NIL
Quinn Ewers offers advice to next generation of college recruits
Miami Dolphins rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers offered advice to aspiring college football players during this week’s NFLPA Rookie Premiere, emphasizing the importance of consistency and presence amid the pressures of recruiting and the ever-evolving landscape of NIL deals. Ewers, a former Texas Longhorns standout and the No. 1 overall recruit in the Class of 2021, […]

Miami Dolphins rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers offered advice to aspiring college football players during this week’s NFLPA Rookie Premiere, emphasizing the importance of consistency and presence amid the pressures of recruiting and the ever-evolving landscape of NIL deals.
Ewers, a former Texas Longhorns standout and the No. 1 overall recruit in the Class of 2021, spoke with On3 about his journey and the lessons he hopes to impart to the next generation of athletes.
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“Just be present, especially if you’re in high school and you’re not receiving as many offers or whatever it is-coaches aren’t recognizing you as much,” Ewers said. “Just remain present and continue to be consistent. As long as you stay consistent, you’re going to end up where you want to be, at the end of the day. That’s just how it goes.”
Ewers, who began his collegiate career at Ohio State before transferring to Texas, acknowledged his own privileged position as a highly recruited player. “I was lucky enough to be a highly recruited guy, but I just tried to stay as consistent as I could as long as I could, which, at the end of the day, helped me a ton,” he said. “That’s all it is about-remaining present and taking care of business and letting all the other stuff fall in line, because it will if you really put the work in.”
His message comes at a time when young athletes face unprecedented opportunities and distractions, from social media attention to lucrative NIL deals. Ewers’ advice to “take care of business” and trust the process is a reminder of the fundamentals that underpin long-term success.
After leading Texas to back-to-back College Football Playoff appearances, Ewers chose to enter the 2025 NFL Draft, forgoing his final season of eligibility and a reported $8 million in potential NIL earnings. Despite sliding to the seventh round, he signed with the Dolphins and is expected to make his professional debut in the preseason. The four-year deal Ewers accepted will reportedly be worth $4.3 million. For Ewers, the next step is clear: stay present, work hard, and let the results speak for themselves.
This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Quinn Ewers shares best advice for next generation of college recruits
NIL
Anonymous SEC Coach Reveals The Most ‘Effectively Run’ Team In College Football
The expectations ahead of Steve Sarkisian’s fifth season at Texas couldn’t be any higher. Next season will mark the beginning of the Arch Manning era, in which the sophomore is already the projected favorite to win the Heisman Trophy. The Longhorns have made back-to-back College Football Playoff appearances, winning their first two CFP games in […]

The expectations ahead of Steve Sarkisian’s fifth season at Texas couldn’t be any higher. Next season will mark the beginning of the Arch Manning era, in which the sophomore is already the projected favorite to win the Heisman Trophy.
The Longhorns have made back-to-back College Football Playoff appearances, winning their first two CFP games in program history last season. Their run ended with a disappointing loss to Ohio State in the CFP semifinals.
There’s no question that Texas has adjusted well to the new NIL era of the sport. This sentiment was echoed by anonymous head coaches who spoke with Athlon Sports ahead of the 2025 college football season.
“This program is one of the most effectively run in terms of personnel, NIL, and the new era of the sport,” an anonymous SEC coach said.
Another coach mentioned how Texas is professionalizing better than most other programs, while highlighting the potential of the program if Manning lives up to the hype in his first season as a full-time starter.
“If Manning blows up and goes to the league next year, this is still the program to chase,” an anonymous coach said. “They’re professionalizing in a way other programs aren’t.”
The on-field success has transferred to the recruiting trail as the Longhorns signed the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class. The class was headlined by five-star safety Jonah Williams and defensive tackle Justus Terry. According to On3, the Longhorns’ 2025 recruiting class had an NIL value of almost $200K, which was the second-highest valuation in the SEC.
Texas will kick off the season against Ohio State in one of the most-anticipated games of the year. Kickoff is scheduled for Aug. 30 at 11 a.m. CT on FOX. It will also be the host site for ESPN’s College GameDay as Lee Corso makes his final appearance on the flagship show.
NIL
Federal judge denies Zakai Zeigler’s push for fifth season of eligibility
The U.S. Department of Justice and NCAA both told Zakai Zeigler to get a job. Now, a federal judge has ruled against the former Tennessee guard — doesn’t it feel great to say that? — and siding with all that is good in this world. Zeigler’s request for a preliminary injunction that would allow him […]

