A Baton Rouge federal judge heard arguments Tuesday from both sides of a lawsuit brought by Last-Tear Poa, a former LSU women’s basketball guard whose filing raises questions about the financial opportunities available to international athletes in a new age of collegiate sports. Poa, a native of Australia, is a college basketball player subject to […]
A Baton Rouge federal judge heard arguments Tuesday from both sides of a lawsuit brought by Last-Tear Poa, a former LSU women’s basketball guard whose filing raises questions about the financial opportunities available to international athletes in a new age of collegiate sports.
Poa, a native of Australia, is a college basketball player subject to U.S. immigration laws that place tight constraints on which off-campus employment opportunities she can pursue. She filed the suit, one of her lawyers has said, so she could contest a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) decision to deny her a visa that would have eased some of those restrictions — and therefore allow her to profit off her name, image and likeness (NIL) more freely.
The filing is believed to be the first legal challenge tossed at that policy since the NCAA began allowing its athletes to strike endorsement deals in 2021.
In January, defendants from USCIS filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit — the matter at the center of Tuesday’s hearing before U.S. District Judge Brian Jackson.
“There seems to be a gap,” Jackson said, “that regulators have not addressed, that Congress has not addressed, that leaves some athletes out in the cold.”
Amy Maldonado, a Michigan immigration attorney representing Poa, said Tuesday that compensation is a “critical issue” for international collegiate athletes. She then posed the question of whether current immigration laws even allow those players to earn a share of athletic-department revenue under the proposed terms of the potential landmark House settlement.
Current USCIS policy allows international students to accept off-campus employment opportunities, but only if the work is related to their major and if they first obtain special permission. To remove those restrictions, international athletes can apply for a P-1A athlete visa, a classification typically reserved for professionals who move to the U.S. solely to compete in their respective sports or amateurs who play at an “internationally recognized level of performance.”
Poa applied for that visa, but USCIS denied it in July.
On Tuesday, U.S. attorney Alexandra McTague said that the “plain language” of the rule did not apply to Poa, an international student not in the U.S. only so she can play basketball. She’s also there to attend a university and work toward a degree, McTague said, two prerequisites for her eligibility to compete at the NCAA level.
Maldonado disagreed, arguing that Poa did, in fact, move to the U.S. for the primary purpose of playing college basketball. She should be allowed to obtain a P-1A visa, Maldonado said, in the absence of a specific policy tailored to new-age international collegiate athletes.
Such a classification does not yet exist, though David Weber — a Creighton law professor who specializes in NIL issues that affect international collegiate athletes — said in November that Poa’s lawsuit could lead to a new policy.
“What (the lawsuit) might do — and what is now overdue,” Weber told The Advocate, “is it might force USCIS to revise their policies and procedures for international college athletes. Since July 1, 2021, they have been in a wait-and-see mode, and this lawsuit or other similar ones like it might finally give them the motivation to now make some updates or changes to the regulations governing student visas.”
Florida immigration attorney Ksenia Maiorova, another lawyer representing Poa, told The Advocate shortly after the lawsuit was filed that the former LSU guard also was hoping to raise awareness about the barriers that wall off international athletes from NIL deals while pursuing her visa.
“The purpose here is just to get a fair adjudication of her petition,” Maiorova said. “This is a case that is seeking a review by an impartial body of a denial that we feel is unjust.”
Poa, a senior who spent the first two seasons of her career at a junior college, can play one more year of college basketball. She would’ve exhausted her eligibility at the end of the 2024-25 season had a separate lawsuit filed by Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia not led the NCAA to grant hundreds of former junior-college athletes an extra year of eligibility.
In April, Poa decided to play her final season at Arizona State.
She appeared in 102 games across three years at LSU, including the one in which the program took home its first national championship.
Jackson won’t rule on the motion to dismiss Poa’s lawsuit until at least both parties file post-hearing briefs, which he said are due by June 13.
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COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Head softball coach Lauren Karn, entering her third season at the helm of the Terrapins, in conjunction with the Big Ten Conference, has announced Maryland’s 2026 Big Ten softball schedule. The Terps will open their conference slate at home at the Maryland Softball Complex, hosting Rutgers […]
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Head softball coach Lauren Karn, entering her third season at the helm of the Terrapins, in conjunction with the Big Ten Conference, has announced Maryland’s 2026 Big Ten softball schedule.
