NIL
Milwaukee County judge arrested by FBI agents for allegedly interfering with a federal …
MILWAUKEE — FBI agents arrested Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan on charges of obstruction after she allegedly interfered with a federal immigration arrest operation. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the arrest, stating Judge Dugan misdirected agents from detaining Eduardo Flores Ruiz, an undocumented migrant, after a court appearance April 18. Multiple 12 News sources confirm the arrest […]


MILWAUKEE — FBI agents arrested Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan on charges of obstruction after she allegedly interfered with a federal immigration arrest operation.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the arrest, stating Judge Dugan misdirected agents from detaining Eduardo Flores Ruiz, an undocumented migrant, after a court appearance April 18.
Multiple 12 News sources confirm the arrest happened Friday morning at the Milwaukee County Courthouse.
According to reports, Ruiz managed to evade initial detention but was later apprehended after a foot pursuit. Federal agents claim the judge’s obstruction increased public safety risks.
Judge Dugan has been on the bench for nine years, and the incident has drawn scrutiny and prompted an investigation.
NIL
Texas QB commit inks major NIL deal with Gatorade
Dia Bell, the five-star quarterback and Texas Longhorns commit has signed a major NIL deal with Gatorade, adding to a growing endorsement portfolio before his senior year even kicks off. The deal comes shortly after Bell was named the 2024 Florida Gatorade Player of the Year, a title earned by only the most elite high […]

Dia Bell, the five-star quarterback and Texas Longhorns commit has signed a major NIL deal with Gatorade, adding to a growing endorsement portfolio before his senior year even kicks off. The deal comes shortly after Bell was named the 2024 Florida Gatorade Player of the Year, a title earned by only the most elite high school athletes. His numbers justify the hype: 2,597 passing yards and 29 touchdowns in a single season at Plantation (Fla.) American Heritage.
A Natural Fit for Gatorade
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Gatorade has a long-standing tradition of partnering with athletes on the rise, and Bell fits that mold perfectly. He now joins fellow Florida standout DJ Lagway as the only recent prep football players in the state to both win the Gatorade Player of the Year award and sign with the sports drink giant. This move also underscores Gatorade’s continued push into the NIL space, targeting top-tier talent at earlier stages of their careers. Bell’s leadership, arm talent, and marketability make him a smart investment for brands aiming to connect with Gen Z sports fans.
Texas commit quarterback Dia Bell© Jonah Hinebaugh/Naples Daily News/USA Today Network-Florida / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Building a High School NIL Powerhouse
With a current On3 NIL Valuation of $927,000, Bell ranks No. 4 nationally among high school football players. This new partnership with Gatorade follows his initial NIL deal with Leaf Trading Cards and positions him as one of the most valuable amateur athletes in the country. He’s also a confirmed invitee to this summer’s Elite 11 Finals in Los Angeles, where top quarterbacks solidify their national reputations. With Bell currently listed as the No. 4 overall player and No. 2 QB in the 2026 class, his rising profile is attracting not only college scouts—but corporate ones too.
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Related: Livvy Dunne turns heads by crushing retirement life
Final Word
Dia Bell isn’t just the future of Texas football—he’s the present of high school NIL. And with Gatorade now backing him, the spotlight is only going to get brighter.
Related: Kentucky turns heads with new NIL structure
Related: Quinn Ewers suffers major blow following the NFL Draft
NIL
The ownership group behind On3 acquires Rivals and forges partnership with Yahoo Sports
NASHVILLE, TN — The ownership group behind On3, led by Shannon Terry, has reached an agreement to acquire Rivals—the original authority in recruiting, high school sports, and fan communities—from Yahoo Sports. On3 and Rivals will create a network that will serve millions of fans and student-athletes nationwide, offering unparalleled coverage of college and high school […]

