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It’s Lamborghini season in Austin as Longhorns put NIL wealth on full display

The Texas Longhorns have been at the top of college football’s game in terms of recruiting in recent years. In fact, Texas’ 2024 recruiting class was ranked No. 6 overall, according to 247Sports Composite Rankings last year; and in 2023, No. 3 overall, according to 247Sports. There’s room to improve, in other words. Enter Texas […]

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2 weeks ago

June 10, 2025

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There’s room to improve, in other words.

Enter Texas football’s Lamborghini roster.

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Xavier Lucas’ attorney denies Miami meeting alleged in Wisconsin lawsuit

The University of Wisconsin and its NIL collective filed a lawsuit Friday against the University of Miami, alleging tortious interference. While not mentioned in the suit, instead cited as “Student Athlete A,” the complaint centers around defensive back Xavier Lucas, who left Wisconsin for Miami this winter. Lucas never actually entered the transfer portal. A […]

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6 minutes ago

June 22, 2025

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The University of Wisconsin and its NIL collective filed a lawsuit Friday against the University of Miami, alleging tortious interference. While not mentioned in the suit, instead cited as “Student Athlete A,” the complaint centers around defensive back Xavier Lucas, who left Wisconsin for Miami this winter.

Lucas never actually entered the transfer portal. A standout freshman cornerback in 2024 for the Badgers, Lucas posted 18 tackles and an interception in seven games. Lucas withdrew from classes at Wisconsin and enrolled at Miami in January, circumventing the NCAA’s transfer portal.

Wisconsin is seeking financial damages and a judgment that Miami’s actions “wrongfully interfere with contractual commitments.” Lucas’ attorney, Darren Heitner, said in the winter that Wisconsin violated NCAA rules by refusing to place Lucas in the transfer portal.

In the complaint filed Friday, Wisconsin alleges that a Miami staff member and alumnus met Lucas and his family at a relative’s home in Florida in December 2024 after the defensive back signed a two-year, revenue-sharing deal with Wisconsin. That included a “compensation commitment” from Miami that was “more lucrative” than Wisconsin’s deal.

“Miami representatives communicated with Student-Athlete A and his family members, including an in-person December 2024 visit from a Miami coach and a prominent Miami alumnus to the Florida home of a relative of Student-Athlete A,” Wisconsin’s complaint states. “The information related to the in-home visit was communicated to UW-Madison by a relative of Student-Athlete A on December 18, 2024.”

Heitner denied the allegations, telling On3 on Saturday that Lucas never met with a Miami coach and prominent alumnus in December 2024. Heitner previously threatened to file an antitrust lawsuit against Wisconsin if Lucas was not able to play at Miami.

“Wisconsin’s allegations that my client, Xavier Lucas, met with a Miami coach and prominent alumnus in December 2024 are false,” Lucas’ attorney Darren Heitner told On3.

Heitner is an adjunct professor of NIL at the University of Miami School of Law.

In the lawsuit, Wisconsin alleges that Miami communicated with Lucas, “knowingly inducing” him to do so despite being under contract with the Badgers. Wisconsin wrote in the filing that it hopes the lawsuit “will advance the overall integrity of the game by holding programs legally accountable when they wrongfully interfere with contractual commitments.”

The University of Miami has yet to respond to a request for comment. The Big Ten is supporting Wisconsin, telling On3 in a statement that “The University of Miami’s actions are irreconcilable with a sustainable college sports framework and is supportive of UW-Madison’s efforts to preserve.”

It’s an unprecedented moment in college football, with one university accusing another of tampering and it will put the NCAA transfer portal rules to the test.

“These are the type of tampering allegations that are typically fought behind closed doors at the professional sports level based on the leagues’ collective bargaining agreement,” sports lawyer and professor Dan Lust told On3 on Friday. “Here, in the absence of any type of similar mechanism at the collegiate level, this dispute is going to be fought in open court for the world to see the complex interplay of forces in and around the transfer portal. This is truly an unprecedented case and one that commands the attention of the college sports world.”

