Latest news with #NILdeals
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Maryland coach Mike Locksley admits 'I lost my locker room' during 4-8 season in 2024
Maryland coach Mike Locksley had an admission to make at Big Ten media day on Tuesday. Locksley told reporters in his opening statement that he 'lost my locker room' during a 4-8 campaign in 2024. Though he didn't specifically mention players' NIL deals as a reason why the locker room was fractured, Locksley said that he had a group of players who were haves and have-nots. 'When you think about our team, here's what I'll tell you. This for me is a kind of year of what I like to call vulnerability,' Locksley said. 'One of the greatest characteristics you can have as a leader is the ability to be vulnerable.' 'I'll tell you, a year ago Coach Locks lost his locker room. For me to stand in front of a group of media and tell you that I lost my locker rom, and it wasn't because I wasn't a good coach, it wasn't because they weren't good players because we were better than a four-win team. What we had to do was we had haves and have-nots for the first time in our locker room and the landscape of college football taught me a valuable lesson.' 'That valuable lesson is it's important for me, even in the midst of this change, to continue to educate our players on the importance of what playing for something bigger than yourself is all about, and I can tell you that if I've got to put my desk in the locker room this year, I will.' The 2024 season was just the second full losing season in Locksley's tenure with the team. Maryland went 3-9 in his first season in 2019 and had won 23 games over the previous three seasons and capped each of those with a bowl win. Advertisement There was no bowl game a season ago thanks to that losing record. Maryland's only conference win of the season came in a thriller against USC in October before the Terrapins ended the season on a five-game losing streak. Seven of Maryland's eight losses came by double digits too. The Terps entered the 2024 season with Billy Edwards as the team's starting QB following the departure of Taulia Tagovailoa. Tua's younger brother asked the NCAA for a waiver to play a sixth season in 2024 but was denied thanks to a fifth game he played as a freshman in Alabama in 2019. Edwards played in 11 games a season ago and transferred to Wisconsin in the offseason. True freshman Malik Washington could end up being the team's 2025 starter. He was a four-star recruit in the class of 2025 as the No. 3 dual-threat QB in the country and signed with Maryland in December of 2024. 'But I can tell you, last year was tough on me as a coach because for the first time those really strong relationships were questioned because I had to decide whether to pay a freshman coming in or take care of a veteran player that helped me go to three bowl games and have success and do something that hadn't been done in 130 years in the history of Maryland football.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nevada WR Catches Court Win as NCAA Eligibility Cases Split
In the latest twist on whether college athletes whose NCAA eligibility has expired have a legal right to keep playing for NIL deals and preparation for pro sports, a federal judge in Nevada last Friday blocked the NCAA from rendering University of Nevada wide receiver Cortez Braham Jr. ineligible for what will be his seventh season in college sports. U.S. District Judge Miranda M. Du's ruling, which the NCAA can appeal to the U.S. Court for the Ninth Circuit, sets the table for a potential circuit split that attracts the interest of the U.S. Supreme Court. Last week, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit reversed a ruling that would have allowed Wisconsin cornerback Nyzier Fourqurean to play a fifth season of college football in five years. Meanwhile, the NCAA and Vanderbilt quarterback and former JUCO transfer Diego Pavia, who last December received a court ruling to play another season this fall, wait for the Sixth Circuit to decide. More from Offsides: The Two House Dems Who Make GOP's SCORE Act 'Bipartisan' NCAA Defeats Terrelle Pryor's Lawsuit Over Lost NIL Opportunities Every Division I School's Revenue-Sharing Decision for 2025-26 As Sportico detailed when Braham sued in May, he played three seasons of JUCO football and then three seasons in D-I, including in 2024 when he started all 13 games for the Wolf Pack and was second in the team in receptions and receiving yards. Braham seeks to play another season so that he can sign NIL deals worth about $500,000 and develop his football skills in preparation for the NFL. He alleges that the loss of a 'once-in-a-lifetime opportunity' to play D-I football would not only negate lucrative NIL opportunities but would, as Du explained, 'impair his prospects of playing professionally, deprive him of essential training and competition experiences, and adversely affect his personal well-being and mental health.' Through attorneys Brandon D. Wright and Gregg E. Clifton of Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith, Braham argues the five-year rule, which limits athletes to four seasons of intercollegiate competition—including JUCO competition—in any one sport within a five-year window, runs afoul of antitrust law. He insists the rule shouldn't apply to time spent at a junior college since such an educational institution is not governed by the NCAA and because the rule doesn't apply to athletes who do a post-graduate year after high school or partake in other activities including, Du writes, 'military