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NIL

“You’re Making More Money Than Me”: Paige Bueckers Speaks on Geno Auriemma Adjusting to NIL Era

Looking from the outside in, the  NIL is a bad development in college sports, with multiple programs suffering as a result of constant player movement. Some head coaches have also voiced their opinion concerning the state of college basketball. But not every coach views the shift as a bad thing. Dallas Wings’ Paige Bueckers recently […]

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Looking from the outside in, the  NIL is a bad development in college sports, with multiple programs suffering as a result of constant player movement. Some head coaches have also voiced their opinion concerning the state of college basketball. But not every coach views the shift as a bad thing.

Dallas Wings’ Paige Bueckers recently concluded her outstanding college career at UConn as one of the few star athletes to experience the state of the NCAA before and after the introduction of NIL. The change certainly benefited her since it allowed the 6-foot-2 guard to build a brand off of her name.

She made a guest appearance on the NILosphy podcast, where she opened up about her experience with NIL and discussed UConn’s handling of the change in player and team dynamics.

“They wanted us to make money, and they really enjoyed that we got this opportunity,” Bueckers said. “They never wanted to get in the way of what we had to accomplish.”

The UConn Huskies have been the most dominant program in women’s college basketball throughout recent memory. It wouldn’t have been a surprise if head coach Geno Auriemma weren’t a fan of NIL, since it pushes players away from building cohesion within a team. Instead, he didn’t find a problem in adjusting to this new era of college basketball.

“He was very receptive to everything going on,” Bueckers revealed. “But at the end of the day, he always wanted our priorities to be basketball. IF you’re coming to UConn for money, you’re not coming to the right place.”

Auriemma always pushed his players to seek the best financial opportunities for themselves. After all, their time at UConn is brief in the grand scheme of their lives. At most, these players spend five years playing under him, and many of his athletes don’t proceed with a professional basketball career.

The adjustment stage hasn’t been too hard on Geno either, considering he just led the Huskies to a National Championship this past season. The dynamic is different between coaches and players, but Buerckers claims he always diffused any tension whatsoever with his unique brand of humor.

“He would always joke, ‘You’re making more money than me now. Why do you need me?’ He’s just joking, but he was happy for us,” she said.

More coaches need to have the approach Auriemma has toward NIL because it isn’t going anywhere. Players are only going to make more money as the years go by. The ability of head coaches to navigate these changing times may be the deciding factor between the groups that can win titles and those that don’t.



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Brad Brownell reveals that Radford “offered more” for transfer Del Jones

Clemson basketball fans got a healthy heaping of quotes from Brad Brownell on Tuesday as he spoke to the media, and he didn’t disappoint. Obviously the 2024-25 season ended on a sour note with the Tigers falling against McNeese in the first round, and they were forced to replace essentially the entire roster. Chase Hunter, […]

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Clemson basketball fans got a healthy heaping of quotes from Brad Brownell on Tuesday as he spoke to the media, and he didn’t disappoint.

Obviously the 2024-25 season ended on a sour note with the Tigers falling against McNeese in the first round, and they were forced to replace essentially the entire roster. Chase Hunter, Viktor Lakhin, Ian Schieffelin, Jaeden Zackery, Chauncey Wiggins, and Del Jones were all key players who either entered the NBA Draft, graduated, transferred, or even joined the football team.

The Tigers were forced to hit the transfer portal hard and that’s exactly what Brownell did.

Unfortunately, his players did the same as one of his most intriguing first-year players decided to hop in the portal and look for a new home. Jones, a freshman guard, was expected to be the future of the backcourt, but he shockingly hit the portal and landed at Radford.

Brownell explained why that happened: Radford just offered more money.

This is a tough pill to swallow for several reasons, but the most obvious has to be the fact that Radford out-bid Clemson for a key player. That should never happen, and it shows the monetary discrepancy between the basketball and football programs.

It’s not easy for those Clemson hoops fans and purists who believe the program should be among the best in the nation considering the resources the school has.

Radford just offered him more NIL money, and Clemson couldn’t match it because of their allotted pool for the team. He opted to make more money with a smaller program where he’ll undoubtedly be the star and play 30-plus minutes eventually. Jones was Radford’s top priority and Clemson just couldn’t match that.

Hopefully the Tigers can be big spenders on the hardwood in the near future.





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Brian Santiago’s leadership council built for new college era – Deseret News

This article was first published in the Cougar Insiders newsletter. Sign up to receive the newsletter in your inbox each week. BYU’s new athletic director Brian Santiago penciled in a new leadership council to lead the Cougar sports programs into the next decade, addressing promotions for stability and adding successful businessman Travis Hansen to the […]

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This article was first published in the Cougar Insiders newsletter. Sign up to receive the newsletter in your inbox each week.

