NIL
Morning Buzz
Start your morning with Buzzcast with Abe Madkour: Why a new stadium in D.C. is so important; NFL gets into the jersey rotation and a new leader over BofA’s sports marketing and sponsorship The Pac-12 has its 2025 football media deal done. Now comes finalizing a longer term agreement. Getty Images The Pac-12 has finalized […]

Start your morning with Buzzcast with Abe Madkour: Why a new stadium in D.C. is so important; NFL gets into the jersey rotation and a new leader over BofA’s sports marketing and sponsorship

The Pac-12 has finalized its 2025 football media rights deals.
The 13-game package composed of Washington State and Oregon State’s home games will be dispersed across three networks — The CW, CBS and ESPN — and will serve as a one-year stopgap between now and what is expected to be a separate, lengthier set of media rights agreements that will incorporate the additions of at least six new members beginning in 2026.
The CW is expected to take on the bulk of the 2025 package with nine games, while ESPN and CBS will broadcast two games apiece. Financial terms were not readily available at press time.
Octagon, the Pac-12’s exclusive media advisor, consulted on the deal.

Fox Sports EVP Charlie Dixon, who is a co-defendant in two lawsuits in which he was accused of sexual battery, is “officially done at the network.” Dixon had been placed on administrative leave at the network in February. Dixon joined Fox Sports in 2015 and was eventually promoted to be its “top programming decision-maker on the cable side” with FS1 (THE ATHLETIC, 4/28). An attorney for Dixon in a statement said that his client had been told by Fox Sports “‘that he was being let go for violating company policy’ in a matter that had nothing to do with the lawsuits filed in January.” Attorney John Ly wrote according to the network, Dixon did “not disclose to human resources or the legal department that a third-party production company had hired his wife as a temporary freelancer.” However, he added Dixon “had asked his supervisor about the hire and was told that there were no objections” (L.A. TIMES, 4/29).

The only thing missing from the White Sox’ new City Connect jerseys is a pair of Air Jordans.
The team’s City Connect jerseys, which will debut on Friday, were inspired by another Chicago team: the Bulls. It’s the first on-field jersey that combines brand elements from both MLB and the NBA.
It’s also the first time an MLB team has two on-field cap designs for a City Connect uniform: a winged “BRED Cap” and a red and black “City Pinstripes Cap.”
Merchandise will be available on April 29. The jerseys feature red (Bulls) and black (White Sox) stripes. They also features several other unique elements like the “CHICAGO” wordmark across the chest in the same style as what the Bulls have long had; a winged sock inspired by the logo the White Sox used in the 1950s; a Crossover tag; “SOUTHSIDE” being etched around the sleeve and down the pant leg; and the neckline has detail honoring the teams’ combined nine championships.

Basketball HOFer and TNT Sports NBA analyst Shaquille O’Neal has “agreed to become the Sacramento State men’s basketball general manager,” according to sources. It will be an “unpaid, voluntary role” for Shaq, whose son Shaqir O’Neal will play for Sacramento State this coming season. Shaq is the “latest high-profile athlete” to accept a GM role with a school, joining Warriors G Stephen Curry (assistant GM for Davidson basketball), Hawks G Trae Young (assistant GM for Oklahoma basketball) and former NFLer Andrew Luck (GM for Stanford football) (ESPN.com, 4/28).

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and President of League Operations Byron Spruell said “discussions were being held with new broadcast partner NBC for an ‘international competition’ as the league’s All-Star Game,” which is set for Feb. 15, 2026, at Intuit Dome. Silver said, “Our All-Star Game will return to NBC next season in the middle of their coverage of the Winter Olympics. Given the strong interest we’ve seen in international basketball competitions, most recently in last summer’s Olympics in Paris, we’re discussing concepts with the players association that focus on NBA players representing their countries or regions instead of the more traditional formats that we’ve used in the past.” The next Olympic basketball tournament will be in L.A. in 2028, “played at the same arena where next year’s All-Star Game will take place.” There is a “general appetite for international basketball that is only growing,” after “arguably the most star-studded international tournament ever” took place last summer at the Paris Olympics (THE ATHLETIC, 4/28).

