NIL

Nike EYBL updates, a Game 7 in OKC, and Softball in the NCAAT

Good morning, folks! And a Happy Sunday to all of you, our dear readers. Did you wake up wondering about the latest recruiting efforts from Mark Pope and the Kentucky men’s basketball staff? Hey, me too! You couldn’t have picked a better time to be curious. Now that the love period is open, KSR’s Jack […]

Published

3 weeks ago

May 18, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Good morning, folks! And a Happy Sunday to all of you, our dear readers. Did you wake up wondering about the latest recruiting efforts from Mark Pope and the Kentucky men’s basketball staff? Hey, me too! You couldn’t have picked a better time to be curious. Now that the love period is open, KSR’s Jack Pilgrim and Jacob Polacheck have been roaming the gyms of Memphis over the last few days to ~~stalk~~ follow the UK coaches and see who they’re tracking on the Nike EYBL circuit.

Our good friends Jack and Jacob will be back in the gym today as well to watch even more of Kentucky’s top recruits and gather even more need-to-know intel. It’s a good time to be a KSBoard member. Dive into the links below to read up on a handful of the Wildcats’ favorite prospects and their thoughts on UK. After that, we’ll touch on the rest of this morning’s top news and notes.

Join KSR Plus! With a KSR Plus membership, you get access to bonus content and KSBoard, KSR’s message board, to chat with fellow Cats fans and get exclusive scoop.

Kentucky baseball swept, earns 13-seed in SECT

Following its 5-3 loss to No. 9 Vanderbilt in Saturday’s series finale, Kentucky will officially be the No. 13 seed in the 2025 SEC Baseball Tournament with a 13-17 conference record. It is the lowest SEC Tournament seed earned in the Nick Mingione era. UK had an opportunity to earn a more favorable seed over the last few days in Nashville, but lost all three games to Vandy despite leading every one by two or more runs.

The ‘Cats will face No. 12 seed Oklahoma in the second game on Tuesday, which will likely begin around 2:30 p.m. ET. Kentucky swept the then-No. 17-ranked Sooners last weekend in Lexington. This year’s Tournament will feature all 16 SEC teams for the first time ever, and every game will be single-elimination.

Reed Sheppard helps cleanup effort in Laurel County

Tornadoes tore through southern Kentucky earlier this week, leaving another part of the state looking for as many extra hands as possible. One of the areas hit hardest was Laurel County, home of former Kentucky player Reed Sheppard, who was quick to arrive on the scene and pitch in on the early recovery efforts.

At least 27 people have died, with others in critical condition, as Laurel and Pulaski counties sift through the rubble. Sheppard was among the hundreds of people who got right to work in trying to build their community back up.

Kentucky softball avoids NCAAT elimination

After dropping the NCAA Tournament opener to Northwestern on Friday, Kentucky softball bounced back in impressive fashion to stave off elimination. The Wildcats beat USC Upstate 11-0 in six innings and got their revenge on Northwestern 8-3 to sweep Saturday’s schedule. The offense finally woke up after going back-to-back postseason games without putting up a single run.

UK has now locked up a spot in the Clemson Regional Final with a shot at the NCAA Super Regionals on the line. Kentucky will need to beat No. 11 Clemson twice today to advance. Game one begins at 1:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+ at McWhorter Stadium.

We’re going to Game 7, Baby!

If I were going to advise a non-NBA fan to watch one NBA game this season, it would be the one happening this afternoon between a pair of highly talented former Kentucky guards.

We’ve got ourselves a Game 7 in Oklahoma City as the (1) Thunder and (4) Denver Nuggets fight for the final spot in the Conference Finals. This has been about as exciting a series as anyone could have asked for so far. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the MVP frontrunner, has been dueling with Nikola Jokic, the presumed MVP runner-up, and it’s made for some incredibly entertaining hoop.