BYU’s new athletic director Brian Santiago penciled in a new leadership council to lead the Cougar sports programs into the next decade, addressing promotions for stability and adding successful businessman Travis Hansen to the fold.

The moves are designed to address challenges of NIL and revenue sharing as BYU doubled its athletic budget the past three years. The layers of leadership are to help Santiago find roles amongst a newly shuffled staff to take over many of his former duties. The hiring of Hansen is huge. BYU is lucky to have him onboard because he had NBA and college offers.

Special Collector’s Issue: “1984: The Year BYU was Second to None”

Get an inclusive look inside BYU Football’s 1984 National Championship season.

In this piece, Tad Walch gained access to BYU’s top leadership and broke down what this chaotic world of money in athletics means for the Cougars in coming seasons. It is the most comprehensive explanation of the money you’ll find.

Question of the week

With Jake Retzlaff withdrawing and transferring to Tulane, where should BYU’s collective and revenue-sharing money that was targeted for Retzlaff be invested? Looking at On3 Sports evaluation of quarterbacks in the Big 12, TCU QB Josh Hoover is at $2.4 million, Kansas State’s Avery Johnson is at $1.6 million and ASU’s Sam Leavitt $3.1 million. It doesn’t take much imagination to place the money planned for Retzlaff at BYU at around $1 million for a returning senior starting QB.

Jay Drew: Longtime readers will know that if there is one general statement about college football that I have harped on for years, it is that by far the most important position in all of college sports, let alone football, is the quarterback. It doesn’t matter how good your defense is, if your quarterback is below average, eventually you will get scored upon.

Just look at Utah last year.

So that’s why I am saying that all the money invested in Jake Retzlaff should go to whichever QB earns the starting nod in 2025, be it McCae Hillstead, Treyson Bourget or the dark horse, Bear Bachmeier. Of those three, it is reasonably safe to assume that Bachmeier is making the most NIL money at the present time.

The former Stanford signee/spring practice participant didn’t come to BYU for free. But if he is as good as advertised, and wins the starting job either in fall camp or midway through the season, he deserves a pay raise.

Who will win the job? That’s the most-asked question now that we have learned Retzlaff is headed to Tulane (along with several other transfer portal quarterbacks). It should be an interesting August in New Orleans. As for the month in Provo, I’m thinking Hillstead is the front-runner — but don’t count out Bachmeier. He has the highest ceiling of the group.

Dick Harmon: While we don’t understand all the science of NIL and revenue sharing and BYU is very private, the remaining QB room at BYU is likely down the scale from what Retzlaff was due. BYU did not get Bear Bachmeier to come to Provo without an attractive offer a four-star QB who’d committed to Stanford would demand. So, it would appear Jake’s money should go to the starter. One could argue it should be split up, divided amongst the three. A starter in Game 1 might not be the starter of Game 4, so how do you assign Retzlaff’s money to the starter? Just do it?

This might be a dilemma reserved for later in the fall, or the season if allowed, but we’re assuming the contracts will be locked in before the season begins.

Another thought is that some of Retzlaff’s money could be given to QBs, but also divvied up between LJ Martin, Chase Roberts or a stud on defense like Isaiah Glasker or Jack Kelly. The NIL money, however, will likely go to whomever the NIL folks (collective) wants it to go to. Revenue sharing, however, is something new deputy Travis Hansen does have a say in as to where it will go and how much as he evaluates, compares and makes a recommendation to the AD.

BYU running back LJ Martin scores a touchdown during the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

Cougar tales

With top recruit AJ Dybantsa making headlines all over the world the past few weeks, he appeared on “BYU Sports Nation” and explained what his world has been like this summer. Seth Davis predicts Dybantsa’s class of recruits will be strongest and deepest in years.

From the archives

From the X-verse

Extra points

Fanalysts

Comments from Deseret News readers:

This must really irritate the Y-haters (aka Uoobs). Back when BYU was independent, they still competed despite recruiting classes ranked in the 70s and 80s and no money. Now, as a member of the Big 12 with real funding and momentum, BYU is pulling in recruiting classes in the low 20s. The future’s looking bright.

— Wise-sage

Recruits want to play with a winner. BYU’s record and win over Colorado in the bowl game last season goes a long way. Utah has to prove themselves again after last season. Also, what is BYU offering transfers and recruits? Money still talks, and means a lot to young players. Utah has made big moves bringing in a new offensive guru and his star QB, we’ll see how that shakes out.