A federal judge on Monday “dismissed a sweeping antitrust lawsuit” brought by former NBAer Mario Chalmers and “other prolific college basketball players against the NCAA.” Chalmers filed the antitrust class action last year alongside 15 other former college basketball players, who claimed that the NCAA is “unjustly enriching itself” off the NIL of its athletes to promote the NCAA Tournament. But U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer “sided with the NCAA in dismissing Chalmers’ complaint Monday, finding it untimely.” A four-year statute of limitations “limits legal action for violations of federal antitrust law.” Chalmers and the other plaintiffs contested that the law “continues to be breached to this day by the NCAA using their likeness in promotional material, making their claims timely despite the four-year limit,” but Engelmayer “wasn’t persuaded.” At a court hearing in January, Engelmayer also implied that past litigation like O’Bannon v. NCAA “didn’t help plaintiffs’ current case, since many of those same issues were already litigated.” Engelmayer “acknowledged that again in his Monday order, writing that ‘all named plaintiffs were members of the O’Bannon injunctive class’” (COURTHOUSE NEWS SERVICE, 4/28).

Sports agent Mark Termini “settled his lawsuit” against Klutch Sports Group founder Rich Paul on Monday, less than a year after Termini made accusations that Paul “cut him out of $4.9 million worth of fees for signing two NBA player contracts” for the agency. The filing says that the case was settled “at Klutch’s costs,” but it “doesn’t list the terms of the settlement.” Paul hired Termini in 2012 when he launched Klutch Sports and “very significantly” relied on Termini’s experience to grow the agency, according to the lawsuit. Termini’s contract “called for him to get 25% of the agent fees for any contract he helped negotiate.” The lawsuit accused Paul of “breach of contract by failing to pay Termini the full amount of fees he was owed and intentionally waiting to ink deals for two unidentified players in December 2020 until Termini’s contract expired so Paul wouldn’t have to pay him for his work on the deals,” the lawsuit said (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 4/28).

The Eagles visited the White House on Monday to celebrate their victory in Super Bowl LIX. QB Jalen Hurts was a “notable absence,” as he and other players “missed the event due to scheduling conflicts.” President Donald Trump “praised the team while a sea of Eagles fans wearing green filled the White House lawn” (THE HILL, 4/28). The visit was “not mandatory for players.” Others that did not attend included WRs A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, and “some members of the Eagles defense” (NBCPHILADELPHIA.com, 4/28). The trip to the White House “came after speculation the team would skip the trip like it did” following their win in Super Bowl LII in 2018 during Trump’s first term in office (DELAWARE NEWS JOURNAL, 4/28).
The Eagles’ visit to the White House “wasn’t going to be the typical winners-go-to-Washington photo opportunity.” As the event started, the Marine Band “played the ‘Rocky’ theme.” Among the first persons that Trump summoned to the podium during the ceremony “wasn’t the owner, coach, or a future hall-of-famer,” but Eagles Chief Security Officer Dom DiSandro (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 4/28).