NASHVILLE, TN — The ownership group behind On3, led by Shannon Terry, has reached an agreement to acquire Rivals—the original authority in recruiting, high school sports, and fan communities—from Yahoo Sports.
On3 and Rivals will create a network that will serve millions of fans and student-athletes nationwide, offering unparalleled coverage of college and high school sports, recruiting, and the rapidly evolving NIL landscape. On3 and Rivals subscribers will gain access to premium content across both platforms—dramatically increasing the value of each subscription and elevating the fan experience.
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As part of the transaction, Yahoo Sports will take an ownership stake in the On3 parent company. Yahoo Sports will have a seat on the On3 parent company board and leverage its unique scale to help On3 and Rivals grow their content and subscription businesses.
The deal is expected to close by the end of the second quarter of 2025.
“Rivals is an icon in college sports and recruiting media,” said Shannon Terry, CEO of On3 and original co-founder of Rivals. “We’re excited to build on the momentum behind Rivals, which has a longstanding legacy as the most recognized brand and author of the recruiting industry. We look forward to taking Rivals to new heights with significant new investment focused on recruiting, high school sports, and passionate college fan communities.”
“We’re thrilled to be working with the Yahoo Sports team again,” added Terry. “From the start, it was clear both parties saw tremendous value in a partnership. Yahoo Sports has world-class distribution, a strong editorial platform, and an expansive content network that will play an integral role in the continued growth of On3 and Rivals.
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“Rivals has a proud legacy, a vast network, and has stood among the most respected names in college sports coverage for over two decades,” said Ryan Spoon, President of Yahoo Sports. “It’s long been a cornerstone of our sports ecosystem, and together with On3, we are creating a powerful, future-forward platform that elevates athletes, energizes fans, and drives innovation across the sports industry.”
On3 will maintain its focus on college sports coverage, supported by a powerful database platform and industry-leading reporting on NIL, the transfer portal, and fan-driven media.
About On3
On3 is a leading sports media and technology company delivering trusted coverage, data, and connectivity across youth, high school, and college sports.
About Yahoo
For 30 years and counting, Yahoo has served as a trusted guide for hundreds of millions of people globally, helping them achieve their goals big and small online through our portfolio of iconic products. For advertisers, Yahoo offers omnichannel solutions and powerful data to engage with our brands and deliver results.
NIL
Some good, some bad in era of college athlete empowerment
(Editor’s note: This is the third installment of a multi-part series by MTN Sports on the current state of college athletics. For Part 1, click here. For Part 2, click here.) BOZEMAN — Student-athletes have never been more empowered than they are in this current era of collegiate athletics. With name, image and likeness (NIL) opportunities, […]

(Editor’s note: This is the third installment of a multi-part series by MTN Sports on the current state of college athletics. For Part 1, click here. For Part 2, click here.)
BOZEMAN — Student-athletes have never been more empowered than they are in this current era of collegiate athletics.
With name, image and likeness (NIL) opportunities, looser academic eligibility requirements and next to no transfer restrictions, collegiate athletes have more options and can earn as much as someone is willing to pay them. While the effects of the new rules — or lack thereof — are felt in all sports, football is one of the largest drivers of change.
“I think college football’s almost turning into a huge free agency type of landscape, and then there’s good in that and there’s bad in that,” Montana State receiver and return specialist Taco Dowler told MTN Sports. “Having a little bit of extra cash obviously helps. I mean, everyone wants a little bit of extra cash, but we don’t have the amounts that are going to change your life, necessarily, at this level.
“So, learning how to budget, learning how to save, just with a little bit of extra cash, I think is huge. For the (offensive) linemen, I know it’s big for grocery bills. For me, it’s nice to take my girlfriend out on a nice date once a week or whatever that may be.
“And, you just can’t go wrong. You have to be smart with the money that you do have. And I think that us not getting a bunch of money is nice, but us having a little bit of buffer is also good to learn.”
Dowler, a Billings native who has become an All-American punt returner for the Bobcats, is a fan favorite in Bozeman. Fans can be seen wearing “Taco Tuesday on a Saturday” baseball caps or foam tacos on their heads or holding “Taco Time” signs.