Montgemryruss

Up next

  • Aug. 2  | 7 p.m. | women’s soccer | Blue/White game
  • Aug. 6 | 8 p.m. | women’s soccer | Southern Utah
  • Aug. 9 | 7 p.m. | women’s soccer | Utah Tech
  • Aug. 14 | 7 p.m | women’s soccer | Minnesota
  • Aug. 18 | 7 p.m. | women’s soccer | Cal Poly





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Illini Soccer Announces Full 2025 Schedule

Story Links CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois soccer head coach Katie Hultin has announced the teams full schedule on Wednesday (July 23). The schedule features two exhibitions, 11 road contests and seven home matches in Demirjian Park. The Fighting Illini prepare for the regular season with a pair of exhibition matches, the […]

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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois soccer head coach Katie Hultin has announced the teams full schedule on Wednesday (July 23). The schedule features two exhibitions, 11 road contests and seven home matches in Demirjian Park.

The Fighting Illini prepare for the regular season with a pair of exhibition matches, the first against Marquette at home on Aug. 7 and the next on the road at IU Indianapolis on Aug. 10.

The Orange and Blue begin the regular season with two road trips. First, a trip up north to Chicago to take on UIC in the season opener on Aug. 14 before they head east to face the Bowling Green Falcons on Aug. 17.

Illinois’ home opener will be on Aug. 25 against Boston College before their three-match road trip beginning with DePaul on Aug. 28, Kentucky on Aug. 31 and ending with Missouri on Sept. 4.

The Illini close out non-conference play with a home match against Valparaiso on Sept. 7. The first Big Ten test comes at home on Sept. 12 when Indiana makes a trip into Demirjian Park.

The following weekend the Fighting Illini travel out west to Oregon on Sept. 18, a match that will be on BTN, and to Washington on Sept. 21.

They return home to play Penn State on Sept. 25 and Ohio State three days later on Sept. 28. Their next road contest is at Maryland on Oct. 5 before they finish out their home slate with Rutgers on Oct. 9 and Purdue on Oct. 12.

The Orange and Blue end their regular season with a three-match road trip that starts at Northwestern on Oct. 16, they then travel northeast to Michigan State on Oct. 19 and end their regular season at Michigan on Oct. 26.

2025 ILLINOIS SOCCER SCHEDULE

All Times Central

Thursday, Aug. 7 – vs. Marquette (Exh.) – 6 PM

Sunday, Aug. 10 – at IU Indy (Exh.) – 1 PM

Thursday, Aug. 14 – at UIC – 6 PM

Sunday, Aug. 17 – at Bowling Green – 1 PM

Monday, Aug. 25 – vs. Boston College – 6 PM

Thursday, Aug. 28 – at DePaul – 4 PM

Sunday, Aug. 31 – at Kentucky – 1 PM

Thursday, Sept. 4 – at Missouri – 7 PM

Sunday, Sept. 7 – at Valparaiso – 1 PM

Friday, Sept. 12 – vs. Indiana – 6 PM


Thursday, Sept. 18 – at Oregon – 8 PM

Sunday, Sept. 21 – at Washington – 3 PM

Thursday, Sept 25 – vs. Penn State – 7 PM

Sunday, Sept. 28 – vs. Ohio State – 1 PM


Sunday, Oct. 5 – at Maryland – 11 AM

Thursday, Oct. 9 – vs. Rutgers – 7 PM

Sunday, Oct. 12 – vs. Purdue – 1 PM


Thursday, Oct. 16 – at Northwestern – 6:30 PM

Sunday, Oct. 19 – at Michigan State – 12 PM

Sunday, Oct. 26 – at Michigan – 12 PM



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NCAA Reaches Deal Regarding NIL Collectives: The Buzz

If you thought NIL collectives were gone after the recent NCAA house settlement came to a semi-conclusion, you were absolutely wrong. A recent On3 report stated that NCAA officials came to some sort of agreement with power conferences that will make an impact on the use of NIL collectives and their ability to pay athletes. […]

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If you thought NIL collectives were gone after the recent NCAA house settlement came to a semi-conclusion, you were absolutely wrong.

A recent On3 report stated that NCAA officials came to some sort of agreement with power conferences that will make an impact on the use of NIL collectives and their ability to pay athletes. This decision comes after the settlement made it clear that collectives would be done and any player payment would be filtered through the College Sports Commission.

So, what does that mean?

Well, in simple terms, it’s very possible that everyone’s favorite NIL collectives that help power conference programs fund major recruiting commitments may not be going away. This was a major cause of debate and led many to believe that collectives made the playing field uneven, allowing the best teams to land the best players continuously.

For the Tigers, the Every True Tiger fund was utilized for that same purpose. Its current status is unknown, but it could continue to make an impact for Missouri athletes if this truly comes to fruition.

36 days.





