Connect with us

NIL

Trump considers executive order regarding payments to college athletes

Trump’s review of the matter comes in the wake of a conversation he had with former Alabama football coach Nick Saban earlier this week. Trump says he will revoke tax-exempt status for Harvard University The Trump administration has threatened to freeze $2 billion in federal funding after not agreeing to a list of demands from […]

Published

on



Trump’s review of the matter comes in the wake of a conversation he had with former Alabama football coach Nick Saban earlier this week.

play

  • Sen. Richard Blumenthal, amid talks with Sen. Ted Cruz for bill, says Trump “has no power to attempt to rule by decree — especially to give handouts to the NCAA.”

WASHINGTON ― President Donald Trump is giving “serious consideration” to signing an executive order that would address payments to college athletes, a person familiar with the matter confirmed to USA TODAY on May 2.

The person requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the matter.

Trump’s review of the matter comes in the wake of a conversation he had with former University of Alabama football coach Nick Saban on May 1, when Trump was in Tuscaloosa to speak at the university’s commencement ceremonies.

The order could potentially add oversight to name, image and likeness, or NIL, that has exploded across college athletics with few regulations, although how the order would address NIL was not immediately clear.

The Wall Street Journal first reported Trump’s consideration of the action, which would add to the more than 140 executive orders Trump has signed in his first 102 days, spanning a range of issues.

Saban has been critical of the current state of college sports, including at a roundtable event in Washington that was hosted by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, in March 2024 as part of Cruz’s ongoing efforts to craft college-sports legislation that can pass Congress.

Saban said at the time that athletes’ “personal development” was being hindered by the combination of virtually unregulated opportunities for athletes to make money from NIL and their ability to transfer multiple times in their college careers. He also called for “rules that create some kind of competitive balance, which right now we don’t have in college athletics. It’s whoever wants to pay the most money, raise the most money, buy the most players is going to have the best opportunity to win. I don’t think that’s the spirit of college athletics.”

U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Alabama, said he had a “great conversation” with Trump on Air Force One about “the importance of establishing national standards for NIL” during the president’s trip to his state.

“College football is the heart and soul of America ‒ but it’s in danger if we don’t level the playing field,” said Tuberville, a former football coach at Auburn University and other schools.

Trump’s potential entry into this area comes as lawyers for the plaintiffs, the NCAA and the Power Five conferences have been trying to revise one aspect of the proposed settlement of three athlete-compensation antitrust cases that U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken has said she is otherwise prepared to give final approval.

Under the arrangement, $2.8 billion in damages would be paid to current and former athletes — and their lawyers — over 10 years, and Division I schools would be able to start paying athletes directly for use of their NIL, subject to a per-school cap that would increase over time and be based on a percentage of certain athletics revenues. Athletes would continue to be allowed to have NIL deals with non-school entities, but any deals worth $600 or more would be subject to greater scrutiny than they are now.

While the proposed settlement would solve some problems for the NCAA and its conferences and schools, they have continued to lobby Congress for legislation that would, among other things, enshrine in federal law athletes’ NIL rights, preempt dozens of state laws that have been passed in connection with athletes’ NIL rights and give the NCAA a measure of legal protection against antitrust actions. This is where Trump could step in.

Trump instructed White House aides to begin studying what an order would look like, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., on the night of May 2, said in a statement to USA TODAY of Trump’s potential involvement: “College sports reform can only happen through Congressional legislation based on bipartisan negotiations that put college athletes first. The President is welcome to support Senate negotiations, but he has no power to attempt to rule by decree — especially to give handouts to the NCAA over the blood, sweat, and tears of players.”

One of the lead lawyers for the plaintiffs in the ongoing antitrust case, Steve Berman, in a statement to USA TODAY, blasted the prospect of Trump’s involvement in any way that would limit athletes.

“The president says he is the greatest business person ever,” Berman wrote. “Why would he do anything to limit the business deals students are negotiating for their NIL. He has been a benefit of the free market why not these young athletes[.]

“As for Saban what a hypocrite. He has been an opponent of NIL from the start while he made tens of millions off the backs of these athletes. Even [J]ustice Kavanaugh, one of (Trump’s) appointed judges, stated in his [A]lston decision that this was wrong.

“Trump should talk to coach (Jim) Harbaugh who is a fan of the burgeoning NIL market and not a fan of the system of coach exploitation that Saban benefited from[.]”