Slim Kimmel / MTN Sports
After games, including MSU’s Sonny Holland Classic that concluded the Bobcats’ slate of spring practices in April, the affable athlete is often swarmed by kids wanting photos and signatures.
“I feel like I’m a normal guy until people come up and want to take a picture with me, and I’m like, oh, I guess they think I’m cooler than I actually am,” he deadpanned. “But, it’s really an honor, and it’s really cool that I’ve been put in a position where I can be a role model for kids and show them what to do and how to do it the right way — and that ages all the way up to freshmen that come in here to play with us. And it really is a huge blessing more than anything.”
Dowler is happy to acquiesce and pose for photos as long as fans are lining up, but the small-town fame has also provided him with a platform to benefit. As a marketable star on one of the biggest brands in FCS football, Dowler has earned plenty of NIL offers.
He — like former Montana State quarterback Tommy Mellott, who was recently selected by the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2025 NFL Draft — has turned down some NIL deals that focused solely on him so more members of the team could get a share of the pot.
“(Football is) the best team-sport game you could possibly do, and I think just the closer you are, the more you love your brothers on the team, the better you’re going to perform,” said Dowler.
“I don’t think there’s any, like, jealousy or anything. Everyone’s like, ‘Oh, that’s sweet, dude,’” Bobcats defensive tackle Alec Eckert said. “I mean, we’re all on the same team, we’re all trying to win games and stuff, and if one of your friends gets a cool deal, you feel like you’re part of it, too.”
If Dowler is a poster child demonstrating the potential good of NIL, Eckert is just as strong of an advocate for the transfer portal. After spending three years at Washington State, the Lewiston, Idaho, native transferred to Montana State prior to last season.
“I think, for me, it was a little bit different just because there was no bad blood or anything (at Washington State). It wasn’t like I was leaving with a bad attitude or anything. It was just that school was getting expensive,” said Eckert, who was a walk-on at Washington State. “And I talked to my coach there, and he was pretty good friends with (Montana State head coach Brent Vigen), and he called coach Vigen up for me, and he helped me get recruited here.”
“It’s been the best decision I’ve ever made,” Eckert added. “I mean, I’ve made friends for life and brothers for life on this team and couldn’t be happier with the community and being in Bozeman and being a Montanan.”

Slim Kimmel / MTN Sports
Eckert is one of only eight transfers currently featured on Montana State’s online roster (which does not yet list quarterback Justin Lamson, who is joining MSU from Stanford). On the other hand, the Bobcats lost at least 14 players to the transfer portal after last season’s run to the FCS national championship game.
All-Big Sky Conference performers Scottre Humphrey, Conner Moore, Rohan Jones and Andrew Powdrell left Bozeman for FBS programs New Mexico, Michigan State, Arkansas and UNLV, respectively.
Eckert didn’t criticize any of his former teammates and said the ability to transfer and profit off NIL earnings is generally a good thing but admitted “there’s some disadvantages, too.”
“You see a lot of selfishness and guys, I think, maybe leaving for the wrong reasons and making decisions based solely off finances when they don’t realize that maybe they had a better thing where they were,” Eckert said. “They might not have been making as much money, but they were on a better football team, or they were with better people, and people actually cared about them.”
NIL deals at major college football programs can be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars or more. The market is even higher for quarterbacks — around $4 million for the top players, according to CBS Sports — and former Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava somewhat infamously had a reported NIL dispute with the Volunteers that ultimately led to his transfer to UCLA.
FCS athletes aren’t earning near that ballpark, but, according to a source involved in the NIL marketplace, there’s a “big four” of Montana State, Montana, North Dakota State and South Dakota State that are playing at a different level than their contemporaries.
“None of us are getting $250,000 or $2 million like Nico or whatever,” Dowler said. “It’s just different. It’s hard to grasp how much money that actually is.
“And there’s offers obviously coming in for some people that decide to stay here, and I think that says a lot about your character and your morals.”
NIL
Kentucky Converts Athletic Department to Limited-Liability Company to Deal With NIL
With college athletics bracing for the expected approval of a $2.8 billion NCAA antitrust settlement, the University of Kentucky is believed to be the first school to convert its athletic department to a limited-liability holding company. The creation of Champions Blue LLC, approved last week by the university’s Board of Trustees, is seen as a way […]