The Terps will open their conference slate at home at the Maryland Softball Complex, hosting Rutgers for a three-game series from March 6–8.
Maryland will then travel to the West Coast to face Washington in a three-game series from March 13–15, before returning to College Park to host Indiana from March 20–22.
The Terps will hit the road for back-to-back weekends, heading to Madison to face Wisconsin (March 27–29), followed by a trip to University Park to take on Penn State (April 3–5).
Maryland returns home for two consecutive weekends, welcoming Oregon to the Maryland Softball Complex from April 10–12, followed by a series against Illinois from April 17–18.
The Terps will close out their Big Ten regular season schedule on the road, traveling to East Lansing to face Michigan State from April 24–26.
Maryland looks to rebound from last season’s 16th-place finish in the Big Ten and make a push for a return to the Big Ten Softball Tournament.
Rebuilding Pac-12 reaches deal with CBS for its football and men’s basketball games
Associated Press The Pac-12 struck a media-rights deal with CBS on Monday that sets up the network to broadcast a minimum of four football and men’s basketball games per season on its main network and provide a cable and streaming presence for the reconfigured league from 2026-31. Financial details of the new deal were not […]
The Pac-12 struck a media-rights deal with CBS on Monday that sets up the network to broadcast a minimum of four football and men’s basketball games per season on its main network and provide a cable and streaming presence for the reconfigured league from 2026-31.
Financial details of the new deal were not disclosed. Conference Commissioner Teresa Gould called it a “transformational partnership” that allows the Pac-12 to grow when it starts as a remodeled league in 2026-27.
An inability to secure a media deal is what nearly cratered the league in 2023, with all but Oregon State and Washington State departing for the Big 12, Atlantic Coast and Big Ten Conferences.
The Pac-12 already had deals in place to put all of the two remaining teams’ football games on the CW, ESPN and CBS for the upcoming season.
The new deal with what the league calls its “primary long-term media partner” kicks in the next season, when Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Utah State and San Diego State will join the Pac-12 in all sports, with Gonzaga joining in everything but football.
The Pac-12 needs to add another football program to reach the minimum eight teams necessary to be in the Football Bowl Subdivision and, thus, the College Football Playoff. Multiple reports say Texas State has emerged as the top candidate.
Under the new deal, CBS will broadcast at least three regular-season football and men’s basketball games per season, along with the championship games for both sports. The league also will have what it called a “consistent regular-season presence” on the cable CBS Sports Network.
Details are still being finalized as Pac-12 media negotiator, Octagon, works on finding additional media partners for the league.
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AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
The University of Wisconsin and its NIL collective VC Connect filed a joint lawsuit on Friday against the University of Miami alleging 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 upcoming season. What You Need To Know The […]
The University of Wisconsin and its NIL collective VC Connect filed a joint lawsuit on Friday against the University of Miami alleging 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 upcoming season.
What You Need To Know
The University of Wisconsin and its NIL collective have sued the University of Miami
It said 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
Allegations of tampering rarely get to this level and the 23-page lawsuit, which was filed in state court in Wisconsin and obtained by The Associated Press, is unusual. Depending on its resolution, it could have a a wider impact on future NIL deals across college athletics.
The player in question in the filing is referred to only as “Student-Athlete A.” But the case summary describes facts that line up with the situation involving cornerback Xavier Lucas, who last December announced his plans to enter the transfer portal.
Shortly afterward, Darren Heitner, who has been representing Lucas, indicated that Wisconsin was refusing to put Lucas’ name in the portal and that it was hindering his ability to talk with other schools. In January, Heitner announced that Lucas would be playing for Miami this fall.
The situation is fallout from the rapid changes engulfing college athletics, specifically a combination of two things: Athletes went to court and won the ability to transfer with much more freedom and the 2021 NCAA decision clearing the way for them to strike NIL endorsement deals now worth millions of dollars. That has changed the recruiting landscape and forced the issue of contracts and signed commitments to the fore.
“Indeed, student-athletes’ newfound NIL rights will be rendered meaningless if third parties are allowed to induce student-athletes to abandon their contractual commitments,” a portion of the lawsuit reads.
Wisconsin said in January that it had credible information that Miami and Lucas made impermissible contact with each other before the former Badgers cornerback decided to transfer.
