College Sports
SEC Leaders Hint at a Seismic Shift in College Sports—Will the Powerhouse Conference …
The SEC and Big Ten are re-evaluating their roles within the NCAA, with some leaders considering possible departure due to legal and financial pressures. Major changes in college sports, including athlete compensation (NIL), antitrust lawsuits, and increased commercialization, are challenging traditional NCAA authority. Dissatisfaction with the NCAA’s regulatory effectiveness is prompting discussions about conference autonomy […]


- The SEC and Big Ten are re-evaluating their roles within the NCAA, with some leaders considering possible departure due to legal and financial pressures.
- Major changes in college sports, including athlete compensation (NIL), antitrust lawsuits, and increased commercialization, are challenging traditional NCAA authority.
- Dissatisfaction with the NCAA’s regulatory effectiveness is prompting discussions about conference autonomy versus centralized oversight.
- Severing ties with the NCAA could endanger national championships, traditional rivalries, and the stability of Olympic and academic sports programs.
- The future of college athletics may be redefined, as major conferences debate whether to trust the NCAA’s leadership or pursue independent governance.
Whispers of upheaval echo through the hotel corridors where college sports’ most influential minds gather, their conversations charged with urgency as the status quo faces unprecedented scrutiny. The SEC—an emblem of athletic dominance and cultural significance—stands at the heart of a rumbling debate: does its future belong within the NCAA’s storied tradition, or is it time to chart a new course?
Rumination has turned to restlessness among SEC athletic directors, some now openly questioning the value of continued NCAA membership. These deliberations are not idle. For decades, the NCAA has been the governing body shaping the landscape, enforcing rules, hosting celebrated championships, and ensuring a degree of harmony amidst fierce competition. March Madness, with its shared brackets and riveting upsets, has long served as the glue binding schools and fans alike.
But the ground beneath collegiate athletics is shifting. Legal battles—most notably the House v. NCAA antitrust case—have battered traditional models of amateurism, opened doors to athlete compensation, and forced universities to consider the nature of their allegiance. For SEC power brokers, the question is no longer abstract. Legal and financial pressures gnaw at their patience, pressing conference leaders to contemplate drastic steps for institutional survival.
It’s not just the SEC. The Big Ten, another behemoth, is quietly entertaining similar ideas. Their shared autonomy has grown, but a sense of dissatisfaction lingers. Critics argue that NCAA enforcement and regulatory mechanisms have failed to keep pace with modern challenges, including name, image, and likeness (NIL) reforms, escalating litigation, and the rapid commercialization of college football and basketball.
Yet even as some contemplate departure, there’s an undercurrent of caution. The NCAA’s role in orchestration—especially in renowned national championships—remains a powerful cement. The prospect of severing ties raises the specter of fragmentation, the unraveling of traditions, and uncertainty for thousands of athletes.
Administration officials stress the need for continued oversight, recognizing that athletics in America thrives under some measure of regulation. The alternatives—complete deregulation or fragmented governance—could threaten not only revenue sports, but also Olympic disciplines and academically integrated programs.
As SEC meetings in Miramar Beach unspool, the agenda is packed: football playoff expansion, the prospect of a nine-game schedule, and looming questions about the future of national championships swirl amid the sea air. But the true undercurrent is existential. Should the most powerful conference in sports trust its future to the NCAA’s uncertain stewardship—or is it time to rewrite the rules themselves?
For millions who fill stadiums and pencil in tournament brackets, the answer may redefine the spectacle and spirit of college sports for a generation.
Key takeaway: The SEC, along with other top conferences, stands at a crossroads. The decisions made here won’t just shape football schedules or championship lineups—they could rewrite the entire rulebook for the future of American collegiate athletics.
SEC and NCAA on a Collision Course: What a Breakaway Could Mean for College Sports Fans, Athletes, and March Madness
SEC Power Play: Why the Future of College Sports Hangs in the Balance
The ongoing power struggle between the SEC and the NCAA is more than just sports politics—it’s about the future of college athletics as we know them. Beyond headline debates at leadership retreats, tectonic shifts are underway that could reshape traditions, financial models, and student-athlete experiences. Here’s what’s really at stake, what could happen next, and what every fan—and stakeholder—should know.
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Untold Developments: What’s Really Fueling the SEC Uprising?
1. Growing Financial Disparity
The SEC and Big Ten conferences—already wealthy thanks to multi-billion dollar television deals (e.g., the SEC’s $3 billion ESPN/ABC contract)—are seeing ever-wider revenue gaps compared to smaller conferences. This disparity intensifies the temptation for top schools to “go it alone” and control their own media rights and playoff systems.
2. Athlete Empowerment and NIL
The arrival of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) earnings has changed the landscape. Athletes today can earn market-based endorsements, putting pressure on schools and conferences to create more flexible, athlete-friendly governance structures—something the NCAA has historically stymied or hesitated to accommodate.
3. Legal Precedents and Litigation
Cases like House v. NCAA, Alston v. NCAA, and O’Bannon v. NCAA have set legal standards that erode the NCAA’s ability to control amateurism. Courts have consistently ruled in favor of athletes’ rights, exposing the NCAA to billions in potential back pay, damages, and restructuring costs (ESPN, 2023).