The U.S. Department of Justice and NCAA both told Zakai Zeigler to get a job. Now, a federal judge has ruled against the former Tennessee guard — doesn’t it feel great to say that? — and siding with all that is good in this world.
Zeigler’s request for a preliminary injunction that would allow him to play a fifth season of college basketball has been denied, On3’s Pete Nakos reports, ending his career as a Volunteer and starting his pursuit of going pro in something other than sports.
He initially filed a lawsuit against the NCAA regarding his eligibility back in May, alleging that the rule permitting just four seasons of competition in a five-year window is “in an unlawful restraint of trade under federal and state antitrust laws.” In the same lawsuit, he alleges his NIL valuation for the upcoming season would fall between $2 million and $4 million based on his value as an “upperclassman with a proven performance record and high visibility, especially in a high-profile conference like the SEC.”
The NCAA responded by saying Zeigler’s push for a fifth year — and anyone else doing the same — hurts future student-athletes, particularly incoming freshmen in need of those roster spots the post-graduate players out of eligibility are trying to take. He felt it would allow him to not only earn one final lucrative NIL deal in college, but he’d also continue his pro development. They said if he “had a viable path to the NBA, given his resume, he would already be a viable prospect. After all, NBA scouts would have seen him play in 138 collegiate contests. … There is no evidence that one more season of participation in college basketball is necessary (for Zeigler to play professionally)” considering he’s already met the age and experience requirements to enter the draft, but passed multiple times in favor of a degree.
“While Plaintiff focuses only on what that means for himself, he does so to the detriment of the entering student-athletes who dream of being the next Zakai Zeigler,” the NCAA said. “… College athletics is a means to a better end for student-athletes — not the end itself.”
The back-and-forth was so egregious the U.S. Department of Justice even decided to get involved — a first in eligibility cases. They asked the court to apply a “flexible rule-of-reason approach” when hearing the case while considering the NCAA v. Alston ruling in 2021 regarding the violation of antitrust laws, making it clear eligibility rules help maintain fairness and academic standards. Following those rules can prevent schools from gaining unfair athletic advantages and distinguish them from professional sports.
Today, U.S. District Judge Katherine A. Crytzer agreed.
“This Court is a court of law, not policy,” Crytzer said in the denial. “What the NCAA should do as a policy matter to benefit student athletes is beyond the reach of the Sherman Act and TTPA and by extension, this Court.”
Zeigler’s representation, to no one’s surprise, said they disagreed with the decision and would continue to fight for his right to play.
“We are disappointed the Court declined to grant a preliminary injunction on the basis that the NCAA does not directly control NIL compensation, just days after the House settlement confirmed they would do exactly that,” Litson PLLC and the Garza Law Firm said. “This ruling is just the first chapter of what we believe will ultimately be a successful challenge. We intend to press forward and are evaluating the best path ahead for Zakai.”
Keep on trying, it’s not gonna work. Your time is done. Goodbye Zakai, it was nice. Hope you find your paradise — as long as it’s not on a college basketball floor.
NIL
Ohio State has 36 varsity sports. So how will it handle revenue sharing and NIL?
COLUMBUS, Ohio — College athletic departments across the country have long been preparing for approval of the House v. NCAA settlement, which is ushering in a new revenue-sharing era of college sports. Few have more decisions to make than Ohio State, which boasts 36 Division I sports teams. So what will the Buckeyes do when […]

