Latest news with #AllSEC
Reuters
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Vols' Zakai Zeigler sues for fifth year of eligibility, citing NIL pay
May 21 - Tennessee guard Zakai Zeigler is suing the NCAA for another year of eligibility, claiming he could lose up to $4 million in NIL money if he isn't allowed to play in 2025-26. Zeigler's lawsuit requests a preliminary injunction allowing him to play a fifth season and arguing he will suffer irreparable harm without immediate relief, with schools currently finalizing rosters and settling NIL deals. According to the Knoxville News Sentinel, Zeigler's lawsuit challenges the NCAA's redshirt rule in which players are allowed to play a fifth year if they sit out a year of competition. Zeigler played four consecutive seasons for the Volunteers from 2021-22 through 2024-25. He argues that he should get be allowed a fifth year of eligibility and its earning potential instead of being punished for not taking a redshirt year, per the News Sentinel. "All NCAA athletes should be eligible to compete and earn NIL compensation during each year of the five-year window -- not just those selected to redshirt," the court filings state. Zeigler filed his suit in the Eastern District of Tennessee. In it, he claims he could make between $2 million and $4 million in name, image and likeness money in 2025-26 after making $500,000 in 2024-25. The lawsuit calls a fifth year "the most lucrative year of the eligibility window for the vast majority of athletes." Zeigler set the Tennessee career records for assists (747) and steals (251). The three-time All-SEC pick and two-time league defensive player of the year averaged 11.3 points, 5.4 assists and 2.6 rebounds in 138 career games (83 starts). He graduated this month from Tenneseee and plans to pursue a graduate degree. --Field Level Media
New York Post
25-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
WNBA star Rickea Jackson supports James Pearce Jr. as Falcons trade up to pick him in 2025 NFL Draft
Now that's a hard launch. Los Angeles Sparks star Rickea Jackson and former Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce Jr. appeared to make their relationship public during the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday night. Jackson and Pearce were together when the Falcons traded up to select Pearce in the first round with the No. 26 overall pick, and ESPN cameras captured the moment virtually as they celebrated at a draft party in Charlotte, N.C. 3 Los Angeles Sparks star Rickea Jackson and James Pearce Jr. at a party in Charlotte, N.C. when the Falcons traded up to select him in the first round with the No. 26 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on April 24. X/ESPN Jackson, 24, was sitting alongside Pearce, 21, and rubbing his leg as he learned of his NFL dreams becoming reality after three seasons at Tennessee. The Sparks star also attended the school from 2022-24, playing two seasons for the Lady Volunteers. There was speculation on social media that Jackson and Pearce were dating, but the athletes have yet to address the matter publicly — until now. Many fans said they were shocked while reacting to the news on X. 'Is that Rickea??' one fan wrote. 'Fell to my knees when I saw Rickea Jackson sitting next to James Pearce Jr on draft night,' another added. 3 Tennessee defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. AP Others said they couldn't wait to see Jackson on the sidelines in Atlanta. As a junior, Pearce recorded 38 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks for Tennessee. He was named First-Team All SEC in 2023 and 2024. Jackson played for the Lady Vols after three seasons at Mississippi State. 3 Rickea Jackson of the Los Angeles Sparks handles the ball during the game on September 17, 2024. NBAE via Getty Images She earned WNBA All-Rookie Team honors this past season, and will begin her sophomore campaign when the Sparks open the 2025 WNBA season against the Golden State Valkyries — the league's newest expansion team — on May 17.