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Breaking Down the Risks: What Happens if the SEC (or Big Ten) Leaves?
How-To Guide: What a Breakaway League Might Do
1. Form a New Governing Body: The SEC and other top conferences could form a “super league” with its own rules, enforcement, and championship structures.
2. Negotiate TV and Sponsorship Direct: This enables more lucrative, flexible deals—potentially rivaling pro sports broadcasting models.
3. Design a New Playoff System: Football playoffs, March Madness alternatives, and other championships could become exclusive, reshaping fan traditions and school loyalties.
4. Redefine Athlete Compensation: Clearer, more competitive NIL rules and possibly revenue sharing directly with athletes.
5. Direct Oversight on Compliance and Eligibility: Schools could set their own standards for eligibility, scholarships, and transfer policies.
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Real-World Use Cases
– Super Bowl-Level Events: An SEC-led football playoff could push championship games into Super Bowl territory in terms of viewership and marketing.
– Regionalized, Custom Championships: The SEC might develop new basketball, baseball, or Olympic-sport championships with tailored rules, boosting their brands.
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Industry Trends & Market Forecasts
– Increased Autonomy: Power Five conferences are pushing for more independence—and the NCAA is losing influence, especially after the 2021 Supreme Court ruling (NCAA v. Alston).
– Revenue Surge: ESPN predicts media rights contracts for a super league could top $2 billion annually.
– Potential Fragmentation: If the “biggest” conferences leave, the rest of Division I could splinter, threatening the viability of smaller programs and sports.
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Reviews, Comparisons, and Limitations
Pros & Cons Overview
| Pros | Cons |
|—————————————————–|———————————————————-|
| Higher revenue control for breakaway conferences | Possible loss of “March Madness” as we know it |
| More flexible compensation rules for athletes | Less exposure/competition for smaller schools |
| Tailored rules and compliance systems | May erode storied traditions and historic rivalries |
| Enhanced recruiting and branding opportunities | Uncertain future for Olympic/non-revenue sports |
Security & Sustainability
– Smaller conferences may struggle financially and could lose access to lucrative NCAA revenue sharing—a foundational support for non-revenue sports (like swimming, volleyball, or fencing).
– The status and oversight of Title IX (gender equity) enforcement would become much more complex in a breakaway league.
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Most Pressing Reader Questions—And Clear Answers
Q: Will March Madness Survive if the SEC Leaves?
A: Highly uncertain. SEC and Big Ten departures could strip March Madness of its biggest teams and TV draws. The tournament might split, with rival championships forming.
Q: What about Olympic Sports?
A: Smaller, non-revenue sports rely heavily on NCAA funding and broad-based championships. A split could lead to fewer scholarships and fewer opportunities.
Q: Would athletes get paid directly in a breakaway league?
A: It’s possible. Super leagues could negotiate group licensing, profit-sharing, or even salaries for student-athletes, especially in revenue sports.
Q: Are other conferences thinking about leaving too?
A: Yes. The Big Ten, ACC, and others are watching carefully. If the SEC goes, a domino effect is likely.
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Expert Opinions & Interviews
– Sports law expert Michael McCann (Sportico): “The legal and financial trends all point toward greater autonomy for the richest conferences. The NCAA’s power is shrinking.”
– SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey: “We want to find solutions, but the environment is changing so quickly that we need to be open to all possibilities.”
– NCAA President Charlie Baker: “Championships tie us together, but we recognize that reforms are needed to keep everyone at the table.”
(Sources: ESPN, Sportico, NCAA)
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Actionable Recommendations & Quick Tips
For Fans
– Stay informed: Changes could alter game schedules, streaming rights, and traditional rivalries.
– Support Olympic and non-revenue sports: Advocacy may be needed if funding is cut.
For Athletes
– Know your NIL rights: Opportunities are growing, but so are compliance risks.
– Plan for possible changes in scholarship, transfer, and eligibility rules.
For Administrators
– Invest in compliance and legal expertise.
– Prepare for accelerated negotiations with media, sponsors, and third-party stakeholders.
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The Bottom Line
The SEC’s possible exit from the NCAA isn’t just sports gossip—it’s potentially the most profound change in college athletics in a century. From March Madness survival to athlete pay and the future of Olympic sports, the ripple effects are enormous and touch every level of the game. Watch for key decisions in the coming months—because the future of college sports is more up for grabs than ever before.
For ongoing updates and authoritative information on governance and regulations, visit the NCAA.
College Sports
Gadowsky Talks McKenna, Taking Advantage of New College Hockey Landscape : College Hockey News
July 15, 2025 PRINT by Adam Wodon/Managing Editor (@chn-adam-wodon) Related Articles Penn State Penn State’s spotlight brightened after it made the Frozen Four last season for the first time. It’s going to be even hotter now after Gavin McKenna, the projected No. 1 overall pick in next year’s NHL Draft, decided to take his talents to […]

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by Adam Wodon/Managing Editor (@chn-adam-wodon)

Penn State’s spotlight brightened after it made the Frozen Four last season for the first time. It’s going to be even hotter now after Gavin McKenna, the projected No. 1 overall pick in next year’s NHL Draft, decided to take his talents to State College for the coming season.