PepsiCo’s Gatorade unit on Monday “won the dismissal” of a lawsuit by former world champion sprinter Issam Asinga, who “blamed his four-year doping ban on eating ‘recovery gummies’ contaminated by a performance-enhancing drug.” U.S. District Judge Cathy Seibel ruled Asinga, who is from Suriname, “could not pursue strict liability and negligence claims because he did not allege that eating the gummies caused physical injury.” She also “found no proof that Gatorade intentionally caused him to ingest a banned substance,” thereby “undermining his athletic scholarship from Texas A&M University and agreement to abide by world anti-doping rules” (REUTERS, 4/28).
Speed Reads…
Marshall AD Christian Spears and the school have “mutually agreed that they will not be renewing his contract,” which expires in March 2026, according to sources. Spears “will stay on” as AD “until the school finds a replacement” (ESPN.com, 4/28).
The USTA and American Tennis Association announced a “new initiative to expand diversity in tennis,” with a “focus on increasing Black representation in the sport” (REUTERS, 4/28).
Morning Hot Reads: What’s Your Role?
The Raleigh NEWS & OBSERVER went with the header, “What is Jordon Hudson’s role at UNC? Bill Belichick CBS interview adds confusion.” Since Belichick was hired as UNC’s football coach in December, he’s “faced questions and criticism about his relationship and Hudson’s role.” She was “spotted putting a microphone on Belichick ahead of Carolina’s ‘Practice Like a Pro’ open spring practice,” and she “made appearances at multiple men’s basketball games alongside Belichick.” Videos of those interactions “also went viral.” The couple also appeared last week at a Hurricanes playoff game at Lenovo Center, and “when shown on the big screen, the capacity crowd in the traditionally pro-N.C. State building let out a chorus of boos.” Questions “still surround Hudson’s role” at UNC, as she’s “not employed by the university.”
Also:
Social Scoop…
Nike says it will not be using the term “Never Again” going forward after the phrase was used in a London billboard promoting the marathon.
The all-red billboard said “Never Again. Until Next Year.”
“We did not mean any harm and apologize for any we caused,” Nike said. pic.twitter.com/Aqd9wZGpyE
— Louis Keene (@thislouis) April 28, 2025
I’ll say it again for those in the back…in 5 years Gillette stadium will be a fossil compared to the rest of the league. Build a new one right in Boston. Drop it in the Charles River if you have too. @Patriots are too big to be out in the country like a SEC college team. pic.twitter.com/a9HRYLNnia
— Cerrone Battle (@Cerrone_Battle) April 28, 2025
Among the #Eagles not at the White House today:
• Jalen Hurts
• AJ Brown
• DeVonta Smith
• Brandon Graham
• Darius Slay
• Nolan Smith
• Jordan Davis
• Jalen Carter
• CJ Gardner-Johnson
• Zack Baun
• Nakobe Dean
• Isaiah Rodgers
• Jalyx Hunt
• Josh Sweat pic.twitter.com/5yr5BNYRF3— Eagles Nation (@PHLEaglesNation) April 28, 2025
“Deion has worked for so many media outlets and has so many friends in the NFL… Nobody wanted to give him the truth: your son’s okay.”@ColinCowherd discusses how Deion Sanders’ presence made the hype around Shedeur overblown. pic.twitter.com/HIBUVwMjoy
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) April 28, 2025
“At the start of his writing career, his wife told him, if it didn’t work out, at 6’4″, he could be a reacher in a supermarket.”
Off the presses…
The Morning Buzz offers today’s back pages and sports covers from some of North America’s major metropolitan newspapers:
Final Jeopardy…
“Who is Lee Child?”
NIL
Chris Kent – Assistant Coach/Director of Player Development – Men’s Basketball Coaches
Florida State head men’s basketball coach Luke Loucks has named Chris Kent as the Director of Player Development on his first Seminole staff. Kent began his coaching career as an assistant coach for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in the NBA D-League from 2013 to 2015. He then served as a graduate assistant for the […]

Kent began his coaching career as an assistant coach for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in the NBA D-League from 2013 to 2015. He then served as a graduate assistant for the Florida State University men’s basketball program from August 2015 to May 2017 before joining the University of South Florida (USF) men’s basketball program in June 2017 as the team’s Director of Player Development.
In 2018, Kent joined the Chicago Bulls as a coaching intern for the 2018-19 season. Following his internship, he was hired as the team’s video coordinator. He later transitioned to the Windy City Bulls, the Chicago Bulls’ G League affiliate, serving as an assistant coach during the 2022-23 season.
Kent played college basketball for two seasons at both Huntington University (Ind.) and Trine University (Ind.), bringing firsthand playing experience to his coaching career.
NIL
Report: Texas A&M to part ways with assistant coach Will Fox after retaining Michael Earley
After announcing plans to retain Michael Earley as head baseball coach, Texas A&M is planning to make changes to the staff. The program is set to part ways with assistant coach Will Fox, D1Baseball’s Kendall Rogers reported. Fox spent the last six seasons at Texas A&M after previously serving on the staff at his alma […]

