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Livvy Dunne Retires

Published

3 weeks ago

April 18, 2025

Livvy Dunne, a prominent 22-year-old gymnast and social media influencer, has announced her retirement from gymnastics following LSU’s failure to secure a spot in the national championship for the third consecutive year. She shared her decision on X, expressing gratitude for her gymnastics journey. Over her five years at LSU, Dunne became the highest-paid female collegiate athlete, leveraging her platform for advocacy in female sports and fair compensation for athletes. Despite stepping back from gymnastics, she aims to continue supporting female athletes in future endeavors, underscoring the importance of utilizing NIL opportunities in college.

By the Numbers

Dunne’s endorsements valued at approximately $4.1 million.
She has amassed 5.3 million followers on Instagram.

State of Play

The LSU gymnastics team finished third in the NCAA semifinals, marking the end of their season.
This was the third straight year the team missed out on a national championship.

What’s Next

Dunne plans to focus on advocacy for female athletes and potentially explore new sponsorship opportunities to influence the sports landscape positively.

Bottom Line

Livvy Dunne’s retirement marks the conclusion of a successful collegiate career, but her influence as a figure championing gender equality in sports is just beginning.

Related Topics:athlete bottom college gymnastics media new nil season social sports team

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Yormark’s extension, Trump’s commission, CFP expansion

The offseason is definitely not the slow season as yet another week delivered news impacting both the Pac-12 legacy schools and other universities across the region. Here are four developments you might have missed. 1. Extension for Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark Nitty gritty: Yormark, whose contract was set to expire in 2027, received a […]

Published

16 minutes ago

May 10, 2025

Your Sports Nation

The offseason is definitely not the slow season as yet another week delivered news impacting both the Pac-12 legacy schools and other universities across the region.

Here are four developments you might have missed.

1. Extension for Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark

Nitty gritty: Yormark, whose contract was set to expire in 2027, received a three-year extension from the board of directors that expires in the summer of 2030.

Why it matters: The extension itself is no surprise: Yormark has done first-rate work changing the conference’s membership structure and building its brand. But the timing is deeply significant, in that it allows Yormark to shape the future.

The Big 12’s media rights agreement expires in the summer of 2031, which means the next contract likely will be signed and sealed in the spring of 2030 — during Yormark’s tenure. (Media deals are typically formalized 12-to-18 months in advance of the start date.)

Assuming he doesn’t leave the Big 12 on his own volition, Yormark will lead the strategic decisions on expansion and network partners and, with hand-picked advisors, negotiate the media deal for 2031 and beyond.

But that’s not all. That’s not close to all.

The extension means Yormark will be atop the Big 12 during the vital 2028-29 window, when 1) the College Football Playoff examines format changes, 2) the Big Ten mulls expansion for its next media contract cycle and 3) the ACC’s top football brands consider leaving the conference as their exit fees plunge.

Whatever college football becomes in the 2030s, the shape likely will become clear in the final years of the 2020s. Yormark’s extension gives him the chance to position the Big 12 within the shifting landscape.

2. Presidential commission on college sports

Nitty gritty: The Trump Administration is reportedly preparing to appoint a commission to study college sports and seek solutions to many of the industry’s intractable issues. Former Alabama coach Nick Saban and billionaire Cody Campbell, a Texas Tech booster, are expected to lead the group, according to Yahoo.

Why it matters: College sports is devolving into anarchy with the transfer portal, unchecked NIL payments and a competition calendar that’s increasingly unwieldy.

Even the House vs. NCAA lawsuit settlement, which will create a revenue-sharing model and NIL enforcement mechanism, is limited in scope (if approved). It will not, for example, end the barrage of antitrust cases filed against the NCAA over its amateurism policies.

A collectively bargained agreement with college athletes would provide the desired law and order but requires the players to be declared employees, a step university presidents are reluctant to take.

The other option: A liferaft from Congress, which has the authority to provide antitrust protection and codify NCAA rules. But years of lobbying by college sports officials have gone nowhere.

Trump’s commission won’t have the authority to make material changes on the legal front, but it could, potentially, generate the momentum that spurs lawmakers to act.

“I’m always a bit reluctant to have the federal government poking around in my business, invited or uninvited,” an industry source told the Hotline. “However, in this case, it might potentially do some good to get some of the higher-level issues figured out.”

3. College Football Playoff expansion … to 16?

Nitty gritty: The ACC, Big 12, Big Ten and SEC commissioners met this week in New York and discussed the future of the CFP, with a 16-team event “more preferred” for the contract cycle starting in 2026, according to ESPN.

Why it matters: To this point, the media narrative around CFP expansion has focused on a 14-team field. Now, it appears, the power conferences are focused on 16 — and increasing the number of at-large berths.

The model most likely to be adopted would provide four automatic bids to the SEC and Big Ten, two to the ACC and Big 12, one to the top team from the Group of Six, which includes the rebuilt Pac-12, and three to at-large teams. (It’s referred to as 4-4-2-2-1-3 by the commissioners.)