Knowing players like this are “one-and-done” has not deterred the likes of Michigan, Boston University and Boston College from taking them. It was just one year ago that BU’s Macklin Celebrini went No. 1 overall. BU lost in the Frozen Four semifinals that year. This past season, the Terriers defeated Penn State in the national semis, before losing to Western Michigan in the title game.
Penn State has taken additional advantage of the new rules allowing former Major Junior players to participate in the NCAA, bringing in numerous key players beyond just McKenna. Jackson Smith, a first-round defenseman, is also on board, as are a few others of note. That will push some players down the lineup, and others who have been committed for a while, may never wind up at Penn State.
“You’re talking about team and player management, but that’s something this staff has talked a lot about,” Penn State coach Guy Gadowsky said Tuesday. “We’re excited and eager to tackle those challenges. Those are great challenges to have.
“There’s a lot of changes going on in college athletics, especially in NCAA hockey. We want to embrace those changes and do what you can for the best of our program. As long as you have your values on straight, everybody understands that. We’re absolutely going to take advantage of the new rules and changes to recruit the very best student-athlete that fits Penn State. But that doesn’t mean we’ll switch our philosophy.”
“It boils down to, do everything for the team. For those guys who have those attitudes, you don’t just do that one year and check the box that you’re done. Culture is really important. Some people think it’s a buzzword but it’s really important. We learned a lot of lessons in the past and specifically last year that makes us feel confident to embrace the challenges. The leadership group will have a lot of work to do. They’re largely responsible for the success last year, and I suspect will be responsible for the success this season.”
Another thing that has changed in college hockey is the ability for players to earn money. Gadowsky understandably didn’t want to address that aspect of it at all, though it’s been reported McKenna will make $700,000 in his NIL/revenue-share deal, by far more than anyone else in college hockey.
McKenna has yet to speak in depth on the reasons for choosing Penn State, but Gadowsky said it was about many things.
“He’s done well in the CHL, I think he’s looking for a new challenge,” Gadowsky said.
“It’s the same for every hockey player that we bring in. A lot of things make Penn State hockey attractive. How we develop players, our facilities, our personnel, the philosophy of our administration, the support of the student body … a lot of things.”
He added that his staff didn’t reach out until his junior season was over and he started to explore NCAA opportunities.
“We feel really good about what Penn State has to offer any student-athlete,” Gadowsky said. “This is a huge thing for Penn State and Penn State hockey — and a huge thing for college hockey as well. So you’re nervous until it’s done. But once it was on Sportscenter and done, you felt good. And I’m pumped for the Penn Staters to watch this guy.
“He’s very humble and extremely polite. He has excellent manners. His mind always goes first to the whole, to the team, the atmosphere of the team. That’s how he is.”
Gadowsky said that every player, even someone of McKenna’s caliber, will have a transition to college hockey. After piling up points in the WHL last season for Medicine Hat, if history is any indication, playing against bigger, older players will translate to lower point output. A 60-point season would be great, and in line with other recent high-end one-and-done players.
“It’s not just to college hockey, it’s a transition to college, albeit an exciting and fun one to State College,” Gadowsky said. “We have good people. They’re looking forward to helping him navigate it. We can be a little patient. We can’t expect anyone to just come in and pick things up. It takes some time, I think it’s something he’s lookng forward to.”
But mainly, Gadowsky wants to get out of McKenna’s way on the ice.
“I was fortunate enough to grow up watching Wayne Gretzky play, and the one thing that makes him so special is that he’s so creative. He’s very different. There’s no way that I or anyone else on our staff thinks like Gavin does. He’s a very special, special, special athlete that thinks differently. By no means am I going to talk to him about how his mind creates. And that goes for all of our athletes as well. Part of what makes Penn State hockey fun is we encourage creativity.”
Gadowsky has been there since the beginning of Penn State hockey 14 years ago, helping see the original vision through. He said he is grateful for all that has gone along with the ride, all the people that helped along the way, and embraces the expectations that will be ahead.
“Penn State has very high expectations of all its athletic programs and puts a lot of resources into that,” Gadowksy said. “So that’s not like it’s a new thing. We did not have these expectations when you start from a club program. I can tell you it’s better to have those expectations than not.”
In these wild news times in college hockey, it’s mid-July and rosters aren’t still necessarily set. There are players recently drafted who still may get pushed to play NCAA for one year, and will be looking for teams, like perhaps Michael Misa or Porter Martone, or others. Some of them may want to see if they make the NHL roster first, but NHL training camp is not until September, well after admissions deadlines, typically.
It may be a bit difficult to make it work in some cases, but Gadowsky, while not naming names in particular, didn’t rule anything out.
“It’s always fluid because of eligibility, injuries, et cetera,” Gadowsky said. “I don’t think it’s fair to say we’re absolutely done or not done, because there’s too many factors that can happen. … It’s something we think about every day.”
College Sports
Hattie Kanyo — Firefighter to CrossFit Games Athlete
When Hattie Kanyo graduated high school, she watched her peers accept their college offers and move into their dorms. Everyone seemed to have their lives figured out, but she stayed behind. It’s not that she hadn’t thought of college — in fact, she was offered a scholarship to play college rugby. The uncertainty she felt […]

When Hattie Kanyo graduated high school, she watched her peers accept their college offers and move into their dorms. Everyone seemed to have their lives figured out, but she stayed behind.
