Heupel’s Steadfast Principles Amid NIL Landscape

In an era where name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals dominate the college football landscape, Josh Heupel stands as a beacon of integrity. While other programs may prioritize financial incentives to attract top talent, Heupel’s unwavering commitment to his principles sets him apart. The contrasting approaches within the sport have never been more stark, with some coaches, like Sherrone Moore, reportedly going to extraordinary lengths—such as offering a staggering $12 million to secure a recruit. Yet, Heupel, the head coach of Tennessee, has chosen a different path, one rooted in values over monetary allure.

Navigating Roster Challenges

As Tennessee confronts significant roster challenges, the pressure mounts for Heupel to maintain both his ethical stance and the competitive edge of his program. The Volunteers are at a pivotal juncture, where decisions made today will resonate throughout the upcoming seasons. The landscape of college football is shifting rapidly, with NIL deals reshaping recruitment strategies and player retention. In this environment, Heupel’s resolve to prioritize character and team cohesion over short-term financial gains speaks volumes about his vision for the program.

The Bigger Picture of Integrity in College Football

Heupel’s approach is not merely a personal choice; it reflects a broader philosophy within college athletics. The influx of NIL opportunities has created a complex web of incentives that can sometimes overshadow the core values of teamwork and dedication. By adhering to his principles, Heupel is not only fostering a culture of integrity but also encouraging players to consider the long-term implications of their decisions. This commitment to ethics may ultimately serve as a differentiator for Tennessee, attracting recruits who share similar values.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Tennessee Football

As the Volunteers navigate these turbulent waters, the implications of Heupel’s leadership style will become increasingly apparent. The challenge lies not only in managing the roster effectively but also in cultivating a team that embodies the spirit of the university. Heupel’s steadfastness may inspire a new generation of players who value loyalty and hard work over lucrative contracts.

In a world where the allure of instant gratification can be overwhelming, Heupel’s journey with Tennessee is a testament to the power of principles in shaping a program’s identity. The future of Tennessee football hinges on this delicate balance—between embracing the realities of NIL and upholding the values that define collegiate athletics. As the season unfolds, it will be fascinating to see how Heupel’s commitment to integrity influences both the players and the broader college football community.

The NHL is reportedly set to expand its regular season schedule to 84 games per team as part of its new CBA; the NCAA is weighing whether to expand its men’s and women’s basketball tournaments to 76 teams. Plus, more sports media news.

NHL to extend regular season to 84 games per team in new CBA

The NHL and NHL Players Association announced Friday that they have reached a new four-year collective bargaining agreement, marking just the second time in Gary Bettman’s tenure that a CBA has been reached without the owners first locking out the players.

According to multiple reports, the NHL will expand its regular season from 82 to 84 games per team in the new CBA, returning to the number of games the league played from 1992-94. That is the first expansion of any of the four major pro sports regular season schedules since the NFL added a 17th game in 2021.

The expansion to 84 games is an unusual step in an era where most leagues are being encouraged to reduce their schedules.

NCAA weighs expansion of men’s, women’s, basketball tournaments

The NCAA is weighing whether to expand its men’s and women’s basketball tournaments to as many as 76 teams beginning next season, with a decision expected within weeks, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported this week. The NCAA has for months discussed potential expansion with its media partners — CBS and TNT Sports for the men’s tournament and ESPN for the women’s.

The NCAA last expanded the men’s basketball tournament — to the current 68 teams — in 2011, coinciding with the start of the CBS-TNT Sports deal. The women’s tournament expanded in kind a decade later.

Disney, Charter, reach deal with no drama

Nearly two years after a protracted dispute, Disney and Charter announced a new carriage agreement this week that will give subscribers of Charter’s Spectrum TV service free access to the ad-supported version of Hulu and restore eight channels that were dropped in the prior negotiation two years ago — including FXX (once Fox Soccer Channel), Freeform (formerly ABC Family) and DisneyXD (which annually simulcasts the NFL Pro Bowl).

The agreement comes nearly two years after a dispute between Charter and Disney in which the carrier dropped Disney’s various channels — including ESPN and ABC — at the start of the football season and even threatened to abandon its cable distribution business.

Baseball writer Miller dies

The baseball writer Scott Miller, who in the course of a three-decade career worked for The New York Times, St. Paul Pioneer Press, CBS Sports and Bleacher Report, died last week at 62. The cause was cancer. Miller — who also worked for the Los Angeles Times, but not primarily covering baseball — covered every World Series from 1991 until he was diagnosed in 2023.

In addition to his written work, which included two baseball-related books, Miller served as an analyst on Padres postgame shows for Fox Sports San Diego and for MLB Network Radio.

A Suffolk County native was drafted in the NHL draft on Friday — but not to the team local fans hoped for.

James Hagens, who grew up in Hauppauge, N.Y., was selected by the Bruins with the No. 7 overall pick.

Hagens, 18, has played one season of college hockey with Boston College, where he scored 11 goals and notched 26 assists in 37 games.

The center was also a member of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program during the 2022-23 season, when he ranked second on the squad in scoring with 26 goals and 40 assists in 43 games.

Hagens grew up a fan of the Islanders, with many supporters hoping that the team would trade up for him in the draft.

There was much speculation on whether the Islanders would find a way to get another top-10 selection and pick Hagens, who came into this past season as the potential No. 1 pick.

Rather than trading into the top 10, the Islanders ultimately opted for a deal that sent Noah Dobson to the Canadiens for the No. 16 and No. 17 picks along with winger Emil Heineman shortly before the draft.

With those picks, the Islanders ended up selecting Swedish left wing Victor Eklund and Canadian defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson.

Despite stating multiple times that he would be happy no matter who selected him, Hagens noted his excitement if he wound up being drafted by his hometown team.

“Somewhere you grew up, something you put so much pride in as a kid and still to this day, it’d be really something that would be really cool,” Hagens told reporters Thursday. “Being able to come home, to go back to where it all started, it’d be special. 

“I’ve been around it for my whole life. It’s what got me to love hockey. It’s something I know and love.”

Players entering the NHL in the 2026-27 season and beyond will be required to wear cut-resistant neck guards as part of the new collective bargaining agreement between the NHL and NHL Players’ Association, league sources told The Athletic.

Players with at least one game played before that season will be grandfathered in and won’t be required to wear the neck guards.

The NHL follows the AHL, which required all players and on-ice officials to wear the protective equipment beginning this past season. The IIHF made neck guards mandatory for all levels of competition — including the Olympics and men’s and women’s world championships — following Adam Johnson’s tragic death in October 2023.

Johnson, 29, was playing for the Nottingham Panthers in England’s Elite Ice Hockey League when his neck was cut by an opponent’s skate blade during a game.

A small percentage of NHL players have adopted the protective equipment since. During the league’s general manager meetings last September, NHL senior executive vice president Colin Campbell revealed that only 55 of 700 skaters (7.7 percent) were wearing the equipment. A higher percentage of players have started wearing cut-resistant undergarments around their wrists and legs.

Los Angeles Kings star Anze Kopitar wore a neck guard for the entire 2024-25 season, as did Pittsburgh’s Erik Karlsson, Buffalo’s Rasmus Dahlin, and Detroit’s Marco Kasper. Vegas Golden Knights center William Karlsson adopted the apparel late in the season after the team acquired veteran forward Brandon Saad, who also wears the neck guard.

Similar to how the league introduced mandatory helmets in 1979, the neck guards will only be mandatory for players making their NHL debut in the 2026-27 season.

This was first reported by Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli.

(Photo: Brett Carlsen / Getty Images)