Wisconsin and VC Connect allege that the inducement for Lucas to attend Miami happened within days of him entering his NIL agreement to play for the Badgers, and that they incurred substantial monetary and reputational harm. The lawsuit seeks unspecified monetary damages and “a declaration that Miami’s conduct directed towards Student-Athlete A constituted tampering.”
A message left with the University of Miami seeking comment was not immediately returned. In a text message Friday, Heitner declined to comment on the lawsuit but he said that Lucas still plans to attend Miami and play football.
Wisconsin said it had the support of its leadership and the Big Ten Conference in filing the lawsuit, noting its commitment to “ensuring integrity and fundamental fairness in the evolving landscape of college athletics.”
“While we reluctantly bring this case, we stand by our position that respecting and enforcing contractual obligations is essential to maintaining a level playing field,” the statement said. “In addition to our legal action, we will continue to be proactive to protect the interests of our student-athletes, our program and the broader collegiate athletics community.
Lucas, who is from Pompano Beach, Florida, had 12 tackles, an interception and a sack as a freshman for Wisconsin last season.
Heitner said that Lucas hasn’t received any money from Wisconsin and therefore owes no money to the school. Heitner also argued that Wisconsin had violated an NCAA bylaw by not entering Lucas into the transfer database within two business days of the player’s request.
Wisconsin issued a statement at the time saying it hadn’t put Lucas’ name in the portal because he had entered a two-year binding NIL agreement.
In April, the surprise transfers of brothers Nico and Madden Iamaleava from Tennessee to UCLA prompted fresh questions about contracts and buyouts.
Nico Iamaleava, who led Tennessee to the College Football Playoff last season, walked away from a reported $2.4 million NIL contract. Arkansas freshman quarterback Madden Iamaleava entered the portal after spring practices wrapped up.
Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek released a statement indicating he would support efforts by the Razorbacks’ NIL collective to enforce buyout clauses in athlete contracts. Iamaleava reportedly had a contract valued at $500,000 upon signing with Arkansas.
Deion Sanders’ son shares video of Colorado coach to give health update
Deion Sanders’ eldest son has shared an encouraging video of the Hall of Famer as the Colorado head coach continues to recover from an undisclosed health issue Deion Sanders recently took a break from coaching at Colorado(Image: Getty Images) Deion Sanders’ eldest son, Deion Jr., has served up some reassuring news regarding the renowned Colorado […]
Deion Sanders’ eldest son has shared an encouraging video of the Hall of Famer as the Colorado head coach continues to recover from an undisclosed health issue
Deion Sanders recently took a break from coaching at Colorado(Image: Getty Images)
Deion Sanders’ eldest son, Deion Jr., has served up some reassuring news regarding the renowned Colorado head coach’s health woes, releasing a video of the Pro Football Hall of Famer enjoying some fishing.
There’s been a bit of worry circulating about Sanders’ condition these past few weeks. The 57-year-old NFL legend took a hiatus from Boulder and jetted back to his Texas property, missing out on the yearly youth camps he’s known for leading.
The details of the illness remain under wraps, as neither Sanders nor Colorado has spilled any specifics. But come Sunday, Junior dropped a clip from their angling jaunt that featured ‘Coach Prime’ at the helm of a vessel in the Lone Star State.
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The footage also includes former Colorado star and Heisman Trophy victor Travis Hunter, who the Jacksonville Jaguars snagged as the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
“It’s a beautiful thing,” Deion Jr. says in the footage. “Coach Prime back active, moving around. God is great. Not back active moving around, but it’s progress.”
Looking ahead, Sanders Sr. plans to show his face on July 9 at a Big 12 media day. Colorado gets its season rolling by hosting Georgia Tech at Folsom Field come August 29.
Sanders’ son has posted a video of his father fishing amid concerns about his health(Image: Well Off Media)
It was June 11 when Sanders Sr. last spoke publicly about his health status. “I can assure you all that everything is OK and will continue to be so,” he wrote on social media.
“I’m excited to get back to Colorado to be at home with my staff, team and all associated to our program. When we arrive back to Boulder you will be updated on everything.”
The Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers legend, who also played in Major League Baseball, has grappled with some serious health setbacks.
Following repeated complications from blood clots, he underwent procedures that resulted in the loss of two toes back in 2021.
Taking charge of the Buffaloes, Sanders turned a struggling one-win team into contenders over two successful seasons. The Colorado squad showcased some serious style, finishing with a strong 9-4 record in 2024 and just shy of making it to the Big 12 title game and the College Football Playoff.