It’s not that she hadn’t thought of college — in fact, she was offered a scholarship to play college rugby. The uncertainty she felt when choosing a career unnerved her, so she turned down the scholarship and worked random jobs from pizza delivery to night shifts at Walmart to pay her bills.
That led her down an unhealthy path with drugs and alcohol.
A Career in CrossFit
One day, Kanyo’s brother took her to their local YMCA and introduced her to fitness.
“I kind of fell in love right there and then,” she said.
For the first time, she had found an interest that she could turn into a career. So, Kanyo attended the University of Lethbridge for exercise science in hopes of becoming a personal trainer.
While in school, she joined the cross-country and soccer teams, and when she was not in class or at practice, Kanyo found herself in the college gym playing around with skills she found online, such as handstand push-ups and handstand walking.
This caught the attention of her biomechanics professor, Ian Bennett, who was an avid CrossFit athlete at a local affiliate in Lethbridge, Alberta.
“You need to try CrossFit. You’re a runner, you’re a soccer player, and you’re trying all this weird stuff,” he told her.
Kanyo’s first reaction was, “Absolutely not.” So for two years, she rejected the idea. But, she still found herself dabbling with CrossFit movements in the college gym. Soon, she started buying CrossFit shoes and attire.
In 2017, she finally decided it was time to try a CrossFit class.
“They thought I had done CrossFit before. They saw my shoes, they saw my shorts,” Kanyo joked. “I fell in love ever since.”
Kanyo learned that not only could she create a career through CrossFit, but she could also compete. Straight away, she attended a Level 1 Certificate Course and joined the coaching staff at her gym.
Photo courtesy of Hattie Kanyo on Instagram
Firefighting and Fitness
After graduating college in 2014, Kanyo’s ex-boyfriend introduced her to wildland firefighting, a seasonal career that paid well and an exciting new challenge to take on.
Kanyo signed up for wildland firefighting training at the Hinton Training Centre and joined a crew in High Level, Alberta, the furthest north district and a 13-hour drive from her home.
For the next six years, Kanyo spent April through September fighting wildland fires.
“I’m the type of person who, if you tell me I can’t do something, I will do it,” she said. “When I went up there, a lot of the guys kind of looked at me like, ‘Mm, that’s just so-and-so’s girlfriend. She won’t make it very far up here.’”
So Kanyo put her head down and worked hard to prove them wrong. By her third year, she became one of the first female leaders and led crews for the next four years.
During her second season, after just discovering CrossFit, she decided to lessen her drinking and dial in her fitness while on shift. Kanyo’s commitment to her fitness influenced her fellow firefighters to also adopt healthier lifestyles.
“All of a sudden some of these other firefighters were like, ‘I want to get fit, I want to work out.’
We would all do workouts together. Then all of a sudden by the third year, everyone was working out.”
The crew banded together to create makeshift equipment for their CrossFit workouts. They attached a board across two trees to hang gymnastics rings. They asked their department for a rower and an Assault bike. Kanyo built a platform to clean and snatch on, and one of her sponsors gifted barbells and plates.
“It was really cool seeing all of the other firefighters going from super hardcore partiers to wanting to get super fit,” she said.
At the end of the firefighting season, Kanyo would return to her CrossFit gym and coach in the offseason. Between coaching CrossFit athletes and mentoring firefighters, she discovered her true calling.
Building Confidence
In 2019, Kanyo retired from firefighting to pursue a full-time career in competitive CrossFit and coaching.
During her first three years in CrossFit, Kanyo had success in local competitions, but when she thought about qualifying for the CrossFit Games, Kanyo doubted herself against the legends already dominating.
“No way. You aren’t good enough and you never will be,” her mind told her.
But during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, she started to drink again and gain weight. When traveling just started to open up again, she flew to Bali and lived there for the next 10 months, resetting her routine and dialing in her training again.
Upon returning to Canada, Kanyo qualified for the 2022 Atlas Games Semifinals, finishing just three spots out of a Games-qualifying position.
“That is when my confidence started building a little bit. I was like, ‘Wow, I’m with some of these really strong girls… . If I can hang with some of these girls, in a couple more years of putting my head down, I can do this.’”
Sure enough, just two years later, Kanyo had a ticket to her first CrossFit Games in hand after finishing the 2024 North America West Semifinal in fourth place. She finished the season as the 18th fittest woman in the world.
Hattie Kanyo at the 2024 CrossFit Games | Photo by Charlotte Foerschler
A Gamble for Gold
In January 2025, Kanyo sustained a shoulder injury while competing at an off-season competition. Despite the injury, she still qualified in 95th place worldwide in the 2025 CrossFit Open. But, to heal properly in hopes of continuing on in the season, her coaches told her she had to rehab as long as possible.
This meant skipping The Fittest Experience In-Person Qualifier and the In-Affiliate Semifinals, giving Kanyo only one shot at qualifying for the 2025 CrossFit Games at the Northern California Classic in June.
“Last year, you only had one chance,” her coach told her. She would have just one chance again this year.