Berman was referencing Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s concurring opinion to the Supreme Court’s unanimous ruling in the Alston vs. NCAA antitrust case in which the high court ended the association’s limits on education-related benefits athletes can receive for playing college sports. Kavanaugh heavily criticized the NCAA’s limits on athletes’ compensation, writing, among other things: “The NCAA’s business model would be flatly illegal in almost any other industry in America.”

Harbaugh, now with the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers, repeatedly advocated for greater compensation for college athletes during his nine seasons as the University of Michigan’s football coach.



Link

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

NIL

Ex-Basketball star joins WWE NIL program

Gina Adams is a rising star in the world of basketball in Lynn University, she is taking a giant step to become a wrestler in the ring. An official announcement was made that the Westlake, Ohio native has entered WWE management in the Next In Line (NIL) talent pipeline. Adams is an agile and competitive […]

Published

on


Gina Adams is a rising star in the world of basketball in Lynn University, she is taking a giant step to become a wrestler in the ring.

An official announcement was made that the Westlake, Ohio native has entered WWE management in the Next In Line (NIL) talent pipeline. Adams is an agile and competitive woman on the court, and now she wants to obtain a skill of sports entertainment.

Her participation in the NIL program shows that WWE is intended to tap on diverse sports stars. Adams has been listed among twelve players in the 2025 NIL class that also includes basketball guard Fatima Katembo and track runner Zuriel Jimenez.

Through this program, participants get access to the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida to train on wrestling skills, skills on how to work with the media and even developing the brand.

From Court to Canvas: Adams Embarks on New Journey

The fact that Adams switched her basketball career to becoming a wrestler attributes to her versatility and her ability to work hard.

She performed in the basketball team at Lynn University and received awards by the university due to her performance, leadership and endurance. These are all qualities that should help her locate her way through the pits of professional wrestling.

The NIL program (introduced in 2021) is expected to fill in the gap between college sports and WWE, providing a clear route through which athletes can consider getting involved in wrestling.

The participants are exposed to thorough training services such as live event promotion and living within their community, they will be ready to handle the diverse nature of being a WWE Superstar.

The entry to the programme of Adams shows the changing scenario of acquiring talents within WWE. The move to incorporate athletes of diverse athletic backgrounds also helps WWE maintain the streams of energy and views in its environment.

When Adams went to the wrestling arena after establishing himself in the basketball court, this came across as a dynamic and approach to talent development.



Link

Continue Reading

NIL

College Football Analysts Underwhelmed By USC Trojans’ Lincoln Riley

With USC Trojans coach Lincoln Riley entering his fourth season in Southern California, the Trojans remain a focal point of conversation of college football – even in the offseason. Recent debates after the 7-6 overall season raises questions for Riley and his tenure at USC.  National voices in sports including Fox Sports analysts Joel Klatt, […]

Published

on


With USC Trojans coach Lincoln Riley entering his fourth season in Southern California, the Trojans remain a focal point of conversation of college football – even in the offseason. Recent debates after the 7-6 overall season raises questions for Riley and his tenure at USC. 

National voices in sports including Fox Sports analysts Joel Klatt, Colin Cowherd and former college coach Urban Meyer have weighed in on the future of Riley and expressed what could be in store for the Trojans coach. 

Riley’s first season set the bar high, ending the 2022 season with an 11-3 overall record, finishing first in PAC-12 play and defeating rivals Notre Dame and UCLA, who were both ranked in the AP Top-25. 

Lincoln rile

Nov 30, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley reacts against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the second half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

While Klatt first emphasized the excitement Riley initially brought to USC, he also reiterated the disappointment the program’s recent seasons have been. 

“We have seen it work once, in the year that they almost went to the College Football Playoff,” Klatt said. “That was his first year. And yet, we look up and last year was incredibly underwhelming. Riley’s tenure started off gangbusters. But he’s coming off these two underwhelming seasons.”

MORE: USC Trojans Favorites For Elite Linebacker Recruit Talanoa Ili Over UCLA Bruins?