With college athletics bracing for the expected approval of a $2.8 billion NCAA antitrust settlement, the University of Kentucky is believed to be the first school to convert its athletic department to a limited-liability holding company.
The creation of Champions Blue LLC, approved last week by the university’s Board of Trustees, is seen as a way for Kentucky to become more nimble in finding new revenue. The pending settlement in the House case will clear the way for schools to share up to $20.5 million annually with their athletes, but name, image and likeness deals on top of that are seen as a key asset in landing and keeping elite recruits — and that takes money.
The plan calls for a board that will have wide experience in fundraising, and the school noted it hopes to “unlock new revenue streams through public-private partnerships and potentially other transactions, such as real estate.”
“There are so many benefits to creating Champions Blue,” said Jacob Most, UK’s director of strategic communications. “It provides the flexibility needed to help us stay well-positioned during this period of continued evolution in college athletics. We will benefit from a new board of internal and outside experts with sports business experience — including in pro sports — that will help guide us in finding revenue streams to support our teams.”
The so-called House settlement and changing landscape were driving factors in the decision, and UK said in its announcement Friday that the changes “will add millions more each year to the expenses of intercollegiate programs.”
It might not work across the board, however.
Making the shift requires thoughtful consideration, said Jim Booz, a former deputy athletic director at Virginia Tech and now the director of college athletics advisory services at the accounting firm James Moore & Co.
“It’s important for every institution to really think about their strategic alignment and what it is that they want to accomplish in this new landscape of college athletics,” Booz said. “Certainly, a move like this one allows the University of Kentucky to be a little bit more agile and nimble in executing, in all likelihood, some strategies that they plan to implement post the House case.”
Helen Drew, a sports law professor at the University of Buffalo, said agility is increasingly valuable in college athletics. As the amateur model vanishes, athletic departments are more inclined to make changes.
“The traditional structure has never fit particularly well, and certainly now it does not fit well at all with the transactional nature of college sports,” Drew said. “This is the first institution to acknowledge that we’re in a different era and that the organizational structures that we’ve used up until this time don’t work well with the new reality.”
UK officials said the structure is appealing to all parties, including athletes seeking NIL compensation.
“This structure will help us create new revenue streams, which when reinvested in our programs and facilities, will help ensure the continued success of our sports programs,” Most said. “In today’s college landscape, isolating the business component enables us to focus on our student-athletes.”
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AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports
NIL
Oklahoma legislature passes NIL bill for revenue sharing
Listen to this article Summary: – SB 490 lets Oklahoma universities enter NIL revenue-sharing deals with student-athletes. – The bill sets a $20.5M annual cap per school, using only non-state funds. – It passed the House 69-19 and awaits Gov. Kevin Stitt’s signature. OKLAHOMA CITY — A measure allowing state universities in Oklahoma to enter […]

Summary:
– SB 490 lets Oklahoma universities enter NIL revenue-sharing deals with student-athletes.
– The bill sets a $20.5M annual cap per school, using only non-state funds.
– It passed the House 69-19 and awaits Gov. Kevin Stitt’s signature.
OKLAHOMA CITY — A measure allowing state universities in Oklahoma to enter into licenses or endorsement agreements for a student athlete’s name, image and likeness awaits Gov. Kevin Stitt’s signature.
Author of Senate Bill 490, state Sen. Todd Gollihare, R-Kellyville, sees the measure as a significant step in modernizing the state’s collegiate athletics landscape.
The measure amends the Student Athlete Name, Image and Likeness Rights Act, passed by the legislature in 2021, to align with the rapidly evolving national framework of collegiate sports and ensure student athletes and universities in Oklahoma remain competitive.
“As we witness the evolution of collegiate athletics and the end of the amateur athlete era, it is imperative that our state takes proactive measures to keep pace with national changes,” Gollihare said in a March statement. “This legislation strikes a balance between preserving the student experience and ensuring our institutions are not at a disadvantage.”
SB 490 allows Oklahoma’s NCAA member schools to engage in revenue-sharing agreements with student athletes, preventing competitive disadvantages due to less regulation in other states.
According to a release, the bill establishes a $20.5 million annual cap per institution for athlete compensation. Universities can use revenue derived from conference distributions, advertising, sponsorships and ticket sales. They may not use appropriated state funds to pay athletes.
The measure passed the Senate on March 17. State Rep. Mark Lawson, R-Sapulpa, presented it to the House Monday. He said the measure is supported by the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University, the state’s two largest institutions. A 69-19 House vote sent the measure to the governor’s desk.
Discussions regarding revenue sharing for NIL have ramped up in the last two years as interested parties await the pending House v. NCAA settlement. The lawsuit was filed in 2020 by Arizona State University swimmer Grant House and Texas Christian University basketball player Sedona Prince. Plaintiffs claim the association broke antitrust laws by preventing college athletes from receiving compensation for the use of their NIL.
A proposed multi-billion-dollar settlement is pending approval from the court. Additionally, the settlement will establish a revenue-sharing model where schools can directly pay their student-athletes for their NIL rights, using up to 22% of their athletic department revenue, starting in 2025. The new model will replace the previous system where student-athletes could only receive NIL compensation from boosters and sponsors.
Every payment made to student athletes before June 30, 2025, will not count against the newly established salary cap, offering immediate flexibility for institutions as they transition to this updated framework, according to a March Senate release.
Gollihare said SB 490 sets a national precedent by ensuring student athletes receive fair opportunities and maintaining the integrity of collegiate institutions.
“By memorializing these agreements into law, we provide clarity and stability for athletes, universities, and stakeholders alike,” Gollihare said.
With an emergency, the measure will go into effect if and when Stitt signs it.
Stitt has already shown a willingness to allow state schools to facilitate NIL deals with a January executive order. The order allows for the creation of foundations to act as clearing houses for entities to contribute to NIL funds without fear of retaliation or investigation from athletic organizations like the NCAA or athletic conferences. It also ensures that Oklahoma taxpayer dollars will not be used for these payments.
“It’s about leveling the playing field and maintaining the competitive edge that defines Oklahoma athletics,” Stitt said in a January statement.
Gollihare said he’s proud to see SB 490 earn strong bipartisan support in both chambers and head to Stitt’s desk for signature.
“By establishing a clear framework for revenue sharing, we’re leading the way on responsible NIL reform that balances opportunity and accountability,” Gollihare said in a statement Wednesday afternoon. “I appreciate my colleagues’ support and look forward to seeing this become law.”
NIL
Where is Cameron Rising? Star Utah quarterback went undrafted, turned down transfer portal
Getty Images Cameron Rising hasn’t been seen around Salt Lake City in months. The former Utah quarterback technically had the ability to return to college football for the 2025 season via either petition or injury redshirt, but has not exercised either option. The primary reference by coach Kyle Whittingham was one of omission — he said […]

