Louisville, UK athletic leaders call NIL bill a win for student athletes
Senate Bill 3 aims to modernize the state's NIL laws, keeping Kentucky universities competitive as federal policies evolve.
Introducing the FOX 56 Pothole Patrol: How does Lexington fill its potholes?
Lawmakers said SB 3 would align the state's NIL plan with national fair market value standards, strengthen recruiting and retention, and add contract protections for student athletes.
'We have to be ready now,' UK Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart said. 'For our staff, it's important to give them time to prepare not only during the upcoming 3 months, but as we go forward as of July 1.'
Athletic directors from both colleges supported the bill, calling it a win for those who want to play at the college level.
Read more of the latest Kentucky news
'We've collaborated on this to ensure we're doing what's best for our student athletes, that we're doing what's best for the Commonwealth, and we're doing what's best for our institutions,' Josh Herid, University of Louisville Athletics Director, said.
SB 3 is set to go before the Senate floor on March 4. More information about the bill can be found at the Kentucky General Assembly website.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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San Francisco Chronicle
24 minutes ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Judge allows 4 West Virginia football players fighting NCAA eligibility rules to compete
A federal judge on Wednesday allowed four football players to compete at West Virginia this season, the latest ruling in one of a long line of cases challenging the NCAA's eligibility rules. U.S. District Judge John Preston Bailey issued a preliminary injunction in a lawsuit filed by defensive lineman Jimmori Robinson, running back Tye Edwards, safety Justin Harrington and wide receiver Jeff Weimer. They were previously denied appeals to play, then challenged the NCAA's rule that sets a five-year limit for players to compete over four seasons. Each of the players attended junior colleges that weren't members of any NCAA divisions. They contended those years shouldn't have counted against the five-year limit. Eligibility cases involving more than two dozen college football players are playing out in courts nationwide. Wednesday's ruling comes two days after a federal court in California denied efforts to play this season by Southern Cal offensive lineman DJ Wingfield and UCLA wide receiver Kaedin Robinson. 'The nationwide case law reveals a clear split,' Bailey wrote. In acknowledging a lack of guidance from higher courts on the subject, Bailey said he aligned his ruling with those made in favor of separate appeals by Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, Rutgers safety Jett Elad and former Nevada wide receiver Cortez Braham Jr., now at Memphis. Bailey agreed with the rulings in each of those cases that determined the NCAA's eligibility rules were commercial in nature and therefore subject to antitrust scrutiny under the Sherman Act. Bailey made a similar ruling in late 2023 in favor of college basketball players who previously were denied the chance to play immediately after transferring a second time. That lawsuit had alleged the NCAA transfer rule's waiver process violated federal antitrust law. In some cases involving college football players where NCAA eligibility rules were upheld, 'it is apparent, however, that those decisions were grounded in a pre-NIL world,' Bailey wrote, citing name, image and likeness compensation deals that commenced in July 2021. 'In the current era of NIL compensation, eligibility rules are commercial in nature,' Bailey wrote. He added that athlete eligibility 'is even more commercial now' following the so-called House settlement earlier this year that cleared the way for schools to start paying millions to their athletes. In a statement, NCAA spokeswoman Saquandra Heath said the ruling 'erodes the academic standards that have for decades ensured student-athletes obtained an education.' Heath also said that while the NCAA and its member schools are making changes to deliver more benefits to student-athletes, 'the patchwork of state laws and differing court opinions are why partnering with Congress is essential to provide stability for all college athletes.' At West Virginia, the four players have not participated in fall practices. Weimer is the only one not currently listed on the roster. Jimmori Robinson is the most accomplished. Last season at UTSA, he amassed 10 1/2 sacks and 17 tackles for loss as a linebacker and was named the American Athletic Conference's defensive player of the year. He would provide immediate help at a hybrid-linebacker position on a West Virginia defense that is undergoing a complete makeover under new coach Rich Rodriguez. There are still unanswered questions about Robinson's status. During arguments in court in Wheeling on Tuesday, an NCAA lawyer contended that Robinson had academic issues at UTSA, according to multiple reports. An attorney for Robinson said the defense team was aware of the academic situation but declined to be more specific in court. ___

NBC Sports
3 hours ago
- NBC Sports
Missouri State and Delaware are making a historic, risky leap to FBS amid college sports upheaval
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The median revenue at the FBS level jumped to $96.7 million and expenses of $124 million, while behemoths such as Alabama reported operating expenses of more than $265 million. Missouri State and Delaware are bridging some of the budgetary chasm by funneling additional money from their institutions to the athletic department. Conference USA, which has multimedia rights deals with ESPN and CBS Sports, will provide more revenue distribution than their former leagues — the Missouri Valley for Missouri State and Colonial Athletic for Delaware — and increases in ticket sales, merchandising, sponsorships and donations also promise to help lift the bottom line. The schools might not bridge the monetary divide right away. But they understand the urgency to do it quickly. 'I think we'll be within earshot of being competitive in Conference USA,' Ransdell said. 'We're not going to be the top, but we're also not going to be the bottom. 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Delaware may not be quite as far behind, thanks to its more recent FCS success. The program that produced NFL quarterbacks Rich Gannon, Joe Flacco and Matt Nagy along with Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach won the FCS national title in 2003, and it has made the playoffs four of the past six seasons. Yet change is coming. Last year, the Blue Hens went 9-2 playing games against the likes of Bryant, Penn and Sacred Heart. This year, they have trips scheduled to Power Four programs Colorado and Wake Forest. 'I think what excites me the most about this move is really off the football side and more the alumni side, as someone who cares about the university,' said Blue Hens coach Ryan Carty, who also played quarterback for them from 2002-06. 'We get a chance to showcase our brand, showcase what we have here, how special we are,' he said. 'Sometimes it is a little more hidden than it should be. 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4 hours ago
10 House Democrats ask NCAA about plans to protect women as ways to pay college athletes increase
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