kentucky pitcher Julie Kelley, Georgia infielder Precious Bross, Ole Miss catcher Jamie Mackay, and Purdue infielder Sage Scarmardo as members of South Carolina’s transfer class.

NIL

College Football is ripe for another Michigan/Notre Dame classic

Too much time has passed since the Wolverines and Fighting Irish have butted heads in one of the sport’s most iconic rivalries. The next scheduled meeting is not until 2033 in Ann Arbor and a year later in South Bend. In my opinion these two titans should be playing every year, excluding the college football […]

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4 hours ago

July 13, 2025

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If and when they matchup it will be the first time that two African American coaches lead the way for both programs. Marcus Freeman and Sherrone Moore are riding high off of last season’s proverbial humps that they both mutually overcame. However in eight years from now one or both might be gone, with how things are humming inside their respective buildings.

2028 is the soonest that both have an opening on their schedules. Credit to Notre Dame which is not shying away from playing teams like Texas, Alabama and Florida during that stretch. So its argument of not wanting to play Michigan in the same time frame is somewhat valid.

If Notre Dame ever decided to join a conference the Big Ten makes more sense than the ACC and are a much better fit then the four Pac-12 members who debuted in 2024. Unfortunately since the Irish stayed independent this long, then they’ll never join a conference, unless the money is too rich to turn down.

A prime-time game between the two would do astronomical numbers wherever they play, like in 2011. The most likely scenario, though, is that they’ll square off in the playoffs before 2033. You would think that with the money alone, both universities would find a way to reach an agreement that satisfies all parties involved.

A Michigan/Notre Dame regular season clash makes college football better. The only thing that would top it would be a national championship encounter.

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