With six top-10 event finishes and an event win in Heavy Isabel, Kanyo finished the weekend with 64.5 points, good for second place, securing her the final ticket to the 2025 CrossFit Games.
“I can easily say the mental side of things is tougher than the physical. Don’t get me wrong, this is an extreme physical sport and is hard as hell, but when the mind isn’t right, all sorts of things can go wrong,” Kanyo said in an Instagram post. “A quick call to Brett Piperni and he was able to help me get my 🧠 right. I appreciate you more than you know.”
A decade ago, Kanyo had no idea where her life was going. Now, as she prepares for her second CrossFit Games, she is ready to enjoy the experience, regardless of her placement. Kanyo stands as proof that success does not always start with certainty.
Watch Kanyo compete at the 2025 CrossFit Games live in Albany, New York, from Aug. 1-3. Single and multi-day tickets are available.
GET TICKETS TO THE 2025 CROSSFIT GAMES
College Sports
Kirby Smart at 2025 SEC Media Days: Key points from Georgia coach, what they mean entering 2025 season
If it was up to Kirby Smart, college football would be centered around “fire, passion and energy” and none of these landscape-altering changes the sport has endured over the last few seasons. The Georgia coach is a football-first guy, after all, forced to concern himself with new norms of personality changes and player entitlement because […]

If it was up to Kirby Smart, college football would be centered around “fire, passion and energy” and none of these landscape-altering changes the sport has endured over the last few seasons. The Georgia coach is a football-first guy, after all, forced to concern himself with new norms of personality changes and player entitlement because he’s seen it inside his own elite program.
The two-time national champion and reigning SEC winner made several broader points Tuesday at SEC Media Days, pointing out how much college football is continuing to evolve with NIL and revenue-sharing and the stress it puts on building a championship-level team.
“You can say what you want, but there’s people more in college football today, especially in the SEC, that are comfortable with where they are,” Smart said. “This is a pretty good life. ‘I’m earning $200k a year. I’m very comfortable.’ And you don’t reach your goals being comfortable. You don’t attain great success.”
Here’s a few of Smart’s key points during his time at the podium and breakout rooms and what we think it means for the Dawgs in the 2025 season.
Georgia seeking coachable, elite talent
Question: Fire, passion and energy are pillars of the program. Can you name players that have exhibited it thus far and why have you added that this offseason?
Smart’s answer: “Why is it important to identify it now? Because the culture in college football is slowly changing. You’ve got to remember, I was part of a nine-year program and a nine-year run (at Alabama) that was one of the greatest ever in college football, OK? And now I’m at a place that’s doing it right and competing on a really high level. I’ve seen what it looks like to have fire, passion, and energy, and I’ve seen guys that were really hungry and I go back to (Alabama’s) Dont’a Hightower, Rolando McClain, Julio Jones and Trent Richardson and Mark Ingram all the way to (Georgia’s) Roquan Smith to Nolan Smith, to Jordan Davis, to George Pickens, to Jake Fromm … D’Andre Swift. You know what they had? They had a love for the game and fire, passion and energy. That’s not the same as it used to be.”
Translation: If you’re coming to Athens looking for a hefty payday and unwilling to work, Georgia’s probably not a fit. Smart, who’s had more first-round NFL Draft picks (20) than losses (19) during his time at Georgia, has had to adjust his recruiting approach just a bit in recent years with other programs offering sizable NIL guarantees with elite-level prospects. He reiterated the same point Tuesday he’s made ad nauseam throughout the offseason: signing with the Bulldogs is a play toward future earnings. He mentioned several former first-round picks as guys who saw the bigger picture and weren’t simply “satisfied” with being a high-level SEC football player.
On Georgia’s QB decision
Question: What has Gunner Stockton accomplished since the end of last season that made you bring him here to SEC Media Days?
Smart’s answer: “He does it the right way. He commands the room and works his butt off. I say all that because Ryan (Puglisi) does a great job too, and those guys are going to continue competing. Gunner’s one of the leaders of our team. You saw that in response last year when he came in after halftime (of the SECCG) and laid it on the line for our team. Gunner’s been a tremendous passion and energy guy, and I’m excited to see him grow and get better.”
Translation: Heading into fall camp, Stockton is Georgia’s QB1 based on what he showed during spring practice and as Carson Beck’s backup last season. Smart selecting Stockton as one of the Bulldogs’ three player representatives in Atlanta signals his trust in the fourth-year player. That said, Smart has not told Stockton he’s going to start in the opener against Marshall and he still has to put his best foot forward in August to lead Mike Bobo’s first-team unit.
Enough Nick Saban speculation
Question: The hot rumor yesterday was Nick Saban coming back to coaching. I was wondering if you could share your reaction?
Smart’s answer: “I heard all the scuttlebutt and everything about it. I almost laughed. It was like somebody needed something interesting to talk about, so they chose to go to Coach Saban to do it. The game’s better with him involved. He is involved. He’s passionate about it. His brilliance in many ways is around football. Around scheme, another way to do something to stay ahead of the offensive minds. Make no mistake about it, the boss at home is making that call for him, not him.”