Cameron Rising hasn’t been seen around Salt Lake City in months. The former Utah quarterback technically had the ability to return to college football for the 2025 season via either petition or injury redshirt, but has not exercised either option.
The primary reference by coach Kyle Whittingham was one of omission — he said during a spring press conference that quarterback Isaac Wilson is the only returning scholarship quarterback on the roster. He has not entered the transfer portal, and he went undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft. His college career is over, most likely, and perhaps his football career, too.
“I’ve talked to Cam a few times, but that is really up to Cam… when he wants to divulge what his plan is,” Whittingham said in January. “We’ve certainly had communication and you don’t see him on the roster right now, so that should tell you some things there.”
Rising put together one of the most winding eligibility careers in the history of the sport. In 2018, Rising redshirted as a first-year player at Texas. The next year, he transferred to Utah and was required to sit out by NCAA transfer rules, a statement that feels almost quaint six years later. He suffered an injury during the pandemic season, played two years of Pac-12 championship football and then missed the entire 2023 season with an ACL injury.
When the California native finally came back in 2024, it took only two games before he suffered a major hand injury after getting pushed out of bounds into a cart against Baylor. He managed to fight back and play against Arizona State, but tweaked his knee on the opening drive. Ultimately, Rising threw three interceptions in a 27-19 loss, and was ruled out for the rest of the season after the game. It was his final game in a Utah uniform, and an unceremonious end for a program legend.
Before the 2024 season, Rising became eligible for another year after the NCAA changed its rules so his transfer redshirt in 2019 would not count. At the time, he told the Action Network that “seven years is more than enough.” After the hand and leg injuries, Rising could have also been eligible for a medical redshirt after playing only four games. There’s been no indication that he considered the option.
Despite the injuries, Rising put together a legendary career for the Utes. He threw for more than 6,000 yards, rushed for nearly 1,000 and scored 65 touchdowns in 30 appearances. Rising went 20-7 as a starting quarterback and led Utah to a pair of Pac-12 championships.
However, his injuries set Utah back tremendously. In 2023, Whittingham said Rising could be ready for the opener against Florida. He ultimately missed the entire season as the Utes went from picked No. 1 in the Pac-12 to 8-5. The next year, Utah was the favorite during their first year in the Big 12. His injury kicked off a 5-7 record, including an astonishing seven straight losses to finish with a losing record for the first time since 2013. The passing offense was bottom-two in their league in both seasons.
Now, Utah has no choice but to move on and look to the future. The Utes brought in three scholarship quarterbacks to join Wilson, including star New Mexico transfer Devon Dampier. Offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig also resigned after two straight disappointing offenses.
Rising is still believed to be recovering from his hand and leg injuries. If his career is over, he has a disability insurance policy that should help him start the next phase of his life. But after setting himself up as a college football legend with his run at Utah, he’s now fading away without a trace.
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