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Madkour

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Madkour


Highlights of my conversations with sports leaders after two weeks on the West Coast.

• Discussion around growth focused on women’s sports, ranging from investment in sponsorships; media rights; merchandise; player IP; female-specific performance data and training facilities; and stadiums. Fans sense that the brands sponsoring women’s sports “stand for something,” which makes the organizations feel positive about building their brand through that platform. Sponsorship of women’s sports feels different for fans than sponsorship of men’s sports, which feels more transactional. The second most popular growth area was the professionalization around college sports. Despite animus toward the transfer portal, there is wide-eyed optimism around many other areas in the collegiate landscape, especially the revenue opportunities in the venues, adjacent entertainment districts, more commercial inventory at higher price points and overall smarter use of the entire footprint. Related to that, there is tremendous interest around creating programming for 24/7, 365 use of all sports venues and neighboring developments, but there aren’t a lot of examples of teams, events or organizations doing it well.

• Young fans’ avidity today is with athletes and not teams, making the athlete’s intellectual property one of the greatest revenue-growth opportunities. Meanwhile, one suggestion was that teams work harder in building out their “talent roster” so that fans aren’t just following the top two or three players on a team. There are stories across an entire lineup and teams must do a better job of telling them, getting those athletes more exposure and adding more roster depth for a stronger fan following.

• There are questions about the depth of the sponsorship marketplace, especially with World Cup and LA28 on the horizon. There are more events, more leagues and more teams than ever, and one wonders if more sponsors are coming into the marketplace or if sports is just dividing up the base of sponsorship dollars into smaller slices. Many stress that sponsorship will continue to increase as long as properties demonstrate enough creativity to grow the pie. Some brands argue that the new leagues and sports launching are giving them a very targeted and affordable way to reach consumers, and they hope it challenges the traditional leagues to be more creative and flexible in their relationship. We all know that brands face more pressure than ever to resonate and be extremely relevant in their daily battle to win market share for consumers’ interest, attention and wallet.

• The continuing battle over ingress/egress and getting fans in and out of sports facilities quicker constantly weighs on operational staff. Many are using AI to enable autonomous and frictionless resources to improve the fan journey, especially around entry, concessions and transportation. Meanwhile, with the emphasis on premium offerings, the concept of “premium for all” was shared with me a number of times, as many team leaders believe there is no reason every fan can’t have a premium experience in some manner. That’s why it was so interesting that the Miami Dolphins launched a premium experience around newly renovated bar-style clubs in the upper deck of Hard Rock Stadium for young, 20-something adults where they packaged in postgame transportation. The club tickets, which start at $120, include bus transportation after the game where these young people can continue their party at hotspots in Miami and Fort Lauderdale.

• There is more and more concern about the future impact of sports betting on competition, integrity, fandom and the player/fan relationship. There is a real anxiety from a solid block of leaders — not everyone, but many — who fear that while sports betting drives engagement, it doesn’t drive team loyalty or engender following storylines. This bettors’ transactional mindset focuses on tracking outcomes and adds to the vitriol against players over performance. There is also apprehension that the number of investigations into illegal betting by players will continue to worsen. This doesn’t even factor in the concerns over prop bets in the college environment. Bottom line: The worry is real and growing that the entire relationship between sports and legalized betting could end badly.

• The viability of pickleball as a growth sport comes up frequently. Proponents argue it’s the fastest growing participatory sport in the United States; it’s democratized and accessible; has a “cult-like” following of passionate advocates; sponsorship of players and events is growing; and it is an appealing live-event experience. Detractors counter that it’s not a strong TV product or a compelling watch, and there are no star players — yet — and that it will need those, as well as heroes and villains, to become more of a viable business property.

• Finally, many of these discussions came after the horrific events at the NFL headquarters in New York, where Commissioner Roger Goodell was charged with holding his scared office staff together in the aftermath of their building lobby, elevators and floors being penetrated by a killer. Safety and security has always been a major threat to sports, and this brought to the forefront, again, how the industry must do everything it can to protect staff and fans.

Abraham Madkour can be reached at amadkour@sportsbusinessjournal.com.

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Sports

Cail Named to 2025 AVCA Central All-Region Team

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JONESBORO, Ark. (12/9/25) – Arkansas State volleyball middle blocker Daedrianna Cail was named to the Division I Central All-Region First Team by the American Volleyball Coaches Association, as the organization announced its regional teams for the 2025 campaign on Tuesday.
 
Cail is the Red Wolves’ 10th AVCA All-Region selection in program history and the first to secure a spot on the first team since Mallory Warrington and Markie Schaedig achieved the feat in 2016.
 
The Marion native tallied a program-record 183 total blocks alongside 282 kills and a .355 attack percentage over 31 matches and 119 sets played. The All-Sun Belt Conference First Team selection ranks second nationally for total blocks and fifth for blocks per set, averaging 1.54.
 
Cail posted five-plus blocks in 18 matches and registered a career high of 15 to lead A-State past Texas State in a 3-2 (15-25, 25-23, 25-23, 22-25, 15-10) victory in the Sun Belt Volleyball Tournament semifinals. In addition, the senior landed double-digit kills in 14 matches, including a season and career high of 19 at Georgia State on Sept. 26.
 