Translation: Don’t believe anything you hear and only half of what you read. Smart’s a skeptic — he doesn’t think Saban is interested in a return to coaching unlike Greg McElroy’s “source” from earlier in the week. Smart joked that he called Saban and offered him Will Muschamp’s vacated position on staff, but he was overqualified. Smart spent nine years on Saban’s staff at Alabama, including eight as his defensive coordinator, and the two still speak often about defensive game plans and schematic details.
Georgia’s weaknesses — what are they?
Question: What’s a position group on both sides of the football that you’re expecting to be better this year compared to last season or needs to be better?
Smart’s answer: “Yeah, I don’t like the question, I’m sorry. There’s not one position group that we don’t need to get better at. I mean, just me being frank with you, we’ve got to get better at each one. You can say that’s coachspeak, but if I pick one, I’m leaving someone out. We’ve got to improve all around.”
Translation: Georgia — currently with the third-best odds to win the College Football Playoff, according to DraftKings Sportsbook –is not where it needs to be right now if the Bulldogs plan on returning to Atlanta, the CFP and, potentially, the national championship spotlight. Do you think Smart was going to conceptualize two specific areas of improvement from his football team? This is the same coach who, like Saban, insisted to meet with his coaching staff two years ago the day after beating TCU by 58 points in the finale to formulate a recruiting plan since the Bulldogs were behind. The only thing that makes Smart happy is improvement and not resting on position groups perceived as stout entering the season.
Rematch with Alabama will be sweet
Question: Just curious to know your overall analysis of Kalen DeBoer and his first year at Alabama.
Smart’s answer: “I’m not qualified to give analysis of another head coach in our league who I have tremendous respect for … Anytime you come into a situation that he came into behind Nick in transition, it’s going to be a new deal. Think he’s a tremendous coach. Obviously, we played at his place and they did an outstanding job jumping all over us. Lot of respect for Coach DeBoer and the job he’s done.”
Translation: No bulletin board material will be had at 2025 SEC Media Days, at least not from the Georgia locker room. Alabama’s 9-4 finish last season under DeBoer fell well short of preseason playoff expectations, but one of those nine wins did come against the Bulldogs in impressive fashion. Smart mentioned Tuesday that he’s looking forward to hosting the Crimson Tide in Athens but stopped short of any guarantees or game plan details. Like he managed to do previously with a question centered around a showdown at Auburn, Smart was complimentary of his rivalry foe and did not go further.
No shortcuts when building the two-deep
Question: How do you view change within your organization, speed up developing depth with the impact of the transfer portal and NIL?
Smart’s answer: “First of all, you don’t speed up development. That’s a misnomer. If you want to speed up development, you’re probably looking for shortcuts that don’t exist. We can’t replicate reps faster. We can’t speed up a guy’s transition. The transition it takes to become a good football player is different for every kid, and I’ve been fortunate the last 19 years in college football to learn that.”
Translation: There’s no remedy or magic potion used to fill roster holes when trying to develop and build depth in the two-deep, especially from the portal. There’s a reason the Bulldogs have been transfer-selective under Smart and haven’t signed as many transfers as other elites within the top 10. Georgia hasn’t been as development-minded with recruits as, say, Dabo Swinney at Clemson, but the message is clear from Smart: portal additions have to be the perfect fit between the hedges to work.
College Sports
Kai Trump Inks New NIL Deal Ahead of Miami Debut
Today, Accelerator Active Energy – the brand that earned acclaim for launching “The Livvy Fund” with former collegiate champion Livvy Dunne to support women’s college athletes, announced a NIL partnership with future University of Miami golfer Kai Trump, who will enroll at The U in fall 2026. Kai will be featured in Accelerator campaigns and […]

Today, Accelerator Active Energy – the brand that earned acclaim for launching “The Livvy Fund” with former collegiate champion Livvy Dunne to support women’s college athletes, announced a NIL partnership with future University of Miami golfer Kai Trump, who will enroll at The U in fall 2026. Kai will be featured in Accelerator campaigns and the energy drink will be woven into her social media where she has built followings of more than six million across her TikTok, Instagram and YouTube channels.
Kai Trump joins Accelerator as an equity partner alongside Dunne and football superstar Travis Kelce.
With zero sugar and no Taurine which is found in many competitor products, Accelerator provides sustained energy and enhances focus so you can Accelerate Your Day. Accelerator’s proprietary blend of natural caffeine, plant-based thermogenics, and cognitive boosters is NSF Certified and clinically proven to help accelerate your metabolism.
“An energy drink with natural caffeine like Accelerator is so important to ensuring I stay focused and have extra energy when I’m in the gym, on the golf course, studying, traveling or as part of my daily routine,” said Kai Trump. “Accelerator has an inspiring group of athlete partners that I look up to and it’s an honor to join the team. I can’t wait to jump in with Accelerator and I’m looking forward to what the future holds in our partnership.”
As part of today’s news, Accelerator and Kai released a video on social media, titled “Kai’s Announcement,” featuring a presidential-themed speech where she announces her partnership and investment in Accelerator Active Energy. The spot was filmed recently at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Fla.