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Big Ten also disagrees with SEC (and rest of college football) on transfer portal window

The future of the College Football Playoff when the 2026 season begins is unknown. However, the future of the transfer portal when the 2025 regular season ends is also unknown. Some administrators need to make some final decisions quickly. Talking season gives us a chance to find out where the decision-makers are leaning. Out in […]

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The future of the College Football Playoff when the 2026 season begins is unknown. However, the future of the transfer portal when the 2025 regular season ends is also unknown. Some administrators need to make some final decisions quickly. Talking season gives us a chance to find out where the decision-makers are leaning.

Out in Las Vegas on Tuesday, Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti broke his silence and explained some of his reasoning for his conference wanting a play-in game playoff model. This means a 4-4-2-2-1 format that would give out eight total bids to SEC and Big Ten members. Petitti believes that a 6-3 record in the Big Ten should get a team into the postseason dance.

Petitti also opened up on the fact that any model that asks for more picks from the playoff selection committee “will have a difficult time getting support from the Big Ten” moving forward. That is trouble because the ACC and Big 12 have both publicly supported the 5+11 model that will hand out double-digit at-large bids. The SEC seems to be leaning towards the 5+11 model.

A fight is breaking out on what to do with the future of the playoff. This could cause the current 12-team format to extend into 2026 when the big ESPN contract for the postseason tournament begins. This seems to be the format that SEC commissioner Greg Sankey prefers if a change to the selection process is made.

But this is not the only big talking point that the Big Ten is on an island with.

Back at SEC Spring Meetings two months ago, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said that the biggest big picture decision that college football needed to make post-settlement was where to put the single transfer portal window that coaches have been pushing hard for.

“So, the biggest decision that has to be made across football right now to me, by far, is when is the portal window and is there one or two,” Smart told reporters in Destin.

There are currently two transfer portal windows for college football. The first occurs for 20 days in December and the other is open for 10 days in April. The former has become the most popular one but the latter has given players and their representation an extra negotiation window. We have also seen some double-dip transfers in a single offseason across the landscape because of the two transfer portal windows in a single offseason. The SEC and Big 12 have both gone on record about what they want — a 10-day transfer portal window in January after College Football Playoff quarterfinal games are played on New Year’s Eve/New Year’s Day. At this point, almost all of the bowl games will be over, and everyone in college football except the four teams still playing for a national title will have shifted into offseason mode. Programs can spend all of December focused on closing at their high school class and getting ready for a bowl game instead hosting portal visitors throughout the month.

Well, the Big Ten has other ideas.

Petitti’s conference is still supporting not opening the transfer portal until April when the major roster moves can be made at essentially the end of the fiscal year in college athletics. Spring semesters typically end in late April/early May and the school’s new rev-share cap will restart every June. In theory, universities and their programs will have a good feel for how much money is available to spend on what will be the most expensive team-building market.

This goes against the traditional college football calendar.

Teams will go months without knowing what their team will look like. How will this alter spring practice? We’ve already seen some changes made to the traditional spring construct and their are discussions ongoing to tag OTAs with the 15 allotted spring practices that would allow programs to split up time on the calendar on when to use these workouts. You could have them in March/April like normal or wait until May when rosters are locked in. There is also the offseason training plan to consider. Many schools will want projected starters on campus for these important months. That would not happen with the Big Ten’s proposal.

Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger reports that the Big Ten is holding its ground on this request.

“A committee of power conference football administrators and athletic directors is expected to make a formal recommendation on the portal soon,” writes Dellenger. “The expectation is for a single portal in January. The Big Ten remains the only FBS conference that is against such a move.”

Smart mentioned that tampering will be out of control if you have a four-month build after the season before opening the free agency market. The big two conferences started a joint advisory group 17 months ago to “address the significant challenges facing college athletics” moving forward. This came after Sankey and Petitti secured a memorandum of understanding that gave these two conferences authority power to determine the future of the playoff. Unfortunately, these leagues can’t seem to agree on anything. A playoff decision must be made by Dec. 1 or the 12-team format will be locked in for 2026. The portal decision will come much sooner than that.

Welcome to the new age where the most powerful entities in college athletics keep having standoffs on major decisions.





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How much money is being offered to top recruits? A dozen anonymous Power Four commits sound off on NIL

How much money is really being offered to top recruits in the NIL era? To find out, we spoke with a dozen anonymous Power Four commitments from the 2026 class. Their responses offer a behind-the-scenes look at what’s actually being put on the table for elite high school prospects. From six-figure payouts to differing deal […]

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How much money is really being offered to top recruits in the NIL era?

To find out, we spoke with a dozen anonymous Power Four commitments from the 2026 class. Their responses offer a behind-the-scenes look at what’s actually being put on the table for elite high school prospects.

From six-figure payouts to differing deal structures, the feedback paints a picture of an NIL world that’s exponentially grown over the last few years.

Recruits, who were granted anonymity, share their top offer, which school offered that amount and whether they took the top offer on the table:



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