MORE: Chicago Bears’ Caleb Williams, Colston Loveland Growing Under Ben Johnson’s Plan

MORE: USC Trojans, Lincoln Riley Expectations Compared To Ohio State, Alabama Crimson Tide

USC starts the 2025 season with preseason competition with Missouri State and Georgia Southern, led by former USC coach Clay Helton, both games should be a relatively smooth start for the Trojans. The kicker is the road game at Illinois on Sept. 27, a key matchup that could set the trajectory of the Trojans’ season. 

The competition only heats following their game at Illinois – the Trojans host a home game against Michigan, and two road contests at Notre Dame and Nebraska. 

Colin Cowherd

Feb 1, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; Radio personality Colin Cowherd broadcasts on radio row at the Moscone Center in advance of Super Bowl 50 between the Carolina Panthers and the Denver Broncos. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-Imagn Images / Jerry Lai-Imagn Images

Last season Riley went 1-4 for road losses, including losses to Maryland and Minnesota – two losses that shocked the Trojan fanbase. 

Despite his past coaching success at Oklahoma – leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield to a Heisman Trophy and a College Football Playoff appearance – Riley has yet to find consistent success at USC. 

However, Cowherd recognized that the Trojans may pick up where they left off. 

“I saw the over/under on USC, 7.5 games, and I think that’s accurate,” Cowherd said. “I think their best player is a safety. I think they’re very, very young. I think they’re an eight-win team. At some point, when does the hammer come down? Or do you think this remains, long term, Lincoln is fine? What if they go 8-5? Would that be good enough?”

Urban Meyer

Former Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer broadcasts for the Big Ten Network prior to the College Football Playoff National Championship against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Jan. 20, 2025. / Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

With younger talent paired with heavy competition, this team has a lot to prove if they want to be back in the Playoff conversation.

Meyer, former Utah, Florida, and Ohio State coach, emphasized the competition the Trojans are lined up with Cowherd on “The Herd,” and what Riley can do as the Trojans coach. 

“The way I’ve always looked at USC is I equate them to Ohio State, Alabama, Texas and Florida,” Meyer said. “I’ve always looked at USC as one of the top-five jobs in America. I’ve got a lot of respect for Lincoln Riley. I promised myself I would never call for jobs, because I’m not going to do that. However, when seven, eight wins is acceptable at USC…I don’t know.”

Meyer then pivoted and saw the potential success for Riley and USC this season, but also expressed the known fact that their season can’t end like the last one. 

“I think they’re going to have a great year and I think we’re not going to have to have this conversation,” Meyer said. “But 8-5? Go 8-5 at Ohio State and see what happens.”



Link

Continue Reading

NIL

SEC Spokesman Predicts Huge Academic Loss for Transfer Portal Abusers as NIL Debate Grows Louder

The NCAA transfer portal has revolutionized college sports, giving athletes unprecedented freedom to move between programs. But as the debate over Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) intensifies, SEC officials warn that the academic toll of frequent transfers, especially among those chasing NIL deals, may be far greater than many realize. Academic Fallout from SEC Transfer […]

Published

on


The NCAA transfer portal has revolutionized college sports, giving athletes unprecedented freedom to move between programs. But as the debate over Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) intensifies, SEC officials warn that the academic toll of frequent transfers, especially among those chasing NIL deals, may be far greater than many realize.

Academic Fallout from SEC Transfer Portal Free Agency

Pete Nakos recently shared a pointed warning from SEC Associate Commissioner William King:

King’s remarks highlight a growing concern: while the transfer portal and NIL have created a college sports free agency, the academic consequences are often overlooked. Research backs this up. A 2018 National Student Clearinghouse study found that 39% of undergraduates transfer at least once, and those who transfer multiple times face even steeper academic risks.

The numbers tell a stark story. Last year, over 31,000 student-athletes entered the NCAA transfer portal, with more than 25% of scholarship football players now making a move annually. While the portal offers athletes a legitimate escape from bad situations, such as a lack of playing time or coaching changes, the academic disruption is profound.

However, the impacts on academics are serious. Students often lose 60–70% of their credits when switching colleges, which can delay graduation for one to two years and may even lead to the repetition of core courses in their new schools.

JT Daniels, who had been a college quarterback, had to transfer four times in six years, and while he was doing so, most of his credits couldn’t be transferred, which is the same tragic story that most big-name athletes share.

The rise of NIL has dramatically enhanced this trend. Some athletes can greatly influence a university’s transfer process by using their move as a key part of their strategy. In this way, the transfer portal acts as the marketplace. For instance, Jordan Addison has been disclosed with NIL prospects, the sum of which was even over $3 million for his transfer.