Cail was named Sun Belt Volleyball Tournament Most Outstanding Player following the Scarlet and Black’s victory over James Madison in the championship round.
 
Following the all-region selection, Cail is eligible for AVCA All-America consideration. All-America teams will be announced on Wednesday, Dec. 17.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Fans can follow the team on Twitter (@AStateVB) and Instagram (astatevb) along with liking the Arkansas State Red Wolves Volleyball page on Facebook for the latest news and updates regarding the team.



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EIU Hosts Former OVC Rival On Wednesday

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EASTERN ILLINOIS (2-6) vs. Eastern Kentucky (2-7)

Wednesday, December 10  •  7 pm 

Charleston, Ill.  •  Groniger Arena

GAME INFO

RADIO: Hit Mix 88.9 WEIU

TV: ESPN+

LIVE STATS: www.eiupanthers.com

SERIES RECORD: EKU leads 28-18

LAST MEETING: EIU 81, EIU 66 on Dec. 14, 2024 at Berea College (Ky.)

NOTES: EIU Complete Game Notes

GAME 9

Eastern Illinois plays its second straight home game as the Panthers will have four of five contests at Groniger Arena in the month of December.   The Panthers host former Ohio Valley Conference rival Eastern Kentucky on Wednesday night.  EIU lost its OVC opener on Saturday against Lindenwood falling to 2-6 on the season with three straight losses.   It was EIU’s first loss at home this season and snapped a four game home win streak.  Eastern Kentucky snapped its seven game losing skid at home over the weekend with a big win over IU East to move the Colonels to 2-7 on the season.  

JACOBI WITH A DOUBLE-DOUBLE

Graduate student Kooper Jacobi posted his first double-double of the season on Saturday with 20 points and 10 rebounds against Lindenwood.  Jacobi led the OVC in both rebounding (8.9 rpg) and double-doubles (9) last year and had just missed adding to his career total in two other games this season.  The double-double against Lindenwood was the 12th of his EIU career as he continues to inch his way towards 500 career rebounds at EIU (453 at EIU … 8.1 rpg for EIU career / 538 college career).  

OLAFIOYE WITH A CAREER HIGH 

Last season Malik Olafioye scored in double figures in two games cracking the double figure mark for the first time with ten points in the OVC opener at Southeast Missouri and posting a season high 11 points in a win over Blackburn.  In this year’s OVC opener with Lindenwood, Olafioye again opened conference play with double figure scoring as he finished with a career high 14 points going 5-of-10 from the field and 3-of-4 from the line.  His previous high this season was nine points in the opener at Valparaiso.

PANTHERS GOOD IN THE FIRST HALF 

Eastern Illinois opened the first half of OVC play on Saturday connecting for the Panthers best 20 minutes of the season as they shot 54.8 percent from the floor to take a 41-34 lead into the break.  It was the fourth time this season EIU has shot 50 percent or better in a half with 51.7 percent at home against Tiffin in the first half and second half efforts at Central Arkansas and at Purdue.  On the season EIU is shooting 41.0 percent from the field (10th in the OVC) while averaging 62.1 points per game (11th in the OVC). 

UP NEXT

Sunday – December 14, 2025 at #4 Iowa State (12 pm on ESPN+)



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NIU Women’s Golf Signs One for 2026-27 Season

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Women’s Golf | December 8

DeKALB, Ill.—Northern Illinois University women’s golf coach Kim Kester has announced the signing of Nethra Sheri for the upcoming season.
 
Sheri comes to the Huskies women’s golf program after competing for Coppell High School in Irving, Texas. With the Cowboys, Sheri was a member of the team that claimed the 2025 6A State Championship, placed third at the 2024 6A State tournament, and claimed District championships in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Sheri also tied for first place at District championships and took third at Regionals.
 
Sheri has made her mark on the junior golf tour, competing with the Texas Junior Golf Team, All-American Tour, and American Junior Golf Tour. With the Texas Junior team, Sheri has claimed two victories and six top-5 finishes. Sheri added four top-15 finishes with the American Junior Golf tour, and two wins with the All-American tour. Additionally, Sheri was the Women’s Southern Amateur Quarterfinalist in 2025.
 
“We are excited to welcome Nethra to the NIU golf family,” noted Kester. “She brings a lot of tournament experience to NIU. She has had a great junior career. We are excited to see what she can do academically and athletically.”
 
The 2025-26 NIU women’s golf team returns to action on January 25-27 as they compete at the UCF Challenge in Orlando, Florida.
 
Want to stay in the know with NIU Women’s Golf? Follow the team on Facebook (Northern Illinois University Women’s Golf), X/Twitter (@NIUWomensGolf), and on Instagram (@niuwomensgolf).
 





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Watch Nebraska volleyball vs Kansas: TV channel, time, streaming

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Dec. 9, 2025, 5:15 a.m. CT

The Nebraska volleyball team enters the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament after sweeping Kansas State last Saturday. The Huskers now face the Kansas Jayhawks, who defeated Miami in four sets.