“We are honored to have Kai join the Accelerator team as she becomes an NIL superstar ahead of her collegiate golf career,” said Andrew Wilkinson, Chief Executive Officer at Accelerator Active Energy. “Kai has a very busy schedule including golf, content creation, travel and much more and Accelerator is the perfect solution to providing her the sustained energy without sugar while she’s on the go. We are excited to see all she is going to accomplish in the years ahead as she becomes a leading voice in NIL and beyond.”
In addition to Kai Trump joining the brand, the Accelerator athlete roster features the aforementioned Travis Kelce and Livvy Dunne, soccer star and world champion Lindsey Heaps, top-10-ranked professional tennis star Paula Badosa and baseball rising star and world champion Evan Carter.
About Accelerator Active Energy
Accelerator Active Energy is an energy drink specifically formulated with zero sugar which provides sustained energy and enhances focus so you can accelerate your day. The Accelerator athlete roster includes notable athletes such as Travis Kelce, Livvy Dunne, Evan Carter, Paula Badosa and now Kai Trump. The accelerator is NSF Certified and is available across QuikTrip, Walmart, Hy-Vee, Giant Eagle, Amazon and more. For more information about Accelerator Active Energy visit the .
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College Sports
Argument over ‘valid business purpose’ for NIL collectives threatens college sports settlement
Less than two weeks after terms of a multibillion-dollar college sports settlement went into effect, friction erupted over the definition of a “valid business purpose” that collectives making name, image and likeness payments to players are supposed to have. The new College Sports Commission sent a letter to athletic directors last week saying it was […]

Less than two weeks after terms of a multibillion-dollar college sports settlement went into effect, friction erupted over the definition of a “valid business purpose” that collectives making name, image and likeness payments to players are supposed to have.
The new College Sports Commission sent a letter to athletic directors last week saying it was rejecting deals in which players were receiving money from collectives that were created solely to pay them and don’t provide goods or services to the general public for profit.
A lead attorney for the players responded by saying those instructions went against settlement terms and asking the CSC to rescind the guidance.
“This process is undermined when the CSC goes off the reservation and issues directions to the schools that are not consistent with the Settlement Agreement terms,” attorney Jeffrey Kessler wrote to NCAA outside counsel Rakesh Kilaru in a letter obtained by The Associated Press.
Yahoo Sports first reported details of the letter, in which Kessler threatens to take the issue to a judge assigned with resolving disputes involved in the settlement.
Kessler told the AP that his firm was not commenting on the contents of the letter, and Kilaru did not immediately respond to the AP’s request for comment.
Yahoo quoted a CSC spokesman as saying the parties are working to resolve differences and that “the guidance issued by the College Sports Commission … is entirely consistent with the House settlement and the rules that have been agreed upon with class counsel.”
When NIL payments became allowed in 2021, boosters formed so-called collectives that were closely tied to universities to work out contracts with the players, who still weren’t allowed to be paid directly by the schools.
Terms of the House settlement allow schools to make the payments now but keep the idea of outside payments from collectives, which have to be approved by the CSC if they are worth $600 or more.
The CSC, in its letter last week, explained that if a collective reaches a deal, for instance, for an athlete to appear on behalf of the collective, which charges an admission fee, that collective does not have a “valid business purpose” because the purpose of the event is to raise money to pay athletes, not to provide goods or services available to the general public for profit.
Another example of a disallowed deal was one an athlete makes to sell merchandise to raise money to pay that player because, the CSC guidance said, the purpose of “selling merchandise is to raise money to pay that student-athlete and potentially other student-athletes at a particular school or schools, which is not a valid business purpose.”
Kessler’s letter notes that the “valid business purpose” rule was designed to ensure athletes were not simply being paid to play, and did not prohibit NIL collectives from paying athletes for the type of deals described above.
To prevent those payments “would be to create a new prohibition on payments by a NIL collective that is not provided for or contemplated by the Settlement Agreement, causing injury to the class members who should be free to receive those payments,” Kessler wrote.
College Sports
Son of former NHL forward enjoying his role with the Rox
ST. CLOUD — Jackson Cooke had an opportunity to go back to the Thunder Bay Border Cats this summer. The summer of 2024 was a memorable one for Cooke in Thunder Bay. He hit .304 with nine doubles, nine homers, 40 RBI, a .403 on-base percentage and .625 slugging percentage and played in the Northwoods […]

ST. CLOUD — Jackson Cooke had an opportunity to go back to the Thunder Bay Border Cats this summer.
The summer of 2024 was a memorable one for Cooke in Thunder Bay. He hit .304 with nine doubles, nine homers, 40 RBI, a .403 on-base percentage and .625 slugging percentage and played in the Northwoods League All-Star Game.
Besides that, his sister, Gabby Fahey, lived in Thunder Bay.
“It went really well and I really enjoyed it,” Cooke said. “My sister, brother-in-law (Curtis) and their two kids lived in Thunder Bay. I got to see them a lot and I didn’t get to see them much before that.”
The Border Cats wanted him back, but they had a few things working against them. Thunder Bay was 35-34 overall last summer and did not make the playoffs. His sister’s family also moved to London, Ontario, and the St. Cloud Rox made an offer to the Edina High School graduate.
“It’s an hour away from home,” Cooke said. “It’s a lot better baseball here. We weren’t very good in Thunder Bay.”
