15 — Consecutive Kentucky Derby calls it will be for NBC announcer Larry Collmus when he calls the race on Saturday, the longest streak for any broadcaster on national television (USA TODAY, 4/30)
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NOLAN O’HARA Nolan O’Hara covers all things Minnesota sports, primarily the Timberwolves, for Bring Me The News and Sports Illustrated’s On SI network. He previously worked as a copy editor at the St. Paul Pioneer Press and is a graduate of the University of Minnesota’s Hubbard School of Journalism. His work has appeared in the […]
Nolan O’Hara covers all things Minnesota sports, primarily the Timberwolves, for Bring Me The News and Sports Illustrated’s On SI network. He previously worked as a copy editor at the St. Paul Pioneer Press and is a graduate of the University of Minnesota’s Hubbard School of Journalism. His work has appeared in the Pioneer Press, Ratchet & Wrench magazine, the Minnesota Daily and a number of local newspapers in Minnesota, among other publications.
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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.”
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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
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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 […]
Listen to this articleSummary:
– 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.”
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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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Mountaineers Fall to Marshall in Charleston
Next Game: Texas Tech 5/2/2025 | 6:30 p.m. May. 02 (Fri) / 6:30 p.m. Texas Tech CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The No. 16 West Virginia University baseball team fell to Marshall, 7-6, Wednesday evening at GoMart Ballpark. The Mountaineers drop to 37-6 while the Thundering Herd improve to 24-22. Senior […]
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The No. 16 West Virginia University baseball team fell to Marshall, 7-6, Wednesday evening at GoMart Ballpark. The Mountaineers drop to 37-6 while the Thundering Herd improve to 24-22.
Senior Kyle West went 3-for-4 with a double, home run and two RBI. Juniors Skylar King and Sam White each had two hits on the night as well.
The Mountaineers took an early lead with two runs in the first on a double from West and a Herd error. Marshall got one run back in the home half of the inning with a solo home run.
White hit an RBI double in the third to push the lead to 3-1, but Marshall responded in the fourth with three runs to jump in front. West then hit a solo home run in the fifth to even up the game once again.
Senior Grant Hussey had an RBI single in the sixth to put WVU on top before senior Brodie Kresser drove in a run with a groundout. The lead did not last long as Marshall scored two in the bottom of the inning to tie the game at six after six.
Juniors Carson Estridge and Ben McDougal both posted scoreless outings on the mound to get to the ninth still tied. With two runners and one out in the bottom of the ninth, Marshall brought home the winning run on a Mountaineer error.
The Mountaineers return to Big 12 play this weekend against Texas Tech at Kendrick Family Ballpark. First pitch on Friday is set for 6:30 p.m.
For more information on the Mountaineers, follow @WVUBaseball on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
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Closing Bell
John Elway‘s former agent Jeff Sperbeck dies after fall…On3 acquires Rivals, partners with Yahoo Sports…NBC Sports to debut Milan Cortina promo at Derby. Jeff Sperbeck (r), the longtime friend, business partner and former agent of Pro Football HOFer John Elway, died Wednesday at age 62. Instagram: 7Cellars Jeff Sperbeck, the longtime friend, business partner and […]
John Elway‘s former agent Jeff Sperbeck dies after fall…On3 acquires Rivals, partners with Yahoo Sports…NBC Sports to debut Milan Cortina promo at Derby.
Jeff Sperbeck, the longtime friend, business partner and former agent of Pro Football HOFer John Elway, died Wednesday “from injuries suffered when he fell off a golf cart” reportedly being driven by Elway. Sperbeck was 62. Sperbeck “was injured Saturday night” in La Quinta, Calif., and was “declared dead early Wednesday at a Palm Springs hospital.” According to TMZ, Elway “was driving the golf cart when Sperbeck fell off and hit his head on asphalt.” A source said Sperbeck “had been sitting in the passenger seat.” TMZ also reported that he “had been on life support following the fall.” The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office is “investigating the incident,” though TMZ reported that “there was no indication that Elway was driving negligently when Sperbeck fell” (ESPN.com, 4/30).
Sperbeck had been an NFL agent “to more than 100 players, coaches and executives,” and he “was the type of agent and marketing rep who stayed in touched with his clients long after the NFL careers ended.” That was evidenced especially with Elway, as the two had “varied businesses partnerships,” from 7Cellars wine to the Elway restaurants. Sperbeck has been Elway‘s marketing representative “since the latter’s prime” as Broncos QB in the early 1990s, “a relationship that grew into a close friendship” (9NEWS.com, 4/30).
Elway released the following statement: “I am absolutely devastated and heartbroken by the passing of my close friend, business partner and agent Jeff Sperbeck. There are no words to truly express the profound sadness I feel with the sudden loss of someone who has meant so much to me. My heart and deepest sympathies go out to Jeff’s wife, Cori; his children Carly, Sam and Jackson; and everyone who knew and loved him. Jeff will be deeply missed for the loyalty, wisdom, friendship and love he brought into my life and the lives of so many others” (9NEWS.com, 4/30).
Here is a sampling of social media reaction to the news:
- WCPG co-founder & Partner Harrie Bakst: “On a somber note, I am devastated to hear about the passing of our friend and colleague Jeff Sperbeck. … Jeff was such an amazing person and an incredibly successful NFL agent, who treated everyone with such respect and grace no matter who you were. We will miss you my friend.”
- Sports writer Gary Myers: “So sad to hear about the death of Jeff Sperbeck after falling off the golf cart reportedly driven by John Elway. Jeff was well known in the NFL community representing players. He was the brother-in-law of former Jets QB Ken O’Brien, who is married to Jeff’s sister Stacey. RIP.”
- Broncos beat writer Zac Stevens: “Incredibly tragic. Thoughts to Sperbeck’s friends and family.”
- Sports communications professional Joe Favorito: “Such horrible news. Was lucky to have worked with Jeff on the Coach Knapp Stair Climb the last few yrs raising $$ for distracted driving in memory of longtime NFL coach Gregg Knapp who was killed by a distracted driver.”
The ownership group behind On3 has reached an agreement to acquire Rivals from Yahoo Sports. On3 and Rivals will create a network offering coverage of college and high school sports, recruiting, and the NIL landscape. On3 will maintain its focus on college sports coverage. Subscribers will gain access to content across both platforms. As part of the transaction, Yahoo Sports will take an ownership stake in the On3 parent company and have a seat on the On3 parent company board. The deal is expected to close by the end of the second quarter of 2025 (On3).
Comedians and actors Ray Romano and Sebastian Maniscalco chat about the upcoming Milan Cortina Olympics in an NBC Sports promo. NBC Sports NBC Sports is again looking to celebrities to promote the Olympics and Paralympics, now with a 30-second spot featuring Ray Romano and Sebastian Maniscalco to debut during the Kentucky Derby on Saturday.The promo features the Italian actors and comedians atop the Italian Alps contemplating events in the Milan Cortina Games as they get interrupted by thoughts of Italian food.Shot in L.A. with Industrial Light and Magic (ILM) — the same technology behind “The Mandalorian” — the spot captures the Dolomites and highlights downhill skiing, skeleton and curling.Clad in winter gear, Romano and Maniscalco hold snowboards as they discuss how to get down.Read More >>>
