Latest news with #JasonJohnston
Miami Herald
15-04-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
HBCUs to be tested in vulnerable area by NCAA House Settlement
The landmark NCAA House Settlement is poised to redefine the financial and operational landscape of college athletics, with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) facing unique challenges in its wake. Jason Johnston, COO and general counsel at ROY and a legal expert in class action settlements in college sports, broke down what the deal could mean for lower-resourced institutions in an interview with HBCU Gameday. "All the athletes in the past, HBCU athlete has been a Division I athlete going back several years… can come forward now, submit a claim and be compensated," Johnston said, referring to the monetary damages available through the settlement. "But also, it's doing-it's changing the rules moving forward." Among the most significant shifts is the option for schools to participate in revenue sharing with athletes. "All the non-Power Four schools, all the HBCU schools, they have the option of whether or not they want to do revenue sharing with their athletes," Johnston said. "But regardless… there's a couple things that are impacting every Division I school-and it's roster limits and reporting requirements." It's those reporting requirements that may hit NCAA Division I HBCUs the hardest. "Under the new rule, every NIL deal over $600 involving a Division I athlete must be reported to the school or there's going to be penalties," Johnston said. This presents a serious burden for compliance departments at HBCUs and other smaller programs. "Particularly, I think, related back to HBCUs… typically have maybe one person, maybe a couple people in their compliance departments… not Alabama, not Ohio State, where there might be a dozen people," he noted. "That's a big burden on those compliance departments." "The student-athlete must report… If a school doesn't have institutional control… the enforcement action isn't necessarily going to come down to the athlete-it's going to come to the school,' Johnston said. Schools that fail to meet reporting obligations could face suspensions for coaches or financial penalties-an added strain in already tight athletic budgets. "The HBCU is not going to be able to grow their compliance department. That's unrealistic. There's not a budget for it." That financial pressure, combined with new roster limitations and operational obligations, could spark broader institutional questions. "There's a lot of conversation happening now, even like, what does it look like to move down a division?" Johnston said. "I think what we're probably going to see is some schools take approach right now, and over the next several years, you're going to see different schools taking different approaches before you kind of get to sort of a common theme." For some HBCUs already operating on thin margins, dropping to Division II or III could emerge as a survival strategy. "There's no right answer right now," Johnston said. "It's going to be a challenge. But the alternative is a challenge as well." As the June 15 opt-in deadline approaches, HBCUs will face difficult decisions-not just about how to manage NIL and compliance, but whether they can continue to compete at the NCAA Division I level under the new rules of college sports. The post HBCUs to be tested in vulnerable area by NCAA House Settlement appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
CBC
17-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
Manitoba's canola industry, farmers call for federal action on looming tariffs from China
Impending Chinese retaliatory tariffs on some canola products has led Manitoba farmers and industry members to critique the Canadian government for not doing enough to protect farmers from financial harm and make amends with China. Jason Johnston, who operates a grain farm in Darlingford Man., about 117 kilometres southwest of Winnipeg, said provincial and federal politicians haven't acknowledged the impacts farmers are facing since China's Commerce Ministry announced it will impose 100 per cent tariffs on canola oil and oil meal starting Thursday. "In the week since this announcement has been made, canola has dropped $2 a bushel, so on my farm that would mean about an $80,000 loss every year," Johnston said, adding that he farms approximately 1,000 acres of canola on crop rotation each year. "We are definitely in the red on canola at these prices." The looming tariffs are in retaliation for Canada's 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles and a 25 per cent levy on Chinese aluminum and steel products imposed on Oct. 1. Canada followed the lead of the United States and the European Union who initially applied import levies on Chinese-made electric vehicles. Johnston wonders if canola farmers will be compensated for their losses and urges Canadian politicians — who have been "completely silent" on the issue — to lift the tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles in the hopes China will revoke its tariff threats. "We are price takers, we have no say in this at all … and Canadian farmers need to know what's going to happen," he said during an interview on CBC's Information Radio on Monday. Canola is Canada's second largest acreage crop with more than 21 million acres produced annually, a federal news release said. Canola meal exports to China made up $920.9 million of Canada's economy in 2024 while canola oil exports to China made up about $21 million. Although farmers are seeking other options for crops to grow on their farms, flooding these alternative agriculture markets poses a risk as well, he said. The federal government has implemented some tariff relief measures for Canadian businesses and workers, including $1 billion in new financing through Farm Credit Canada to reduce financial barriers for the Canadian agriculture and food industry — but Johnston says these are loans and not financial aid. China is Canada's second-largest trading partner, following the U.S., which has imposed 25 per cent tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China. U.S. President Trump has paused some tariffs imposed on Canadian goods, including canola products, until April 2. Johnston questions why Prime Minister Mark Carney, who was sworn in on Friday after the previous leader Justin Trudeau stepped down, isn't ramping up the country's trade relations with China if the U.S. is no longer a favourable trade partner. The federal government's former International Trade Minister Mary Ng and Lawrence MacAulay, the former federal minister for agriculture, said Canada "remains open to engaging in constructive dialogue with Chinese officials" to address their trade concerns, according to a news release on March 8. Johnston criticized how Carney promised to support workers in the Canadian steel and aluminum industry on Wednesday following the impacts of U.S. tariffs, but has yet to commit to supporting farmers affected by tariffs on canola. Carney is also doubling down on his partnerships with France and the U.K. as Trump continues to attack the future of Canada's sovereignty and economy. Winnipeg South Centre MP Ben Carr said China's tariffs on canola are "unwarranted and unjustified." Government officials are working to ensure support is in place for Manitoba farmers, he said in an emailed statement on Monday. Andre Harpe, chairman of the Canadian Canola Growers Association, said he's spoken to Kody Blois, the new federal cabinet minister for agriculture and agri-food, who seems to be listening to the industry's concerns. "We are starting to see recognition that this is a serious issue," said Harpe, who's based in Grande Prairie, Alta. Possible tariffs from the U.S. and China will simultaneously leave Canada with "no room to breathe" which would be "absolutely devastating," he said. The industry has already seen some grain companies holding back from buying canola, Harpe said.