After announcing plans to retain Michael Earley as head baseball coach, Texas A&M is planning to make changes to the staff. The program is set to part ways with assistant coach Will Fox, D1Baseball’s Kendall Rogers reported.
Fox spent the last six seasons at Texas A&M after previously serving on the staff at his alma mater, McNeese State. Rogers said he “would not be surprised” if he’s involved with an assistant vacancy at McNeese following his departure.
News of Texas A&M’s plans to part ways with Fox comes after Earley’s first season as head coach. The Aggies entered the year as the preseason No. 1 team, but wound up missing the NCAA Tournament one year after making it to the College World Series finals.
Following the 30-26 record, questions swirled about Earley’s future. However, Texas A&M athletics director Trev Alberts announced the program is set to bring him back for Year 2 in 2026.
“Earlier today I met with Coach Earley to discuss the state of our baseball program,” Alberts said in a statement. “I appreciate Mike’s work in taking a holistic view of what changes need to be made so that we have a baseball program that meets our high standards. Baseball success is critically important to Texas A&M. I am confident in Mike’s ability to execute the needed change and fully support his vision going forward.”
Earley served as the hitting coach on last year’s Texas A&M staff, which rattled off a run to Omaha. He appeared set to leave and follow Schlossnagle to Texas, but ultimately chose to stay put in College Station and take over at Texas A&M.
After the news came down, the Aggies got another big boost when Gavin Grahovac announced his plans to return next year, as well. He told TexAgs’ Ryan Brauninger he wants to be part of turning things around after the up-and-down season.
“There was never a decision to be made for me. I’m looking forward to being a leader for Coach Earley,” Grahovac said. “This year wasn’t the standard. There’s a chip on our shoulder to fix it and get it right.”
Grahovac was among the names to return to College Station following last year’s coaching change. He was a key part of Texas A&M’s run to the College World Series finals, hitting .298 with 23 home runs and 66 RBI. However, he suffered a shoulder injury and underwent season-ending surgery after just six games this year.
NIL
Report: SEC indicates it is not supporting multiple CFP automatic bids after ‘pushback’
Following this week’s spring meetings, the SEC indicates it is not supporting multiple automatic bids to the College Football Playoff, Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger reported. The league received “pushback” from coaches and data, which led to the change in support for the proposed 4-4-2-2-1 format. Top officials at Georgia and Alabama played key roles in […]

Following this week’s spring meetings, the SEC indicates it is not supporting multiple automatic bids to the College Football Playoff, Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger reported. The league received “pushback” from coaches and data, which led to the change in support for the proposed 4-4-2-2-1 format.
Top officials at Georgia and Alabama played key roles in the conversations this past week, Dellenger added, considering the model could have limited the SEC to four spots in the CFP. They also pushed back on the idea of “play-in games.”
Throughout the week in Destin, the sense was SEC coaches had more support for a 5-plus-11 model than the 4-4-2-2-1. Under the latter, the SEC and Big Ten would each receive four bids to the CFP, while the Big 12 and ACC would get two bids apiece, and one spot would be for the Group of 6. There would also be three at-large spots.
Under the 5-plus-11, the five highest-ranked conference champions would make the field, along with 11 at-large teams. However, Dellenger noted, it “is in no way a guarantee for approval.”
On3’s Pete Nakos confirmed Big Ten athletics directors discussed the 5-plus-11 format on their weekly call this week. Dellenger also added the sense is most would not support the model if the SEC stays at eight league games.
The SEC’s conference schedule could be a reason for the coaches’ hesitancy about the 4-4-2-2-1 model, Dellenger said. That could lead the league to add a ninth game, one of the central points of discussion during this week’s meetings. Dellenger wondered how many coaches want the additional league game, and he heard frustration was building around the 4-4-2-2-1 format.
“I think they’re not in favor of that for a few reasons,” Dellenger said. “One, I think most of the coaches in the SEC don’t want to play a ninth conference game. I think when you have a 4-4-2-2-1 format, that would lead itself to playing a ninth conference game. I don’t know how many coaches want to play these play-in games that they talked about doing, along with the 4-4-2-2-1.
“So the ADs heard today from some somewhat, I heard, frustrated coaches at this model. We have a real serious consideration here from the SEC ADs and presidents today, and then tomorrow, for this 5-11 that has more at-larges than the automatic qualifiers.”
During its spring meetings, the SEC presented documents and graphics illustrating the “gauntlet” of the regular season. It showed the strength of the conference through multiple metrics such as Massey Ratings, SP+ and strength of record.
The documents illustrated the rigor of the conference schedule. In the last 10 years, the SEC showed it only has two teams outside the Top 50 in both average strength of record and average Massey Rating. That, the league said, showed “clear evidence of the rigor of its regular season compared to other schools.”
NIL
Cooper Flagg’s NIL earnings at Duke reached staggering amount, per report
In just a few short weeks, the 2025 NBA Draft will take place, and the winner of the draft lottery, the Dallas Mavericks, already knows who they will be selecting. Unless you have been living under a rock, former Duke Blue Devils superstar and projected No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg has been the unanimous choice […]