COLUMBUS, Ohio — College athletic departments across the country have long been preparing for approval of the House v. NCAA settlement, which is ushering in a new revenue-sharing era of college sports. Few have more decisions to make than Ohio State, which boasts 36 Division I sports teams.
So what will the Buckeyes do when revenue sharing takes effect July 1 and $20.5 million can be shared with athletes?
Much of the department’s energy has gone to finding the correct model for an athletic department that has been firm in its commitment to keeping all of its varsity sports. The model, which athletic director Ross Bjork broke down with reporters Thursday, includes spending $18 million across four sports: football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball and women’s volleyball.
Though Bjork wouldn’t divulge how much each program is getting, he did say Ohio State chose those four sports based on its own metric-based system.
“The sports are popular, the Big Ten is a leader in volleyball and we want to get better,” Bjork said. “Coach (Jen) Flynn Oldenburg is working on a plan to get us back on track. With the attention we can receive, the Columbus market, volleyball is a booming sport and the Covelli Center is an amazing atmosphere.”
The other $2.5 million will be used to fund 91 new scholarships the department is adding for its 36 sports. According to the settlement, every new scholarship must count against the $20.5 million cap, with a maximum value of $2.5 million.
Bjork, who is nearing the one-year mark as Ohio State’s athletic director, is a fan of the newest change to college athletics.
“The main thing is clarity,” Bjork said. “Does it solve everything? Does it solve the employment piece? No, it doesn’t. Does it address Title IX and how that plays out? No, it doesn’t. So it’s not perfect, but it’s progress that we never had. It’s transformational progress.”
Ohio State’s plans don’t stop with the $20.5 million cap. On Tuesday, Ohio State announced the creation of the Buckeye Sports Group, a new name, image and likeness entity that takes the Buckeyes’ NIL efforts in-house. It will be run jointly by the athletic department and Learfield’s Ohio State Sports Properties to facilitate contracts and deals with athletes.
The days of NIL collectives like The Foundation and The 1870 Society working independently are gone, though they will serve in an advisory capacity to the new group.
While the settlement gives every athletic department in the country a set revenue-sharing cap, athletic departments can facilitate NIL deals with companies as long as the amount is based on a “fair market value.” Every third-party deal that exceeds $600 is subject to approval through a clearinghouse established by the College Sports Commission.
Ohio State should be well positioned to take advantage of the new rules, given its historical success, its status as the reigning national champion in football, its revenue as a premier program in the Big Ten and its large fan base, both locally and nationally. Bjork cited the fact that Columbus is the 14th largest city in the United States with 16 Fortune 1,000 companies and 50 companies that employ over 1,000 people. That’s a large base to begin with from an NIL perspective.
“Part of the analysis was how do we continue to capitalize on the brand and the city?” Bjork said. “The really cool thing is they may not have gone to school here, they lived in Ohio, went to school here, moved away, but they are Buckeye fans. Countless people I run into are in that category. It’s how do we reach those people? How do we do a statewide tour? Those are all things we’re mapping out.”
The job of the NIL entity will be to take the companies that are doing deals with Learfield and the Ohio State Properties already and match them with athletes, while also finding new companies to create partnerships with. The companies will pay the athletes, but the Buckeye Sports Group will help arrange the deal.
“We think we are in a really competitive spot, and if you layer in the third-party NIL environment, we are in a competitive spot,” Bjork said. “Now we have to orchestrate that, arrange that and make sure it meets fair market value. Ohio State football is a built-to-last championship brand. That’s not going away.”
In addition to funding 91 new scholarships across its varsity sports, Ohio State will also be able to help find NIL deals for the athletes in sports that may be overlooked. When Ohio State began thinking about its model, one of the first things it said was that it was not going to cut a sport.
“It’s the right thing to do based on legacy, history and an opportunity for those young people,” Bjork said.
(Photo: Jason Mowry / Getty Images)
NIL
NHL Teams See 9% Sponsorship Revenue Hike To $1.5B
With focus on rising sports media and marketing efforts, NHL team sponsorship revenue climbed 9% year-over-year to $1.5 billion for the 2024-25 season, according to SponsorUnited. The average sponsorship deal is now at $529,000. Overall sponsorship revenue for the league is up 20% since the 2022-23 TV season. It notes … 0


The average
sponsorship deal is now at $529,000. Overall sponsorship revenue for the league is up 20% since the 2022-23 TV season.
It notes …
NIL
UTC hopes opting in on NCAA settlement will retain more athletes
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga athletic director Mark Wharton announced Thursday that the school will be opting in when it comes to the settlement for the House v. 0


University of Tennessee at Chattanooga athletic director Mark Wharton announced Thursday that the school will be opting in when it comes to the settlement for the House v.
NIL
College coaching legend John Calipari has a hilarious take on NIL money
College basketball coaching legend John Calipari has long been known for his candid approach to speaking his mind. He has little regard for the opinions of others when it comes to his thoughts on the state of the game that he loves. As the 96th coach inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in the […]

College basketball coaching legend John Calipari has long been known for his candid approach to speaking his mind. He has little regard for the opinions of others when it comes to his thoughts on the state of the game that he loves. As the 96th coach inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in the class of 2025, Calipari has the resume to back up any of his assertions.
While he struggled to adjust to the NBA game as a coach, he has won at every school he has been at in the collegiate ranks. UMass, Memphis, Kentucky, and now Arkansas were all elite programs vying for National Championships every year while he was coaching there. While the University of Arkansas certainly has one of the biggest name, image, and likeness (NIL) backers in the Walton family (heirs to the Wal-Mart fortune), Calipari himself has been critical of the program. He recently shared some hilarious insights on NIL.
My new favorite Coach Calipari quote:
“There were 26-, 27-year-old players playing against 18-year-olds. I look at a kid, he’s waving to his wife and their kids in the stands. And it was the second wife. He was using the NIL for alimony for the first one”
https://t.co/RRuEvOUwCY
— pinto (@pinto479) June 12, 2025
Coach Cal was poking fun at the fact that NIL has enticed many kids to stay in college longer. They can earn millions while in college, despite not being NBA-ready. Former Michigan Wolverine and Kansas Jayhawks center Hunter Dickinson utilized every year of his eligibility to earn millions, with little to no chance of making it to the NBA. Calipari gained fame for his use of the “one-and-done” player while at Kentucky. He recruited elite five-star talent to come to Lexington for one year, knowing it was merely a brief stop before the NBA.
While Calipari is certainly utilizing NIL to build his roster, he has a negative feeling about the whole process. It sounds like he views it as a stain on the game and is determined to distribute dollars equally among his team. Regardless of how he approaches it, he never fails to provide a hilarious context when asked about trending topics.
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