service, religious missions, professional careers in other sports, or independent athletic or academic work.' The basic logic: Why should going to a junior college count against the clock, but a post-graduate year, military service, religious mission or a pro career in another sport not count? Du agreed with Braham that he is part of a labor market for D-I college football given 'it is the sole pathway to NFL opportunities, and participation provides unique benefits, including NIL compensation, which are not available elsewhere, including at the JUCO level.' She also reasoned that in the current college sports world where athletes can sign NIL deals and now share revenue pursuant to the House settlement, eligibility rules are 'commercial' in nature and thus subject to antitrust scrutiny when they restrain economic opportunities. The judge also endorsed Braham's antitrust arguments, including that the five-year rule 'results in commercial harm' to JUCO players, who are 'excluded from the various benefits' conferred in D-I football. Those benefits include 'more exposure, potentially better competition and coaching, and financial advantages due to the NIL opportunities.' Likewise, Du wasn't persuaded by the NCAA's assertion that the five-year rule preserves college athletics as a unique product that is distinguishable from pro sports. She stressed that justification 'runs counter to the NCAA's other exceptions to its five-year rule that allow for older students to join after prep school, military service and/or religious obligations.' The judge also didn't buy the NCAA's assertion that exempting JUCO years from the five-year rule would enable athletes to 'compete indefinitely' at JUCO before transferring to a D-I school or that the rule 'ensures natural degree progression.' Du kept stressing that exceptions under the five-year rule for other pursuits, such as a post-graduate year, 'highlights the unfairness of treating JUCO competition as analogous to D-I competition.' Further, Du found that even though much of Braham's desire to keep playing is to land what he says are about $500,000 in NIL deals, the receiver would suffer irreparable harm without an injunction. In law, irreparable harm generally means the kind of harm that money damages can't later remedy if a case goes to trial and wins. Of course, an estimated loss of $500,000 could be remedied by money since it is a quantifiable figure. But Du reasoned that 'regardless' of whether NIL offers 'may result in calculable monetary compensation,' the more salient point (in her view) is that 'forgone opportunity to 'market' one's 'name' and 'likeness' and to 'showcase abilities to future employers' cannot be estimated or quantified.' She also referenced how playing another season will impact Braham's NFL and pro football prospects and that 'constitutes a unique harm' that can't be fully compensated by money. In another adverse take on an NCAA argument, Du found unconvincing the NCAA's point that Braham—and by logical extension those similarly situated—playing another year would displace other athletes. One displaced athlete is the player whose scholarship and spot on the Wolf Pack football roster this fall is predicated on Braham not being on the roster. 'The NCAA,' Du wrote, 'failed to present any evidence of a fixed roster demonstrating proof of actual displacement.' The NCAA can appeal Du's order to the Ninth Circuit. Many of the NCAA's arguments have persuaded other judges reviewing similar cases, particularly since there might not be a 'limiting principle' to athletes suing to keep playing. After all, if an athlete's forgone NIL opportunities and development of skills in preparation for a career in the NFL (or NBA, WNBA, etc.) are justifications under antitrust law to keep playing, athletes might sue to remain in college sports for several years, including while enrolled at a university as a grad student. The prospect of a split among federal circuits on whether the five-year rule complies with, or violates, antitrust law could attract the interest of the U.S. Supreme Court, since athletes (and universities) in different parts of the country would essentially have different rights. In a statement shared with Sportico, an NCAA spokesperson said the association 'stands by its eligibility rules' as they 'enable student-athletes and schools to have fair competition and ensure broad access' to opportunities to play college sports. The spokesperson also alluded to the prospect of Congress intervening to grant the NCAA an exemption from antitrust scrutiny on eligibility matters. 'As legal outcomes continue to differ from case to case,' the spokesperson said, 'the NCAA believes partnering with Congress is essential to provide clarity and stability for current and future student-athletes.' Best of College Athletes as Employees: Answering 25 Key Questions
Forbes
3 days ago
- Sport
- Forbes
Unrivaled Bets Big On College Talent With Watkins, Fudd In NIL Class