In just a few short weeks, the 2025 NBA Draft will take place, and the winner of the draft lottery, the Dallas Mavericks, already knows who they will be selecting.
Unless you have been living under a rock, former Duke Blue Devils superstar and projected No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg has been the unanimous choice to be selected first overall since entering college.
RELATED: Major Celebrities at Madison Square Garden For New York’s Huge Game 5 Win Over Indiana
Flagg had a dominant freshman season with the Blue Devils, and according to recent reports, may have had a hard time turning down a second year in Durham due to the NIL he was raking in.
During a recent conversation between Howard Bryant and Bob Costas, Bryant revealed that by his estimations, Flagg made somewhere near $28 million due to NIL deals the future number one pick made during his collegiate career.
NIL has forever changed the landscape for college athletes. In some cases, it could even persuade a player to return to school for another year, knowing they will have financial success.
However, Flagg’s estimated $28 million might be the most any college athlete has ever made in this new era.
Of course, an NBA rookie contract will bring a lot more than $28 million. However, if the number is true, then it wouldn’t have been that big of a surprise to see Flagg return for another season of college basketball.
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NIL
College Baseball Regional 2025 Results, Highlights and Bracket from Saturday
The NCAA Division I baseball tournament continued on Saturday with elimination games in the regional rounds, followed by contests between the winners of the matchups from Friday, when the 64-team competition began. Here’s a look at the results, highlights and bracket thus far, with updates throughout Saturday on the double-elimination regionals. Most updated bracket can […]

The NCAA Division I baseball tournament continued on Saturday with elimination games in the regional rounds, followed by contests between the winners of the matchups from Friday, when the 64-team competition began.
Here’s a look at the results, highlights and bracket thus far, with updates throughout Saturday on the double-elimination regionals.
Most updated bracket can be found via this link from NCAA.com.
Wright State 7, ETSU 5 (ETSU eliminated)
Vanderbilt vs. Louisville: 9 p.m.
Southern Miss 6, Alabama 5 (Alabama eliminated)
University of Miami vs. Columbia: 9 p.m.
Northeastern 4, Bethune-Cookman 3 (Bethune-Cookman eliminated)
Florida State def. Mississippi State, 10-3
Oregon State 7, TCU 2 (TCU eliminated)
Saint Mary’s vs. USC: 9 p.m.
Nebraska 4, Holy Cross 1 (Holy Cross eliminated)
North Carolina vs. Oklahoma: 6 p.m.
Cal Poly 10, Oregon 8 (Oregon eliminated)
Arizona vs. Utah Valley: 9 p.m.
Florida 17, Fairfield 2 (Fairfield eliminated)
Coastal Carolina vs. East Carolina: 7 p.m.
North Carolina State 12, Central Connecticut State 0 (Central Connecticut State eliminated)
Auburn vs. Stetson: 9 p.m.
Kansas State 7, Houston Christian 4 (Houston Christian eliminated)
UC Irvine 8, Fresno State 3 (Fresno State eliminated)
UCLA vs. Arizona State: 9 p.m.
Ole Miss 8, Western Kentucky 6 (Western Kentucky eliminated)
Murray State vs. Georgia Tech: 6 p.m.
Oklahoma State 13, Binghamton 5 (Binghamton eliminated)
Little Rock 22, Rhode Island 10 (Rhode Island eliminated)
Kentucky 7, USC Upstate 3 (USC Upstate eliminated)
Clemson vs. West Virginia: 6 p.m.
Wake Forest 14, Miami University 13 (Miami University eliminated)
Tennessee vs. Cincinnati: 6 p.m.
North Dakota State 4, Kansas 3 (Kansas eliminated)
Arkansas vs. Creighton: 8 p.m.
Highlights and Notable Results
Nebraska recorded the day’s first win after beating Holy Cross, 4-1. Cayden Brumbaugh and Hogan Helligso each hit home runs, while Devin Nunez added four hits.
Ty Horn got the win on the mound, throwing 7.1 innings of one-run ball while striking out six.
Oklahoma State 13, Binghamton 5
Oklahoma State hit seven home runs in a 13-5 win over Binghamton to knock its foe out of the tournament. Kollin Ritchie hit two of the seven, and he now has three for the tournament. Ritchie led a back-to-back-to-back homer spurt in the bottom of the third.
Wake Forest 14, Miami University 13
Wake Forest held off a tough challenge from Miami University in a high-scoring, 14-13 affair that featured 31 hits. Luke Costello hit two home runs to produce five runs batted in to lead the Demon Deacons’ offense. His second one was a towering blast to left.
Wake Forest led 14-9 in the bottom of the ninth, but Miami fought back with four runs. The first five batters got on base. First, an Anthony Zarlingo single led to an Evan Appelwick two-run homer. Three more batters got on via a walk, hit-by-pitch and single to load the bases before a strikeout put one out on the board.
However, a Blake Buzzeo single coupled with an error brought in two more runs and put runners on the corners with one out and Miami down 14-13. After a foulout, Buzzeo stole second to get the winning run into scoring position, but another strikeout ended the game.
North Dakota State 4, Kansas 3
North Dakota State continued its Cinderella run, defeating a 43-win Kansas to remain alive in the NCAA tournament, 4-3.
Evan Gustafson’s RBI double in the fifth inning proved to be the game-winning hit.
North Dakota State is 21-33 overall, having earned an NCAA tournament berth by virtue of winning the Summit League tournament.
North Dakota State finished third in a six-team league with a 13-15 conference record but actually earned a No. 2 seed with St. Thomas ineligible due to its transition from Division III to Division I.
The Bison made the most of it, beating No. 3 seed Omaha before taking down No. 1 seed Oral Roberts (two games to none). North Dakota State lost the NCAA tournament opener 6-2 to Arkansas, but hope remains after the big win over Kansas.
Oregon, the No. 12 national seed and No. 1 in the Eugene regional, is out after a 6-5 loss to Utah Valley Friday and a 10-8 loss to Cal Poly Saturday.
The Ducks were up 8-5 in the seventh, but Cal Poly scored four in the seventh and one in the eighth for the win. Casey Murray Jr.’s two-RBI single tied the game at eight before Cam Hoiland’s RBI single gave Cal Poly a 9-8 edge. Zach Daudet added an insurance run with a solo homer in the eighth.
Murray went 4-for-4 with two runs and three RBI. He also had a solo homer in the sixth.
Little Rock 22, Rhode Island 10
Little Rock exploded for 22 runs on 20 hits, with Angel Cano doing the most damage with four hits, four runs and seven RBI.
Cano’s hits included a seventh-inning homer and a pair of doubles. The homer gave Little Rock a 15-8 lead.
Four other Little Rock players smacked three hits: Alex Seguine, Zach Henry, Ty Rhoades and Sammy Harris.
NIL
Anthony Davis slams current state of college basketball
Dallas Mavericks star Anthony Davis is one of the greatest college basketball players in recent memory, being one of just four freshmen to ever win the Wooden National Player of the Year Award (Cooper Flagg, a likely soon-to-be Maverick, is also on that list). He led Kentucky to its most recent national championship in 2012, […]