Last season,
the Rox
won the Great Plains West second half division title, finished second in the first half and reached the division championship playoff game, finishing with a 43-26 overall record under first-year manager Nick Studdard.
“He was a really, really good player and with him being from Edina, it was, ‘hey, we are from right up the road. Let’s make this situation happen,'” Studdard said. “To get a guy like Jackson was great. The tool sets and skill sets that he has … I didn’t realize what a bubbly, great, awesome human being that he is. He’s always having a positive attitude, cheering on his teammates. He’s an absolutely incredible young man.”

Andy Rennecke / St. Cloud LIVE
Cooke has a smaller role with the Rox than he had with the Border Cats and is hitting .233 with five doubles, three homers and 11 RBI with a .362 on-base percentage and .395 slugging percentage and has played in 26 of the team’s 43 games through July 9.
“I’m here to play my part,” Cooke said. “I got that experience last summer and that was fun. I’m having a good time and I definitely enjoy St. Cloud.”
Besides catching, Cooke has also seen some time at first base.
“We’re trying our best to get him as many opportunities as we can,” Studdard said. “For us, it was a match made in heaven. He wants to be a part of winning baseball. I think that’s what made it an easy sell for him. ‘Yeah, it’s just up the road and we’re going to win a ton of baseball games.'”
One of the reasons why Cooke has not played as much for the Rox is because Carter Jorissen is the starting catcher. Jorissen, who is from Cal State Bakersfield, is hitting a team-leading .367 with a .472 on-base percentage in 19 games.
“Because of who is as a person and a teammate, you want to give him as many opportunities as possible,” Studdard said of Cooke. “Carter Jorissen has been really, really good for us.
“I think (Cooke’s) done a great job of battling through adversity. Whether that’s hard hit balls that don’t fall. Hitting balls hard or soft and it doesn’t go his way. He’s battled through a lot of adversity, but he’s kept a really, really good attitude through it all. That’s why you’re starting to see him have some more success.”
Cooke has moved around a bit in his college career. In 2023 and 2024, he played for the University of Tennessee-Martin. As a sophomore, he hit .289 with one homer and six RBI in 21 games after appearing in 11 games a freshman.
“I wasn’t playing much and didn’t really like my situation there and my coaches,” Cooke said. “I had a good summer last summer and Pitt was one of my dream schools growing up.”

Contributor Alex Jurkuta / St. Cloud Rox
Cooke transferred to the University of Pittsburgh. He had a bit of an up-and-down season with the Panthers. Cooke played in 33 games, nine of which were starts. He hit .204, but he had six homers, two doubles and 17 RBI in 49 at-bats.
In a game against Kent State on March 19, he hit a grand slam and drove in five runs in a 17-13 win. On April 4-6, he played in two of three games against Miami and was 2-for-7. On April 12-13, he played in all three games against Virginia, but went 0-for-11.
“They wanted me to succeed,” Cooke said. “I just didn’t do my job. I started Friday (April 17) at Duke and then just got to pinch hit.”
Despite the ups and downs of the spring, Cooke said he is happy at Pittsburgh.
“I enjoyed it there,” he said. “The guys and the coaches are awesome. The coaches were very easy to talk to, unlike my coaches at my old school. Hopefully, I’ll be playing every day and get back in the lineup. That’s the plan.”
Interestingly, Cooke did not play hockey long when he was growing up in Edina, a city known for its hockey. And oh by the way, his dad, Matt, played wing in the NHL from 1998-2015.
Matt played for the Vancouver Canucks (1998-2008), Washington Capitals (2008), Pittsburgh Penguins (2008-13) and Minnesota Wild (2013-15).
“It was cool,” he said. “You’d get to go to games and I’d get to go into the locker room. There would be (Sidney) Crosby.
“I got to spend a lot of time in the locker room before practice, before games, after games. I was always around the guys and my dad had me around the locker room growing up.”

Andy Rennecke / St. Cloud LIVE
In 2009, Matt Cooke was a member of the Penguins’ team that won the Stanley Cup.
“We were in Detroit for that,” he said. “All the family sat together after we were on the plane. It was crazy. It was unreal. I remember so many fans outside. Trying to get on the ice after the game was a struggle. It worked out.”
He played hockey until he was “8 or 9, but one of my best friends growing up played baseball and I stuck with it.”
While he may not get a ton of playing time, Studdard said that Cooke plays a key role on the Rox.
“If you go up and down this roster, they love Cooke to death,” Studdard said. “He’s just awesome and is that great of a dude. That’s what makes it tough that he isn’t in there every day.”
St. Cloud center fielder Nolan Geislinger, an Eden Valley-Watkins graduate, said that he enjoys Cooke’s personality.
“I don’t think he’s had a bad day,” Geislinger said. “He always seems to be messing with me. He’ll randomly mess with me and I’ll say something back to him and he’ll give me a big hug. He’s definitely a good guy to have in the dugout. Sometimes, it does get annoying when he’s doing something with me.”
What kind of things does he do?
“He’s slapping me, messing with my hat, anything he can find,” Geislinger said. “He’ll throw seeds at me.
“He’s from Edina and I tell him, ‘You’re from Edina and nobody likes Edina.’ I always say something like that. It’s kind of funny.”
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