Joining Gilgeous-Alexander for OKC is another former ‘Cat, Cason Wallace, while Jamal Murray will suit up for Denver on the other end of the floor. All three have been awesome through six games in this series. Let’s see what Game 7 holds. Tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

Best moments from “Show Me Your Tents”

From interesting mustaches to Colonel Stoops statues, we’ve got a recap video of all the most memorable props Drew Franklin saw at Kentucky football tailgates over the last three seasons.

Subscribe to the KSR YouTube Channel for press conferences, interviews, original shows, fan features, and exclusive content.

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Cooper Flagg’s NIL earnings at Duke were double his projected rookie salary

Former Duke Blue Devils standout Cooper Flagg took the college basketball world by storm during his lone season in 2024-25. As the No. 1 overall recruit in the nation, Flagg lived up to the hype, leading Duke to a 35-4 record and a Final Four appearance while earning accolades like the ACC Player of the […]

Published

24 minutes ago

June 5, 2025

Your Sports Nation

However, we all know that in today’s world, his impact extended far beyond the court. His Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) earnings reportedly reached staggering heights, surpassing even his projected NBA rookie salary.

Unprecedented NIL earnings at Duke

During an interview with Bob Costas, sports journalist Howard Bryant revealed that Flagg’s NIL earnings at Duke amounted to an astonishing $28 million. This figure, which includes a massive $13 million deal with New Balance and another whopping $15 million deal with Fanatics, dwarfed earlier estimates of $4.8 million by On3. These contracts represent multi-year totals, but even so, they highlight Flagg’s unparalleled marketability as a college athlete. He also signed additional deals with brands like Gatorade, Cort Furniture, and The NIL Store which further boosted his earnings, and made him one of the highest-paid college athletes ever.

How Flagg’s NIL deals were structured

Flagg’s partnership with New Balance, which he signed in August of 2024, was a landmark deal that reflected his Maine roots with the brand’s nearby manufacturing presence. The Fanatics deal further cemented his status as a marketable star, which included exclusive merchandise like Topps Bowman basketball cards. Combined with his endoresments from Gatorade and others, these deals capitalized on Flagg’s on-court dominance, where he averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. His off-court charisma also lended a hand in landing these contracts, as he is well-known as a humble guy who works hard.

Comparing NIL earnings to NBA rookie salary

Flagg is projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, which the Dallas Mavericks miracuously landed, with a four-year rookie contract estimated at $62.7 million, including $13.8 million in the first year. Remarkably, his $28 million in NIL earnings at Duke is more than double this first-year NBA salary. The transformative power of NIL in college sports has been felt heavily in the past few seasons, where elite athletes like Flagg can out earn their early professional contracts while still in school.

Why NIL earnings are changing college sports

The NIL era has seemingly redefined college athletics, enabling athletes to monetize their personal brands. Flagg’s case is a prime example of this, as his earnings rival those of top NBA rookies. As Costas noted, this finacial dynamic is even more impactful for athletes who can earn more in college than in professional leagues like the WNBA, where top salaries are significantly lower. Flagg’s success is just one highlight of how NIL deals can incentivize athletes to stay in college longer, even though he opted for the NBA after one season.

As Flagg prepares for the NBA, his NIL deals are going to follow him, which allows him to supplement his rookie contract with continued endoresments. When you combine his ongoing brand partnerships with his projected $62.7 million NBA deal, he is positioned very well for a lucrative professional career. Flagg’s ability to dominate not only on the court, but also in the business world, signals a new era for athletes who can leverage their college fame into gigantic financial opportunities.

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Texas Tech’s NiJaree Canady faces toughest challenge yet after Game 1 heartbreak | National News

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — NiJaree Canady has achieved almost everything since transferring to Texas Tech from Stanford and signing an NIL deal worth just over $1 million. She led the Red Raiders to three firsts — the Big 12 regular season and tournament titles and a berth in the Women’s College World Series. She was […]

Published

26 minutes ago

June 5, 2025

Your Sports Nation

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — NiJaree Canady has achieved almost everything since transferring to Texas Tech from Stanford and signing an NIL deal worth just over $1 million.