Notre Dame would have a manageable pathway to one of the at-large bids, leaving two for additional teams from the power leagues.

The move to 16 is straight out of the more-is-better playbook, but there’s a trick to making expansion work: the calendar.

In order to limit the event to four rounds, all 16 teams would compete the weekend before Christmas.

Where would the four additional CFP games be slotted into a crowded sports window that includes NFL games on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday?

Would ESPN, which owns the playoff rights, want the extra games? Would it sub-license them to TNT or TBS? And how much would the network pay for additional matchups that aren’t likely to generate impactful ratings?

Those are critical details that must be considered as the CFP’s powerbrokers push for more-more-more.

4. Next step for Pac-12, Mountain West

Nitty gritty: The conferences have agreed to mediate their legal disputes — yep, both of them:

The so-called “poaching-penalty” case, filed by the Pac-12 against the Mountain West over $55 million in fees; and the so-called “exit fee case,” filed by Boise State, Colorado State and Utah State against the Mountain West over at least $100 million in exit fees owed by the departing schools.

The first mediation session is scheduled for May 19.

Why it matters: Neither conference wants a court trial; university presidents never want court trials. So mediation was always the most likely outcome for both cases.

One mediator, who is not identified in court filings, will oversee both cases.

We don’t expect an immediate resolution. The process could take a few days or a few weeks. It probably won’t last a few months, however, because both restructured conferences need clarity as they negotiate media rights agreements for the 2026-27 competition year.

Based on conversations with sources, the Hotline gives the Pac-12 a slight advantage in the poaching penalty case and the Mountain West a slight edge in the exit fee case.

In both instances, it’s about a suitable dollar figure — and whether the final tally leaves the Mountain West with enough cash to meet its financial obligations to UNLV and Air Force and prevent the duo from possibly departing the conference.

*** Send suggestions, comments and tips (confidentiality guaranteed) to wilnerhotline@bayareanewsgroup.com or call 408-920-5716

*** Follow me on the social media platform X: @WilnerHotline

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2025 SEC Softball Tournament: Trisha Ford reacts to ‘unfortunate’ championship game cancellation

After a more than 2.5-hour delay, the SEC announced the 2025 softball tournament championship would be canceled due to weather. The game was set to start at 1 p.m. after an earlier schedule change, but the tarp remained on the field in Athens ahead of Oklahoma vs. Texas A&M. Afterward, Aggies coach Trisha Ford shared […]

Published

20 minutes ago

May 10, 2025

Your Sports Nation

After a more than 2.5-hour delay, the SEC announced the 2025 softball tournament championship would be canceled due to weather. The game was set to start at 1 p.m. after an earlier schedule change, but the tarp remained on the field in Athens ahead of Oklahoma vs. Texas A&M.

Afterward, Aggies coach Trisha Ford shared her reaction to the decision. She pointed out the need to make sure the two teams could play a full game as one of the many “factors” that played into the move.

The title game was originally scheduled for 5 p.m. ET on Saturday, but the conference shifted it to 1 p.m. in anticipation of weather in the area. As a result of the cancellation, OU and Texas A&M were co-tournament champions, and Ford pointed out the amount of rain at Jack Turner Stadium as a reason for the move.

“There’s just a lot of factors [that went into it],” Ford said, via The Eagle’s Robert Cessna. “It hasn’t stopped raining since about noon today. It [didn’t] look like we’d get a window big enough for us to be able to play a game. So with just the field conditions and then for everybody being able to get home safely [it was] just one of those unfortunate things.”

The coaches for both teams met for a long period of time behind home plate at Jack Turner Stadium during a break in the rain, but it started again shortly thereafter. Ultimately, the league made the decision not to play the game. Oklahoma gets the SEC’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament as the regular-season champion, but both teams will appear in the bracket during Sunday’s reveal show.

“Due to inclement weather now and predicted for the rest of the day, today’s championship game will not be played,” SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said in a statement announcing the cancellation. “Both Oklahoma and Texas A&M are declared co-champions for the 2025 SEC softball tournament. Congratulations to the Sooners and the Aggies, and best of luck to both teams in the postseason!

“Thank you to Georgia for hosting a tremendous tournament all week. Thank you to all the fans for attending the 2025 SEC softball tournament, and please arrive home safely.”

Now, the debate will be about which program will come in as the No. 1 overall seed in Sunday’s bracket reveal. Texas A&M headed into Saturday ranked as the top team in the country while Oklahoma came in at No. 2.