With the dawn of the 2025 season bringing a wave of change, Sanders will see his sons, Shedeur and Shilo, along with Hunter, taking their game to the NFL pros. Alongside them, several starting players have also exited the roster.
Liberty transfer Kaidon Salter will step into Shedeur’s quarterback role at Colorado, with five-star hotshot Julian ‘Ju Ju’ Lewis as a promising backup.
Heading into the new season, the Buffaloes boast bragging rights with the No. 24 recruiting class and the No. 19 transfer class. High-profile additions like Chauncey Gooden, Carde Smith, and London Merritt are set to wear Colorado’s colors.
The University of Wisconsin and its NIL collective VC Connect filed a joint lawsuit on Friday against the University of Miami alleging 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 upcoming season. What You Need To Know The […]
The University of Wisconsin and its NIL collective VC Connect filed a joint lawsuit on Friday against the University of Miami alleging 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 upcoming season.
What You Need To Know
The University of Wisconsin and its NIL collective have sued the University of Miami
It said 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
Allegations of tampering rarely get to this level and the 23-page lawsuit, which was filed in state court in Wisconsin and obtained by The Associated Press, is unusual. Depending on its resolution, it could have a a wider impact on future NIL deals across college athletics.
The player in question in the filing is referred to only as “Student-Athlete A.” But the case summary describes facts that line up with the situation involving cornerback Xavier Lucas, who last December announced his plans to enter the transfer portal.
Shortly afterward, Darren Heitner, who has been representing Lucas, indicated that Wisconsin was refusing to put Lucas’ name in the portal and that it was hindering his ability to talk with other schools. In January, Heitner announced that Lucas would be playing for Miami this fall.
The situation is fallout from the rapid changes engulfing college athletics, specifically a combination of two things: Athletes went to court and won the ability to transfer with much more freedom and the 2021 NCAA decision clearing the way for them to strike NIL endorsement deals now worth millions of dollars. That has changed the recruiting landscape and forced the issue of contracts and signed commitments to the fore.
“Indeed, student-athletes’ newfound NIL rights will be rendered meaningless if third parties are allowed to induce student-athletes to abandon their contractual commitments,” a portion of the lawsuit reads.
Wisconsin said in January that it had credible information that Miami and Lucas made impermissible contact with each other before the former Badgers cornerback decided to transfer.
Wisconsin and VC Connect allege that the inducement for Lucas to attend Miami happened within days of him entering his NIL agreement to play for the Badgers, and that they incurred substantial monetary and reputational harm. The lawsuit seeks unspecified monetary damages and “a declaration that Miami’s conduct directed towards Student-Athlete A constituted tampering.”
A message left with the University of Miami seeking comment was not immediately returned. In a text message Friday, Heitner declined to comment on the lawsuit but he said that Lucas still plans to attend Miami and play football.
Wisconsin said it had the support of its leadership and the Big Ten Conference in filing the lawsuit, noting its commitment to “ensuring integrity and fundamental fairness in the evolving landscape of college athletics.”
“While we reluctantly bring this case, we stand by our position that respecting and enforcing contractual obligations is essential to maintaining a level playing field,” the statement said. “In addition to our legal action, we will continue to be proactive to protect the interests of our student-athletes, our program and the broader collegiate athletics community.
Lucas, who is from Pompano Beach, Florida, had 12 tackles, an interception and a sack as a freshman for Wisconsin last season.
Heitner said that Lucas hasn’t received any money from Wisconsin and therefore owes no money to the school. Heitner also argued that Wisconsin had violated an NCAA bylaw by not entering Lucas into the transfer database within two business days of the player’s request.
Wisconsin issued a statement at the time saying it hadn’t put Lucas’ name in the portal because he had entered a two-year binding NIL agreement.
In April, the surprise transfers of brothers Nico and Madden Iamaleava from Tennessee to UCLA prompted fresh questions about contracts and buyouts.
Nico Iamaleava, who led Tennessee to the College Football Playoff last season, walked away from a reported $2.4 million NIL contract. Arkansas freshman quarterback Madden Iamaleava entered the portal after spring practices wrapped up.
Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek released a statement indicating he would support efforts by the Razorbacks’ NIL collective to enforce buyout clauses in athlete contracts. Iamaleava reportedly had a contract valued at $500,000 upon signing with Arkansas.
(via silentpyrotechnics/IG)