She led the Red Raiders to three firsts — the Big 12 regular season and tournament titles and a berth in the Women’s College World Series. She was the National Fastpitch Coaches Association’s Pitcher of the Year for the second straight year and leads the nation in wins (33) and ERA (0.94).

The only thing missing is a national championship and that goal will be the toughest to reach after she gave up a late lead in Game 1 of the best-of-three championship series to Texas on Wednesday. After the 2-1 loss, the Red Raiders must beat the Longhorns in two straight to win the national title.

Canady, who threw 88 pitches in Game 1, is battling a soft tissue injury on her left leg suffered in the preseason that has severely limited her practice time. She still expects to be ready for Game 2 on Thursday.

“I’m fine,” a dejected Canady said. “I have all summer to rest. I’m ready to play softball.”

Canady lost the lead when she threw what was supposed be ball four and an intentional walk close enough for Texas’ Reese Atwood to make contact. Atwood knocked in what turned out to be the game winning runs in the sixth inning, putting the Longhorns one win from their first national title.

Atwood knew she was fortunate to get that pitch from Canady.

“Props to NiJa, because she definitely kept us real tight throughout that game,” she said. “She’s a great pitcher. I saw my opportunity and I took it.”

Canady has thrown every pitch for the Red Raiders during the World Series, but Tech coach Gerry Glasco did not guarantee his ace would start on Thursday, saying he needs to watch out for her long-term health. Glasco said Canady is such a competitor that she might not be fully honest about her condition.

“If you know NiJa, she’s not going to complain, she’s not going to tell you,” he said. “We’ll have to really dig, and hopefully the trainer can get her to communicate enough that he’ll get a good assessment. I want to win, but also I want to be sure we leave this season healthy for the future.”

That being said, Glasco expects Canady to be ready. Her competitive drive is one of the reasons recruiting her was a priority when he became Tech’s coach before this season.

Canady has been on the hot seat before. She led Stanford to the national semifinals the previous two seasons and was the winning pitcher on Monday when Tech knocked out four-time defending national champion Oklahoma.

“As far as NiJa tomorrow, if you’ve got to pick a pitcher in America to come back and win two games in a row with — I’ll take NiJa,” he said. “If anybody can do what we need to do to come back, I’m thrilled to have NiJa do it.”

AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports

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How a Texas bill would change NIL laws for college athletes

Texas colleges could soon pay their student athletes. With the NCAA expected to end its decades-old prohibition on universities paying players directly, Texas lawmakers authored a bill to change state law and allow schools to do so. Under House Bill 126, which is awaiting Gov. Greg Abbott’s signature, colleges could enter into name, image and […]

Published

46 minutes ago

June 5, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Texas colleges could soon pay their student athletes.

With the NCAA expected to end its decades-old prohibition on universities paying players directly, Texas lawmakers authored a bill to change state law and allow schools to do so.

Under House Bill 126, which is awaiting Gov. Greg Abbott’s signature, colleges could enter into name, image and likeness agreements with their athletes. Current state law allows students to have NIL agreements only with third-party brands.

The bill would allow athletes 17 or older to be paid after they have enrolled in college, but it would not extend the provision to high school students.

Schools could provide a total of $20.5 million to their athletes annually, and they would be able to use it as a tool to recruit high school athletes as well, which is not allowed under current rules.

University leaders told lawmakers the legislation is necessary to attract talent to the state and keep homegrown talent under the expected NCAA changes.

Abbott has until June 22 to sign or veto bills. If signed, the NIL law would take effect Sept. 1.

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High school football player files NIL lawsuit in California

CLEVELAND, Ohio — A former high school football player has filed a class-action lawsuit in California. It has the potential to set a precedent for Name, Image and Likness rules across the United States, if successful, according to a report from Reuters. Dominik Calhoun, a 2025 graduate of Pittsburg High School in California and member […]

Published

55 minutes ago

June 5, 2025

Your Sports Nation

High school football player files NIL lawsuit in California

Dominik Calhoun, a 2025 graduate of Pittsburg High School in California and member of Boise State’s incoming recruiting class at safety, is the plaintiff in the suit against the California Interscholastic Federation.