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College football: Wisconsin NIL collective sues Miami, allege tampering | Ap

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7 minutes ago

June 22, 2025

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Opinion: 10 Problems With Wisconsin’s Lawsuit Against Miami

Just shy of two months ago, Cameron Anthony Ward stood on a Green Bay, Wisconsin stage, about 140 miles northeast of the University of Wisconsin, celebrating his selection as the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Wisconsin Badgers, who finished their season in November after only mustering five wins, did not have […]

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50 minutes ago

June 22, 2025

Your Sports Nation

College football is about two months away from resuming the gridiron battles. But on Friday, the University of Wisconsin picked a different kind of battle: Bucky Badger filed a lawsuit against the University of Miami in Wisconsin state court alleging that Miami tampered with contracts between Wisconsin and its NIL collective (VC Connect, LLC). A copy of Wisconsin’s Complaint is available here (thanks to Margaret Fleming and Front Office Sports). In civil litigation, a Complaint is a document that launches the lawsuit by stating the alleged facts occurred and how those alleged facts were illegal. The full Complaint is worth a read, but snippets are discussed below.

Wisconsin’s lawsuit, the first of its kind brought by one university against another in the NIL era, has a host of problems.

1. Gee Whiz, Who Could be “Student-Athlete A”

At the center of the lawsuit is “Student-Athlete A.” This mystery student is described as a “DI college football player” who “arrived in Madison, Wisconsin for his freshman year” in June 2024, and played in “most games” during his freshman season. But then, this anonymous athlete requested to be placed in the transfer portal, Wisconsin refused, and “Student-Athlete-A” enrolled at the University of Miami anyways.

There is a real need to sometimes keep witnesses anonymous, but this is dumb. Obviously Xavier Lucas is “Student-Athlete A.”

2. Wisconsin is Elevating Its NIL Contracts Above NCAA By-Laws

One of the most startling facts in the Complaint is that Wisconsin admitted that it refused to enter Lucas into the Transfer Portal for no reason other than it believed Lucas was breaching his NIL contract(s):

As Lucas’ attorney previously explained, that’s not how that works:

Yes. Wisconsin violated NCAA Bylaw 13.1.1.3.1, which required Wisconsin to enter Xavier Lucas’ information into the national transfer database within 2 business days. The NCAA now must punish Wisconsin for its blatant violation of the Bylaws. Failure to do so would be a clear… https://t.co/wo58kr6Lcd

— Darren Heitner (@DarrenHeitner) January 18, 2025

Wisconsin is obligated under NCAA Bylaws to timely enter into the Transfer Portal any athlete wishing to enter. Wisconsin admitting in court that the only reason it ignored an NCAA Bylaw was because of an NIL contract dispute is astonishing. It’s no secret that the NCAA is losing its influence/respect, but could the Badgers at least be subtle about it?

3. Wisconsin Sued Miami, Not Lucas, But Will Still Drag Lucas (and His Mother) Into Litigation

So if Lucas breached some contracts, why not sue the young man for breaching some contracts? He’s an adult, he signed those agreements, and he’s probably being paid a healthy enough sum that he can hire a lawyer and/or pay some sort of breach penalty.

The answer is obvious…it would be a really, really bad look for Wisconsin to start suing its players. So Lucas is not named as a defendant.

Instead, the Complaint bends over backwards to paint the University of Miami as the villain. While the majority of the Complaint is about Lucas, Wisconsin’s main claims are that Miami tortiously interfered with two contracts – one contract between Wisconsin and Lucas (the “University Contract”), and another contract between the NIL collective and Lucas (the “Collective Contract”). According to the Complaint, the Collective Contract would compensate Lucas before July 1, 2025 when the University Contract would kick-in (after the House v. NCAA settlement was expected to have been resolved).