In contrast, Zay Flowers was offered such a substantial amount of money that he said no to it and thus, stayed where he was. All of this is like an arms race, continually leading to the experience of a complete reshuffling of the teams’ rosters. Around 2,611 FBS football players had to go to the portal within one semester of the last year.

Unfortunately, while the programs desperately hunt for the best athletes to replace the lost ones on the team and keep the top talents from leaving, the service to the players is, more often than not, replaced by the educational mission.

2-Round 2025 NBA Mock Draft: Kasparas Jakučionis Gives Hope to Rebuilding Nets, Cedric Coward Leaps Into First Round

Changes in the SEC’s transfer records suggest a direct connection between losses in terms of depth and academic performance, as occurred with Ty’Son Williams from South Carolina, making the point about the flexible portal always leading to athletes’ success highly controversial.





Link

Continue Reading

NIL

Texas Tech infielder Bailey Lindemuth enters transfer portal

With the influx of talent coming into Lubbock, there are only so many seats at the table. As reported earlier in The Dugout, talented Texas Tech infielder Bailey Lindemuth has entered the transfer portal. Lindemuth was the Red Raiders’ primary starting at third base as a freshman during their national runner-up season. She hit .305 […]

Published

on


With the influx of talent coming into Lubbock, there are only so many seats at the table. As reported earlier in The Dugout, talented Texas Tech infielder Bailey Lindemuth has entered the transfer portal.

Lindemuth was the Red Raiders’ primary starting at third base as a freshman during their national runner-up season. She hit .305 with eight doubles, five home runs and 32 RBIs in 68 games. Lindemuth also pitched and became a very reliable defender by the end of the season.

There are plenty of high-level teams that will be interested in the Burleson, Texas native, especially those looking to resupply their infield.

For more transfer portal news, stay up to date with the Softball America transfer wire.

More from Softball America:

Show Me The Money Notebook
Teagan Kavan’s historic WCWS performance leads Texas to first national championship
Softball America Top 100 Players of the 2025 season



Link

Continue Reading

NIL

Greg Sankey assesses future of non-revenue, Olympic sports after House settlement approval

In the week since the House v. NCAA settlement received final approval, the college sports world began making its preparations for a new era. Revenue-sharing is on the way, as are roster limits and the new NIL Go clearinghouse to vet NIL deals. Much of the conversation has been around revenue sports such as basketball […]

Published

on


In the week since the House v. NCAA settlement received final approval, the college sports world began making its preparations for a new era. Revenue-sharing is on the way, as are roster limits and the new NIL Go clearinghouse to vet NIL deals.

Much of the conversation has been around revenue sports such as basketball and football. However, there are still concerns about non-revenue and Olympic sports, and SEC commissioner Greg Sankey made it clear the plan is to avoid cutting sports under the new model.

Sankey said while he, too, has heard about athletics departments changing structure and making staff moves, the sense from his conversations is that schools are not looking to eliminate sports programs. But he noted the need for a consistent model and oversight. Otherwise, he warned that things could change.

“The second is at least in the Southeastern Conference — and we have to be aware that, as you have a $20 million outflow from a revenue sharing standpoint, that creates pressures,” Sankey said Friday on FanDuel Sports Network’s Golic and Golic. “And you’ve seen stories about that pressure resulting in some changes to personnel, or maybe the way expenditures are overseen in athletic departments. What has been the topic of focus in our room is not reducing the sport opportunities. That’s speculated about.

“What I will say is there has to be a point where this revenue-sharing model and the third-party oversight sticks and is consistent. And we have that opportunity now. If it continues to grow, I think that’s an enormous threat to those Olympic sports, or the non-revenue sports.”

Per the terms of the House v. NCAA settlement, schools have the ability to share up to $20.5 million with athletes if they opt in to revenue-sharing. Football is expected to receive 75%, followed by men’s basketball (15%), women’s basketball (5%) and the remainder of sports (5%). The amount shared in revenue will increase 4% annually.

The growing sense is that schools will be able to decide how to divide up their revenue-sharing after House settlement approval. Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark said that’s the case in his conference, and some schools in others have confirmed which sports will participate in revenue-sharing.