Nebraska’s offense ranks first nationally with a .352 hitting percentage. The defense is equally impressive, ranking first nationally in opponent hitting percentage at .125. 

Junior Harper Murray leads the team with 3.55 kills and 2.15 digs per set and a team high 30 aces. Setter Bergen Reilly runs the offense at an elite level with an average of 10.31 assists and 2.73 digs per set. Middle blocker Andi Jackson is averaging 2.75 kills per set on .467 hitting with 1.13 blocks per set. 





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Liberty League Performers of the Week for December 8

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Men’s Basketball Performer of the Week – Evan Cabral

Evan Cabral had a monster week for Ithaca as he averaged 26.7 points on 33-of-49 shooting for the floor, to go along with 6.7 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 2.3 assists per game. Cabral started the week with a career-high 31 points in a loss to Rochester as he went 12-for-23 shooting with seven rebounds and four steals. He then shot 12-for-16 for 27 points with eight boards and four steals at Vassar. Cabral concluded the week with 22 points on 9-of-10 shooting in a win at Skidmore.

Women’s Track & Field – Field Performer of the Week – Rachel Larson

Rachel Larson was a fourth place finisher with a time of 8.58 seconds in the 60-meter hurdles to open the 2025-26 season at Cornell’s Greg Page Relays. That time is currently No. 1 in Division III after the opening weekend of the season.

Women’s Swimming & Diving – Swimmer of the Week – Elizabeth Bodie

Sophomore Elizabeth Bodie had an impressive three day Bomber Invitational in which Ithaca totaled 2,307 points to outpace Rochester (2,037.5) and Smith College (1,135). Bodie won the 100-yard butterfly (56.54) added a runner-up in the 200 fly (2:08.15) and was third in the 100-yard backstroke (58.68) in an IC 1-2-3 finish. She also contributed to Ithaca’s 800-yard freestyle relay winning team that produced a finals time of 7:49.41.

Women’s Track & Field Rookie of the Week – Lola Gitlin

Lola Gitlin posted a time of 10:25.57 in the 3000-meter run to finish third overall in her first collegiate track race at the Cornell Greg Page Relays.

HONOR ROLL

Junior guard Tori Drevna had another steady week for the Bombers averaging 14.0 points per game across three appearances. Drevna connected on 3-of-4 and 2-of-3 from downtown against Rochester and Vassar, as she tallied 17 points along with seven boards and six assists in the loss to the ‘Jackets. She also nearly tallied her first double-double of the season in the 69-54 win over Skidmore with 13 points and eight rebounds.

Senior diver Kian Long was able to earn valuable team points for Ithaca as they nearly doubled the score of second-place University of Rochester across the three day Bomber Invitational. Long began his weekend winning on the 3-meter as he was second going into the evenings finals before outpacing Hobart’s Daniel Barrientos with a finals score of 513.95, compared to Barrientos who put together a 504.90. The senior diver followed it up with nearly a 50 point win on the 1-meter boards as he put together a finals score of 482.25, which bested Alfred University’s Jaxson McQuaid (436.00).

Graduate freestyler Matthew Mitros was impressive across Ithaca three day Bomber Invitational in which they won over the University of Rochester and five other schools. Mitros captured the 50 free (20.26, NCAA B‑cut) and powered Ithaca’s winning 200 free (1:22.48) and 400 medley relays (3:21.88) on opening night, then helping the Bombers take Friday’s 200 medley relay to cap a three‑relay sweep. He also scored a second-place finish in the 100-yard butterfly (50.05).

Lily Seyfert claimed fifth in the shot put with a heave of 12.78 meters, which is currently ninth in the nation, to begin the season at the Cornell Greg Page Relays.



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Sheehan, Parker, Jones and Munson Among the NJAC Athlete of the Week Winners

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PITMAN, NJ  – Rowan’s Braden Sheehan of the men’s swim team and Anthony Parker, Nyla Jones, and Naa’ilah Munson of the track & field teams were among the student-athletes honored by the NJAC with its weekly honors in those sports.

Sheehan was named the Men’s Swimmer of the Week as he won two events in Rowan’s 101.5-84.5 win over Swarthmore. The junior took first in the 100 free (46.92) and the 100 IM (51.55), while also clocking a split of 22.54 in the 200 mixed medley relay where the Profs finished second (1:38.98).

 

Rowan’s track and field teams got the new year underway at the Fastrack Season Opener. Parker was named the NJAC as claimed the long jump in his collegiate debut with a leap of 7.08 meters, which was the #13 mark in Division III.

 

Jones was picked as the Women’s Track Athlete of the Week as she clocked a 40.69 in the 300 meters,  which is the 11th all-time best in Division III and current tops in the NJAC.  The sophomore also was second in 60 hurdles with top conference time (8.93).

 

Munson was named the Women’s Track Rookie of the Week as she made her collegiate debut, posting the top NJAC mark in the triple jump. The freshman reached 11.16 meters to place fourth in the meet at Ocean Breeze.

 

Rowan’s men’s and women’s swim teams and the men’s and women’s track and field teams will return to competition in January.

 

 



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