Even if Wisconsin didn’t sue Lucas, he’s not going to escape being entangled in this litigation. To prove its case, Wisconsin must show that Lucas in-fact breached those contracts. Wisconsin also has to show that Miami’s interference caused the breaches. That second step would be unnecessary if Wisconsin had just sued Lucas! But by crafting the Complaint the way Wisconsin did, Wisconsin is telegraphing that Lucas and his mother will be necessary witnesses who should expect to be subpoenaed in this lawsuit.

The clear message from Wisconsin is this: if any student athlete dare to leave your NIL deal early, if we don’t sue you we will at least sue the school you transfer to, and we will not hesitate to drag you and your mother into the litigation. Wisconsin’s crazy if they think this won’t affect their recruiting.

4. Wisconsin’s Lawsuit is on the Heels of Getting Hit With Recruiting Violations

Speaking of Badgers recruiting, the timing of the lawsuit couldn’t be richer. Just last week, the NCAA announced that Coach Fickell’s staff committed recruiting violations in 2023 for impermissible contact with recruits. Wisconsin football staff members made 139 (!) calls to 48 (!!) recruits in violation of NCAA rules.

The aftermath is that Wisconsin is on a one-year probation, and a former assistant coach and a former director of player personnel were each slapped with a one-year show cause penalty. Boy, it sure would be hypocritical if the lynchpin of Wisconsin’s lawsuit is that Miami had “impermissible contacts” with a student athlete…

5. Fellow Big Ten Member Nebraska Did the Same Thing

While on the subject of hypocrisy, it’s a little known fact that last year the University of Nebraska pulled a similar stunt with a highly coveted prospect. Mac Markway was a four-star, top 250 overall prospect for LSU. Markway played for the Tigers his freshman season, but then abruptly unenrolled five practices into fall camp. A few days later, the story is that Markway worked with a sports agent to secretly transfer without ever entering the Transfer Portal. When interviewed, Markway’s dad said that his son wanted to transfer closer to home. Nebraska Coach Matt Rhule swore that he knew nothing about Markway until he showed up at practice one day asking to join the team.

There’s no reason not to believe the Husker’s story. It’s a nice story, and frankly LSU should be commended for not (publicly) putting up a fuss about Markway’s departure. It has to be disruptive when a highly rated prospect leaves in the middle of Fall camp. Although not reported on, it would be surprising if Markway hadn’t signed some sort of NIL deal with LSU.

But when Xavier Lucas says he wants to transfer near his Fort Lauderdale home because his father was “suffering from a serious, life-threatening illness,” apparently that’s a gross breach of contract. It’s fine when Nebraska “facilitated” Markway’s enrollment outside the transfer portal, but when Miami “facilitates” Lucas’ enrollment that’s “impermissible contact.”

6. If Wisconsin Wins, How Are Athletes Not Employees?

Whether student athletes should be considered “employees” is a subject of hot debate. Classifying student athletes as employees would have a host of implications including entitling them to minimum wage, overtime pay, and a right to form a labor union. The NCAA and its members have consistently taken the position that athletes are not employees. But if Wisconsin has its way and a court agrees that Wisconsin was justified in denying Lucas the right to transfer schools because of a contract with Wisconsin, how is Lucas not considered an employee who can be restricted from talking with other Universities (ahem, employers)? Bucky better be careful what he wishes for.

7. Workout Chats Now Mean You Are Program Committed

One thing the Complaint attempts to demonstrate is that Lucas was 1,000% committed to Wisconsin until big, bad Sebastian the Ibis swooped in and soiled Lucas with impure thoughts:

This only further demonstrates how strained it is for Wisconsin to sue Miami instead of just suing Lucas. Apparently, talking about weightlifting and shooting some social media videos means you’re in a committed relationship. Ask any college student if that’s true. It’s not.

8. Miami Allegedly Outbid One of Wisconsin’s Richest NIL Contracts in History

In one breath, the Complaint alleges that Lucas “was offered one of the largest NIL financial commitments of any [Wisconsin] athlete.” In another breath, Wisconsin alleges that Miami offered “financial terms more lucrative than those included in the [Wisconsin] Contracts.”