Both the Sooners and Aggies will find out their NCAA Tournament fate during Sunday’s selection show. The bracket reveal is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

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College Football Playoff Expansion Coming Soon? Big Ten, SEC Automatic Bids

The 12-team College Football Playoff format made its debut in the 2024 season, but changes to the amount of teams allowed into the postseason appear on the horizon. According to reports from Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger, the leaders of all the power four conferences met this past weekend in New York to discuss the format […]

Published

44 minutes ago

May 10, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Oregon coach Dan Lanning at the Oregon spring game — Oregon coach Dan Lanning greets Fighting Ducks running back Jayden Limar before the game as the Fighting Ducks face off against Mighty Oregon in the Oregon Ducks spring game on April 26, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard (18) throws during the first half of the College Football Playoff — Oregon coach Dan Lanning greets Fighting Ducks running back Jayden Limar before the game as the Fighting Ducks face off against Mighty Oregon in the Oregon Ducks spring game on April 26, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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Phantom Island Podcast: Building an Offensive Line in the Portal/NIL era

Fucking amazing podcast by Stephan Godfrey and Parker Flemming (@statsofwar). The talk scheme, they talk advanced analytics, and just general narrative around offensive line. Spotify Link This summary won’t do the pod justice, you should listen yourself, but the big takeaways: For the first time in the history of CFB, there is evidence that – […]

Published

1 hour ago

May 10, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Fucking amazing podcast by Stephan Godfrey and Parker Flemming (@statsofwar). The talk scheme, they talk advanced analytics, and just general narrative around offensive line.

Spotify Link

This summary won’t do the pod justice, you should listen yourself, but the big takeaways:

For the first time in the history of CFB, there is evidence that – specifically on the offensive line – raw talent matters far more than continunity. This is evidenced by the fact that there is an inverse relationship between snaps played together (amongst offensive linemen) and winning percentage. The explanation is that if you have 5 guys playing together 85% of the time, it’s likely not because those 5 guys work so well together; it’s because you don’t have any depth, and in all likelihood there is a weakness amongst those 5 guys.
Offensive schemes are simplifying because offensive linemen are more evenly distributed across the sport. The RPO is the easiest way to deal with this problem (along with shifts/misdirection/motion). They talk a lot about the % of protections called, etc
When looking for OL in the portal, you need a scheme fit for the player. As a result, coaches are dumbing down their offenses in order to make it easier for OL to quickly learn the system. We’re seeing less variety in offensive schemes/playcalls (per PFF – again, there is data backing this up). Disappointing for fans that offenses will likely continue to become more homogenous over the next five years.
Paradoxically, the dearth of offensive linemen means that development is more important than ever before, but due to the portal, it’s even harder to retain (and thus develop) talent than ever before. Obviously, no one has solved for this issue yet.

Really fascinating listen, highly recommend.

DISCLAIMER: Forum topics may not have been written or edited by The Key Play staff.

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NIL in high school? Next-gen athletes balance books, brands in new era

Gregory Graves | Cronkite News GCU President Brian Mueller on joining Mountain West, impact on NIL Grand Canyon University President Brian Mueller talked to the media about the impact joining the Mountain West Conference will have on NIL growth. PHOENIX – In the evolving world of amateur sports, the three-letter acronym NIL has begun rewriting […]

Published

1 hour ago

May 10, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Gregory Graves
| Cronkite News

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 among 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

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.

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.

See the top 10 high school stadiums in Arizona

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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.

For more stories from Cronkite News, visit cronkitenews.azpbs.org.

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Kentucky Wildcats Basketball Commit Signs Major Agency for NIL Representation

The Kentucky Wildcats’ men’s basketball program is one of the preeminent blue bloods in the sport today. Their long track record of success on the hardwood continues to see them land the biggest-named recruits, and in an era of Name, Image, and Likeness, that brings with it an entirely different landscape than it once did. […]

Published

2 hours ago

May 10, 2025

Your Sports Nation

With the implementation of NIL, collegiate athletes, specifically those expected to become big stars, are now signing with talent agencies for representation in their NIL negotiations. On Friday, one of the Wildcats’ commits joined the ranks of those players when the announcement was made that he would be signing with CAA.

Jasper Johnson, a four-star shooting guard commit from Overtime Elite in Lexington, Kentucky, announced via his Instagram Friday night that he is now being represented by CAA Sports for NIL representation.

CAA is one of the leading talent agencies in the country. Their client list contains superstar hoopers like Devin Booker, Karl-Anthony Towns, Donovan Mitchell, Chris Paul, and recent college basketball superstar Cooper Flagg.

The agency’s talent does not only exist within basketball, however. They have stars in the NFL (Josh Allen, Saquon Barkley, and CeeDee Lamb among others), MLB (Shohei Ohtani, Marcell Ozuna, and Trea Turner among others), and even in entertainment (Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, Brad Pitt, and Zendaya). Joining the ranks of these superstars in and out of their fields is definitely an accomplishment.

Johnson was previously represented by Nate Conley of Court XIV. Conley also worked with fellow Kentucky stars Oscar Tshiebwe and Rob Dillingham, as well as five-star recruit Anthony Thompson, who is a major target for the Wildcats for 2026.

Johnson, listed at 6’4, 170 pounds, is a dangerous scorer with serious superstar potential. The guard committed to Kentucky in September, officially signing with the program in the early period in November. 24/7 Sports has Johnson ranked as the 24th-best recruit in the nation for his class.

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