Dallas Mavericks star Anthony Davis is one of the greatest college basketball players in recent memory, being one of just four freshmen to ever win the Wooden National Player of the Year Award (Cooper Flagg, a likely soon-to-be Maverick, is also on that list). He led Kentucky to its most recent national championship in 2012, averaging 14.2 PPG, 10.4 RPG, and a ridiculous 4.7 BPG.
Had Davis played in today’s era, he would’ve made a killing off of the new Name, Image, and Likeness that is flooding college athletics. Instead, he used that elite freshman season to go first overall in the 2012 NBA Draft, going to the New Orleans Hornets.
READ MORE: Mavericks free agent predicted to land in unexpected destination
Davis recently sat down with Sports Illustrated’s Patrick Andres to discuss NIL and its impact on college basketball.
“It’s tough, because obviously they didn’t have that when I was in college,” Davis said. “It kinda takes away from the game a little bit because of—and I’m not hating—it takes away from the integrity in the sense of players are only going to certain schools because of the money.
“College basketball is still competitive, but the recruitment of it has kinda gotten a little wacky, especially when player can leave and enter the (transfer) portal and go anywhere. It just gets a little tricky,” Davis continued. “The coaches either a) have to be more strategic with their recruiting, or b) if you don’t have a lot of money for NIL, that kind of takes away your school, your program, as far as being a top recruiter for some of these players.
“Because one guy can leave the next year, transfer—it gets tough, when you start talking about culture. That kind of goes out the window, in my opinion.”
His concerns echo those of a lot of people around college basketball. It’s hard for coaches to maintain a culture and for fans to become attached to players. NIL in a vacuum is a good thing, as players deserve to be paid for the contributions they bring to a school; however, it’s the Wild West since there are no regulations governing it.
READ MORE: Scottie Scheffler proves loyalty to hometown Mavericks in viral video
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