So if that’s true, is one of Wisconsin’s “largest NIL financial commitments” in history laughably small, or is Miami just that flush with cash?

By the way, a plausible reading of the Complaint allegations is that Lucas was railroaded into signing a new NIL agreement just days after Wisconsin’s end-of-season throttling by Minnesota, and he quickly realized how badly he got hosed and looked to transfer. If that’s the story, does Wisconsin really emerge as the good guy for low balling teenagers?

9. How Awkward Will It Be When Miami Joins the Big Ten?

The Big Ten issued a statement that it’s “supportive” of Wisconsin in its lawsuit. From the Big Ten’s perspective, it “believes that the University of Miami’s actions are irreconcilable with a sustainable college sports framework and is supportive of [Wisconsin]’s efforts to preserve it.”

The problem is that the next round of realignment is rapidly approaching, and Miami’s brand and strong TV ratings will be one of the most alluring additions. Miami has always been the villain – a role Hurricanes fans accept with glee – so perhaps this lawsuit is just priming the storylines for when Miami joins the Big Ten, not unlike a wrestling heel switching between WCW and WWE. The University of Miami has always been Razor Ramon, right?

10. But Seriously, What Damages?

Ultimately, the lawsuit seeks damages to compensate Wisconsin for the “loss of financial and promotional benefits [Wisconsin and its Collective] anticipated receiving” from Xavier Lucas’ NIL and participation on the football team. How you could calculate the loss of a freshman DB from a 5-7 football team is incomprehensible. How Wisconsin, not Lucas, would lose value because they could not promote his NIL is also incomprehensible. How many tickets will Wisconsin fail to sell to Lucas’ fans? How much will Lucas’ departure hinder the Big Ten from negotiating a new media rights deal? The world may never know…

…because this lawsuit will almost certainly settle. Wisconsin talked tough when Lucas forced his way to Miami, and evidently Wisconsin felt compelled to follow through with this lawsuit. In some ways it’s an important lawsuit because it could shape the future of NIL disputes in college athletics. In other ways, the lawsuit is extremely problematic. Most likely the later will carry the day, the schools will settle, and the Badgers and Hurricanes will be conference rivals a decade from now.

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San Diego State's Marko Sipila joins Ole Miss in transfer portal move

OXFORD, Miss. — Marko Sipila’s baseball journey has always been about timing. As the 6-foot-4 right-hander packed up his San Diego State jersey for the last time, he did so knowing Ole Miss would not just be another college chapter. For both Sipila and the Rebels, this transfer comes at a moment when the stakes […]

Published

2 hours ago

June 22, 2025

Your Sports Nation

San Diego State's Marko Sipila joins Ole Miss in transfer portal move

OXFORD, Miss. — Marko Sipila’s baseball journey has always been about timing.

As the 6-foot-4 right-hander packed up his San Diego State jersey for the last time, he did so knowing Ole Miss would not just be another college chapter.

For both Sipila and the Rebels, this transfer comes at a moment when the stakes could hardly be higher.

Sipila, who officially committed to Ole Miss this week, brings with him a season’s worth of steady results. In 2025, he posted a 3.91 ERA across 71.1 innings, racking up 74 strikeouts to just 25 walks.

His arsenal, anchored by a fastball that sits between 90 and 93 miles per hour and complemented by a splitter, slider, and curve, has made him one of the most sought-after pitchers in the NCAA transfer portal.

“I’m excited for this next opportunity and to be part of something special in Oxford,” Sipila said in a statement announcing his commitment.

The move is not just about numbers, though.

For Ole Miss, coming off a tumultuous period of roster turnover, Sipila’s arrival signals a return to stability.

Coach Mike Bianco and his staff have been navigating a portal era that has seen as many as 2,000 college baseball players seeking new homes nationwide, reshaping rosters and expectations in real-time.

“It’s been really good,” hitting coach Mike Clement told the Ole Miss Spirit. “We feel we have a pretty solid chance to get a good baseline and core back from last year’s team.