It follows year of litigation against the NCAA, starting with cases such as former UCLA basketball player Ed O’Bannon’s suit, that opened the door for college athletes to earn money through NIL.

“Like the cases that have led to important reforms in college sports,” said attorney Yaman Salahi, who filed the suit Friday in San Francisco, for the Reuters report, “we’re asking a simple question: if corporations are cashing in on high school athletes’ hard work, then why can’t the athletes themselves? We’re pushing to make the system fairer and to bring long-overdue rights to young athletes.”

The CIF, which had yet to respond as of Thursday morning to Reuters, also is not the only target in the athlete’s suit. Spectrum SportsNet LLC, which has regional networks throughout the country including California and Ohio, is among the defendants. Spectrum is the official television partner of the Ohio High School Athletic Association.

SBLive Sports Inc., which is now under the umbrella of Sports Illustrated, also is named in the suit.

California has NIL provisions in its bylaws. Thirty high schools have NIL permissions. California allows student-athletes to receive payments from third parties in “narrow circumstances,” the lawsuit stated according to Reuters. Endorsements cannot be made, however, on school property or with school uniforms.

In 2022, Bronny James and Juju Watkins signed NIL deals with Nike while in high school. Both attended Sierra Canyon, which is in the CIF.

Payments from broadcasting agreements, ticket sales and sponsorships are not allowed by the CIF. Calhoun is challenging that and the CIF’s player-eligibility rules that restrict transferring between schools for athletic reasons.

The suit has been filed in the same Northern California District that has heard several NIL cases against the NCAA, according to Front Office Sports, which also obtained a copy of the complaint.

“These policies harm the high school student-athletes who create the economic value exploited by the CIF, its Sections, its member schools, and their commercial partners, and constitute unreasonable restraints of trade in violation of Section 1 of the Sherman Act,” the complaint read, according to Front Office Sports.

Ohio is not among the 30 states that allow NIL in some form. OHSAA member schools voted down an NIL proposal in 2022 by a count of 538 to 254. Since then, Florida has adopted NIL. So have some states that border Ohio, including Pennsylvania and Kentucky.

NIL

FBS GM warns of fake offers circulating on social media

While a handful of college football programs had employed a general manager position prior to the transfer portal, it was the portal’s introduction that sparked an absolute need for the role on every major college football campus in the country. Their duties stretch far beyond the portal to include NIL, roster management, scouting and recruiting, […]

Published

1 hour ago

June 5, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Their duties stretch far beyond the portal to include NIL, roster management, scouting and recruiting, along with a list of other things that are too lengthy to appropriately cover here.

One of those peripheral additional duties, is blowing the whistle on fake scholarship offers, as UAB’s Lino Lupinetti found himself doing this morning.

“Multiple fake ‘offers’ claiming to be from UAB have been sent out recently. These come from people with ZERO ties to our staff or program,” Lupinetti shared on X earlier today.

He went on to shed light on the three accounts guilty of extending the bogus offers, while adding that the Blazers will “NEVER” send an offer via text or direct message.

While fake scholarship offers are not something necessarily new, power users of the X platform have all surely noticed an increase in fake accounts, bots, and other questionable accounts, so it’s something that high school coaches, college coaches, and recruits need to be aware of and diligent about verifying.

Dilfer and the Blazers are entering a critical year three of his tenure with the Blazers, after going 4-8 the first season and 3-9 last year. He landed the opportunity at UAB following a 44-10 run over four seasons at Lipscomb Academy (TN) which followed a 14-year career in the NFL.

Multiple fake “offers” claiming to be from UAB have been sent out recently. These come from people with ZERO ties to our staff or program. Watch out for these 3 accounts.

UAB will NEVER send an offer via text or DM. pic.twitter.com/d9R4nQIdi2

— Lino Lupinetti (@lino_lupinetti) June 4, 2025