At Oklahoma, six programs will be part of the rev-share plan: football, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, softball and women’s gymnastics. Ohio State also said its football and basketball programs would all participate, in addition to women’s volleyball. The hope is to expand to more sports down the road, athletics director Ross Bjork said.



Link

Continue Reading

NIL

Angel Reese responds to ‘Mebounds’ term, hints at plan to trademark it

There’s no denying that Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese has established herself as an elite rebounder early in her WNBA career. But some fans online have often trolled her, claiming that the numbers are inflated due to the number of second, or sometimes third, chances she gets off her own misses. It’s gotten to the […]

Published

on


There’s no denying that Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese has established herself as an elite rebounder early in her WNBA career. But some fans online have often trolled her, claiming that the numbers are inflated due to the number of second, or sometimes third, chances she gets off her own misses.

It’s gotten to the point where the term “mebounds” has been coined by some to describe it. Reese hasn’t been immune from seeing it when she logs online either, and responded to the criticism in a Tik Tok post.

“Whoever came up with the ‘mebounds’ thing, y’all ate that up,” she said. “Because rebounds, mebounds, keybounds, crebounds, tebounds — anything that comes off that board, it’s mine. And a brand? That’s six figures right there. The trolling, I love when y’all do it because the ideas be good.”

Reese’s comments about a brand suggest that she may attempt to try to trademark the term and make some merchandise off of it. She even responded to a post on X that claimed that’s what she intended to do, tagging her agent Jeanine Ogbonnaya.

Reese is in her second season with the Sky after being drafted with the No. 7 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft out of LSU, where she won a national championship in 2023. She broke the league record for rebounds in a single season with 446 as a rookie while also setting another record for consecutive double-doubles with 15.

Reese’s rebounding average is double slightly so far this season from 13.1 to 11.8. Her points per game has also dropped from 13.6 to 10.3 through the first nine games, though there is plenty of season left to get both averages up.

Surprisingly, she is shooting just 36.3% from the floor and has more total rebounds (106) than points scored (93) this season. The shooting numbers are certainly a fair criticism, but Reese argued that her rebounding prowess goes far beyond her own missed shots.

“Because statistically, all the rebounds that I get aren’t always just mine,” she said. “They’re defensive too or somebody else’s on my team. But yeah, when ya’ll came up with ‘mebounds,’ y’all ate that.”

So far this season, Angel Reese and the Sky are out to a 2-7 record. They’ll be back on the court Sunday at 12 p.m. ET when they take on the Connecticut Sun on the road.





Link

Continue Reading
Motorsports17 minutes ago

I’m gonna beat your ass

Motorsports17 minutes ago

Van Gisbergen’s emotional win in Mexico City locks him into NASCAR playoffs – ABC 6 News

Sports21 minutes ago

Eric Blum Explores Thrilling Future of Sports Journalism Today

Sports31 minutes ago

Canadian men bounce Bulgaria 3-0 in Volleyball Nations League action | National Sports

Motorsports36 minutes ago

Justin Bonsignore Breaks Record, Takes All-Time NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Wins Lead at Riverhead Raceway – Speedway Digest

Motorsports37 minutes ago

Shane Van Gisbergen’s win in Mexico City locks him into NASCAR playoffs – NBC Bay Area

NIL41 minutes ago

Ex-Basketball star joins WWE NIL program

College Sports48 minutes ago

Father’s Day, Camp season, and the College World Series

Motorsports52 minutes ago

2025 Appalachian Mountain Speedweek Results At Bridgeport Motorsports Park

Motorsports53 minutes ago

NASCAR Mexico City: Ricky Stenhouse Jr confronts Carson Hocevar

Youtube55 minutes ago

Grizzlies & Warriors EPIC OT BATTLE – 2021 NBA Play-In Tournament | NBA Classic Game #NBARivalsWeek

Youtube56 minutes ago

Breaking down Texas’ hot start vs. NiJaree Canady to win WCWS | SportsCenter

Youtube57 minutes ago

Vinnie Pasquantino was the only person who didn’t know he hit a home run 🤣

Sports58 minutes ago

Montenegro’s Growing Role in NATO: A Strong Partnership Reinforced | Latest Balkan and Southeast European News

NIL1 hour ago

College Football Analysts Underwhelmed By USC Trojans’ Lincoln Riley

Most Viewed Posts

Trending