“So, a little bit different from the chaos of last season, where you felt you were building it a little more from the ground floor. We’re in a better spot with what we feel like we have.”

Sipila’s path to the SEC has been anything but linear. He began his collegiate career at Colorado-Colorado Springs before transferring to San Diego State, where his development accelerated.

Beyond his regular-season numbers, he impressed in summer ball for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox of the Cape Cod League, recording a 2.84 ERA and nine strikeouts in just three appearances.

Scouts have noted his poise and pitchability as reasons why he could quickly become a weekend starter in Oxford.

The Rebels’ offseason overhaul has been less dramatic than a year ago, but it’s still significant.

Departures include pitchers Riley Maddox, Connor Spencer, Mason Nichols, and several others who either graduated or entered the portal themselves.

Outfielders like Ryan Moerman and Mitchell Sanford are also moving on, forcing the staff to act decisively. Sipila is now the fifth addition via the transfer portal, joining a group that includes left-hander Grant Richardson from Grand Canyon and outfielder Daniel Pacella from Illinois State.

The NCAA’s transfer portal has changed the calculus for programs across the country. With a 45-day window for entry after the regular season, teams are forced to quickly evaluate talent and fit.

While the portal can create opportunities, it also leaves many players without a new home. Only about 45 percent of transfers found a school last cycle. For Sipila, landing at Ole Miss is both a testament to his talent and a reflection of how the transfer market now shapes college baseball’s balance of power.

Mike Bianco, entering his 25th season at the helm, has not shied away from the challenges or opportunities presented by the portal.

“The portal has proven huge as we try to get back to Omaha,” Bianco told local media earlier this month. “The key is not just bringing in talent, but the right kind of talent. We’re looking for guys who can handle the pressure of the SEC and who want to compete at the highest level.”

Sipila fits that mold. His strikeout-to-walk ratio, nearly three to one, suggests the kind of command that can play in a league notorious for patient hitters and deep lineups.

His ability to throw four pitches for strikes gives Bianco’s staff flexibility in how they deploy him, particularly with several rotation spots up for grabs heading into fall workouts.

For Sipila, the transition to the SEC is as much about embracing the moment as it is about proving himself. Born in Red Bank, New Jersey, and raised in Minnesota, he’s navigated the country’s baseball geography in search of the right fit.

“I’ve learned to adapt at every stop,” Sipila said in a phone interview after his visit to Oxford. “The competition in the SEC is what every college player wants. The crowds, the energy, the chance to play for something bigger, it’s why I’m here.”

Ole Miss fans, still not far removed from the euphoria of a national championship run in 2022, are looking for signs that the program’s brief downturn was just a blip.

The addition of Sipila and other portal standouts has fueled optimism that the Rebels can once again contend in the loaded SEC West.

As one longtime supporter put it, “pitching wins championships, and we just got a lot better on the mound.”

There are still questions to answer before opening day. The Rebels’ defense will need to jell after a series of departures in the outfield and middle infield.

The lineup, while returning several key pieces, must replace the production of hitters who have moved on. But with Sipila anchoring a revamped rotation, the path back to the postseason is suddenly much clearer.

The broader story, though, is not just about Sipila or Ole Miss. It’s about how the transfer portal is redefining college baseball.

Coaches now spend as much time recruiting established college players as they do high school prospects. Roster continuity is harder than ever, and programs are forced to adapt or fall behind.

“You have to be nimble,” Bianco said at a recent SEC coaches meeting. “The game is changing, and we have to change with it.”

As summer turns to fall and rosters take shape, Sipila’s journey from San Diego to Oxford stands as an example of what’s possible in the new era.

For Ole Miss, it’s a chance to reset expectations and remind the baseball world that talent, no matter where it comes from, can still find a home (and the spotlight) in Oxford.