MEDLEY, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 21: Napheesa Collier #24 of the Lunar Owls goes up for a shot against ... More Angel Reese #5 of Rose during the first half at Wayfair Arena on February 21, 2025 in Medley, Florida. (Photo by) Unrivaled, in partnership with Samsung, has signed 14 of the most prominent women's college basketball players to NIL deals, launching one of the sport's most ambitious athlete development efforts to date. The full roster includes: JuJu Watkins (USC) Azzi Fudd (UConn) Lauren Betts (UCLA) Sienna Betts (UCLA) Madison Booker (Texas) Audi Crooks (Iowa State) MiLaysia Fulwiley (LSU) Hannah Hidalgo (Notre Dame) Flau'jae Johnson (LSU) Ta'Niya Latson (South Carolina) Olivia Miles (TCU) Kiki Rice (UCLA) Sarah Strong (UConn) Syla Swords (Michigan) This class brings with it 32 NCAA Tournament appearances, 25 Sweet 16s, 14 Elite Eights, 10 Final Fours, and four national championships, along with a history of success on the international stage with USA and Canada Basketball. These athletes are already household names in college sports and will likely shape the direction of the game for years to come. 'Investing in elite women's basketball talent is central to our mission,' said Luke Cooper, President of Basketball Operations. 'This is about locking in the best players early and giving them the resources, platform, and support to grow with us.' Unrivaled Brings A New Model For Women's Basketball MEDLEY, FLORIDA - MARCH 17: Rose BC members lift the championship trophy after defeating Vinyl BC in ... More the inaugural season of Unrivaled at Wayfair Arena on March 17, 2025 in Medley, Florida. (Photo by) Launched in 2023, Unrivaled was built to reimagine women's basketball. The league is player-led and structured around a short-form season designed to fit within the WNBA offseason, offering top-tier athletes a chance to earn, grow, and build their brands year-round. Co-founded by WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, the league secured investment from high-profile backers including Alex Morgan, Chelsea Clinton, and Carmelo Anthony. Unlike traditional leagues that rely on centralized team structures, Unrivaled is designed to elevate players as individuals and entrepreneurs. That mission is reflected in this NIL class, which positions the league at the center of the women's basketball pipeline, years before these athletes reach the professional level. Unrivaled NIL Strategy Focused On Development NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 16: Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers are seen at 'Good Morning America' on ... More April 16, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by The Hapa Blonde/GC Images) The NIL agreements go beyond endorsement deals. The athletes will attend The Future is Unrivaled Summit, a multi-day event hosted at the league's headquarters in Miami. Programming includes on-court skill development, brand-building sessions, merchandise design, social media strategy, and group activities aimed at creating a sense of community and shared purpose. Samsung Galaxy, the league's presenting sponsor, will provide the mobile technology powering the summit, giving athletes access to advanced content creation tools and digital experiences. 'Samsung and Unrivaled are building the future of sports,' said Olga Suvorova, Vice President of Mobile eXperience Marketing at Samsung Electronics America. 'This summit isn't just about visibility. It's about opportunity, innovation, and opening new paths for athletes.' Unrivaled Strengthening Athlete Relationships BATON ROUGE, LA - MARCH 22: Flau'jae Johnson #4 of the LSU Tigers in action against the San Diego ... More State Aztecs during the First Round of the 2025 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament held at Pete Maravich Assembly Center on March 22, 2025 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Reagan Cotten/LSU/University Images via Getty Images) Unrivaled's model centers around long-term athlete alignment. Last December, the league announced NIL partnerships with Paige Bueckers and Flau'jae Johnson. JuJu Watkins, already an investor through the league's Series A funding round, now deepens her involvement as a participant in the NIL program. These multifaceted relationships reflect a shift in how modern athletes engage with leagues, not just as performers, but as stakeholders and business partners. By meeting these college athletes early in their careers, Unrivaled is establishing a foundation of trust and loyalty. It's a long game designed to ensure that the league becomes a natural next step in their professional journeys. Unrivaled Rising Demand Meets Smart Strategy LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 12: Southern California Trojans guard JuJu Watkins (12) is ... More introduced during a NCAA women's basketball game against the Cal State Northridge Matadors on November 12, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by) The women's basketball landscape is changing fast. College stars like Watkins, Hidalgo, and Fudd are pulling millions of views on social media and drawing national attention. The 2024 NCAA Women's Final Four shattered viewership records, and WNBA attendance and ratings are rising steadily. Commercial partners, media companies, and fans are recognizing what many inside the sport have long known, the product is elite, and the market is ready. Unrivaled is capitalizing on this moment by aligning its growth with the talent that is driving the surge. By investing in future stars now, the league is not only building credibility but also setting up a direct pipeline from college to its own platform. This is a clear shift from the reactive, late-stage recruiting model most leagues rely on. It's proactive, personal, and deeply strategic. This latest NIL initiative cements Unrivaled as more than a league, it is becoming an incubator for elite talent and a brand built on athlete empowerment. The business case is strong. By offering more than court time, including content opportunities, revenue sharing, brand-building, and investment in players, Unrivaled is building a model that reflects the modern athlete's needs and aspirations.