NIL

USC Trojans’ NIL, Recruiting Success Making Noise After Luke Wafle Commitment

The USC Trojans have the No. 1-ranked recruiting class in the nation thanks to USC coach Lincoln Riley and his coaching staff landing some of the top prospects in the class of 2026. With how well USC is recruiting, the Trojans are also having success with name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals. The USC Trojans […]

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2 hours ago

June 22, 2025

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Sep 21, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley on the sideline in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images / Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Nov 16, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley watches game action against — Sep 21, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley on the sideline in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images / Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

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Here is the latest ACC sports news from The Associated Press | NFL

Published

2 hours ago

June 21, 2025

Your Sports Nation

UNDATED (AP) — The University of Wisconsin and its NIL collective have sued the University of Miami, saying it knowingly induced one of the Badgers’ football players to abandon a lucrative name, image and likeness contract to play for the Florida school this fall. The suit could have a a wider impact on future NIL deals across college athletics. The case describes facts that line up with the situation involving cornerback Xavier Lucas, who last December announced plans to leave the Badgers. Miami did not have an immediate comment.

NEW YORK (AP) — A former Syracuse University basketball player has told the jury at Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex trafficking trial that the music mogul got “extremely creative” when he was on drugs. Brendan Paul testified on Friday about working for Combs for 18 months. Paul was arrested at a Miami airport in March 2024 with cocaine he says belonged to Combs. His testimony comes as prosecutors are winding down their case, and are expected to rest by Monday. A defense presentation is expected to last from two to five days. Combs has pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking and racketeering charges.

UNDATED (AP) — Rutgers freshman Dylan Harper is the headliner among the guards in the upcoming NBA draft. The son of former NBA guard Ron Harper is positioned to be the No. 2 overall pick behind Duke’s Cooper Flagg. Harper is one of several one-and-done talents at the position in this draft. That include Baylor’s VJ Edgecombe, Texas’ Tre Johnson, Oklahoma’s Jeremiah Fears and Illinois’ Kasparas Jakucionis. They’re all potential top-10 picks in the draft. Other notable players at the position include Michigan State’s Jase Richardson, BYU’s Egor Demin and international prospect Nolan Traore. The first round of the draft is Wednesday.

UNDATED (AP) — Stanley Borden, the final basketball player still in college to have played for Mike Krzyzewski, says he is transferring to UTSA from Duke. The 7-foot Borden was a walk-on for the Blue Devils, joining the team in 2021 — the last of the Hall of Fame coach’s career. Despite not getting on the court much, he had fond memories of his time under Coach K. Borden had one year of eligibility left after he didn’t play his junior year because of injuries. He wanted to find a school that he could play at in his final season of college basketball so he entered the portal.

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Duke has hired Corey Muscara as its baseball coach. The school announced the hire Thursday. That came a little more than a week after Chris Pollard left following 13 seasons to take over at Virginia. Muscara had spent the past four season as an assistant at Wake Forest and worked with the pitching staff. The Blue Devils reached four NCAA super regionals and won two Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament titles under Pollard.

UNDATED (AP) — College sports was once rooted in tradition, school pride and loyalty, but those expectations are changing in a landscape where athletes have won the ability to transfer season to season, year to year. Some are painted as disloyal or selfish. Athletes like Hailey Van Lith and Ray Davis don’t see it that way. Both played at three schools on their way to the pros, Van Lith in the WNBA and Davis in the NFL. They said decisions are not always about money and noted that coaches and other team staff can also leave for new opportunities.

UNDATED (AP) — Varsity Spirit is starting a professional cheerleading league promising to pay athletes. The Pro Cheer League joins a crowded niche sports market that already includes softball, volleyball, 3-x-3 basketball, lacrosse, indoor football and more clamoring for both fans’ attention and their dollars. This new league is billed as the first professional cheerleading league for athletes 18 and older to give cheerleaders the chance to keep competing after college. Bill Seely is the president of Varsity Spirit in Memphis, Tennessee. He sees plenty of opportunity for all these sports to succeed. This cheer league’s advantage comes from the sport’s growth since the 1970s.