Fox News
5 days ago
- Sport
- Fox News
Unrivaled Announces NIL Deals With College Stars JuJu Watkins, Azzi Fudd, More
JuJu Watkins, Flau'Jae Johnson and Azzi Fudd are three of 14 top women's college basketball players that Unrivaled is signing to name, image and likeness deals, the league announced Saturday. It's the second consecutive year that the 3-on-3 league that was founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart has had NIL with college players. In its inaugural season, Unrivaled had deals with Paige Bueckers and Johnson. Watkins, who plays for USC but is sidelined with an ACL injury, has also previously been involved with Unrivaled as an investor in its Series A funding round. Johnson, who is at LSU, and Fudd, at UConn, both were on hand for the announcement, as were Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo and UConn's Sarah Strong. Other players signed include TCU's Olivia Miles, UCLA's Kiki Rice and Lauren and Sienna Betts, Texas' Madison Booker, Iowa State's Audi Crooks, LSU's MiLaysia Fulwiley, South Carolina's Ta'Niya Latson and Michigan's Syla Swords. The players range from sophomores to seniors. Women's basketball players have been able to take advantage of NIL opportunities over the last few years with Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Bueckers and Johnson at the forefront of it. Reese played in Unrivaled in its first season. [MORE: Top 10 Women's College Basketball Players with the Highest NIL Valuations] As part of the initiative, the class will be attending a multi-day event at the league's headquarters in Miami, which will include skill development and content shoots. "This transformational, first-of-its-kind initiative brings together the best of the best and reflects our deep commitment to elevating the women's game and holistically supporting athletes," Luke Cooper, President of Basketball Operations at Unrivaled, said in the initiative's announcement. "Investing in elite women's basketball talent is central to Unrivaled's mission." Unrivaled completed its inaugural season this past March, and is gearing up for its second this coming January. Reporting by The Associated Press. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Unrivaled announces NIL deals with 14 college players, including JuJu Watkins and Flau'Jae Johnson
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — JuJu Watkins, Flau'Jae Johnson and Azzi Fudd are three of 14 top women's college basketball players that Unrivaled is signing to NIL deals, the league announced Saturday. It's the second consecutive year that the 3-on-3 league that was founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart has had name, image and likeness deals with college players. In it's inaugural season, Unrivaled had deals with Paige Bueckers and Johnson. Watkins, who plays for Southern California but is sidelined with an ACL injury, has also previously been involved with Unrivaled as an investor in its Series A funding round. Johnson, who is at LSU, and Fudd, at UConn, both were on hand for the announcement, as were Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo and UConn's Sarah Strong. Other players signed include TCU's Olivia Miles, UCLA's Kiki Rice and Lauren and Sienna Betts, Texas' Madison Booker, Iowa State's Audi Crooks, LSU's MiLaysia Fulwiley, South Carolina Ta'Niya Latson and Michigan's Syla Swords. The players range from sophomores to seniors. Women's basketball players have been able to take advantage of NIL opportunities over the last few years with Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Bueckers and Johnson at the forefront of it. Reese played in Unrivaled in its first season. As part of the initiative, the class will be attending a multi-day event at the league's headquarters in Miami, which will include skill development and content shoots. 'This transformational, first-of-its-kind initiative brings together the best of the best and reflects our deep commitment to elevating the women's game and holistically supporting athletes,' Luke Cooper, President of Basketball Operations at Unrivaled, said in the initiative's announcement. 'Investing in elite women's basketball talent is central to Unrivaled's mission.' Unrivaled completed its inaugural season this past March, and is gearing up for its second this coming January. ___ AP WNBA:
