Latest news with #ex-Arizona
USA Today
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Watch Rams WR Puka Nacua surprise NFL rookies with message and signed jersey
Every NFL rookie has players they watched growing up — either right before they entered the league or throughout their childhood. These stars helped shaped who they became as players, and some will even be peers now. Some of the league's current and legendary stars gave to those rookies in an awesome "welcome to the league" video from Fanatics, where NFL rookies were surprised with a message and a signed jersey. Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua was a featured player who sent a message to some of the top first-round receivers like the Carolina Panthers' Tetairoa McMillan and the Green Bay Packers' Matthew Golden. Other NFL legends were also featured. Take a watch: It's a bit odd to see Nacua featured in a video that includes legendary players like Tom Brady and Hall of Famers like Peyton Manning, but his meteoric rise after just two seasons is also a testament to how quickly a young player can ascend to the top of his craft. Nacua was just a fifth-round pick before he broke out as a rookie and set NFL records. It's funny, too, that Nacua sent a message to McMillan after the Rams reportedly tried to trade up for the ex-Arizona receiver. This is a moment all the rookies will remember when they start their NFL careers. Perhaps McMillan will wear his signed Nacua jersey when the Rams face the Panthers in Charlotte in Week 13.
Newsweek
01-07-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Texas A&M Announces Major Changes After NCAA Settlement
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Texas A&M University is cutting its athletics department budget by nearly $10 million in response to the House Vs. National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) settlement that allows colleges to pay student athletes who represent them, according to the Austin American-Statesman. Newsweek contacted Texas A&M University for comment on Tuesday via email outside of regular office hours. Why It Matters College sports, particularly football and basketball, can generate hundreds of millions of dollars, yet historically, the student-athletes weren't paid beyond their scholarships. However, this was challenged by ex-Arizona collegiate swimmer Grant House in 2020, and on June 6, a federal judge approved a settlement, allowing NCAA Division I schools to directly pay their student athletes for the first time. What To Know On Monday, A&M's athletic director, Trev Alberts, told reporters he plans to cut staff and other spending in response to the House v. NCAA settlement, which requires each university to pay its student athletes $20.5 million drawn from revenue-sharing agreements. The settlement was agreed upon provisionally in May 2024 before being signed off by a judge last month. A fact sheet presented by Albert indicates a combination of cuts and projected revenue increases should boost the department's coffers by around $26.5 million. The athletics director indicates $4 million will be saved by cuts to the number of administrative employees, $2 million from cuts to sports teams, around $1 million from reduced spending related to the number of student athletes and $1.8 million from cuts to the Alston Awards, which is funding student athletes can spend on their studies. Chase Bisontis #71 of the Texas A&M Aggies congratulating Le'Veon Moss #8 after a rushing touchdown in the first half against the Missouri Tigers at Kyle Field on October 05, 2024 in College Station, Texas. Chase Bisontis #71 of the Texas A&M Aggies congratulating Le'Veon Moss #8 after a rushing touchdown in the first half against the Missouri Tigers at Kyle Field on October 05, 2024 in College Station, Texas. Tim Warner/GETTY The fact sheet also suggested a cut will be made to funding for the 12th Man Foundation, which pays for "scholarships, programs and facilities" for A&M athletes. According to the Austin American-Statesman, Alberts said his department is currently "a little heavy" in terms of executive staffing, suggesting there will be cuts in this area. Alberts said football is A&M's only net revenue-producing sport, though the money for student athletes will also be spread across men's and women's basketball, baseball, volleyball, and softball. In April 2024, the Texas A&M athletics department reduced its workforce by 18. Earlier this year, the NCAA updated its policy on transgender athletes, limiting competition in women's sports to those who were born biologically female, following an executive order signed by President Trump. What People Are Saying Speaking on Monday, Alberts said: "This [settlement] has to work for the future of college athletics. "It's worth saying, you know, an unregulated market that we've lived in the last three to four years is not in the best interest of anybody, including the student-athletes." Referring to players' name, image and likeness (NIL) agreements, Alberts added: "We're going to have (a) best-in-class, fair-market value, NIL strategy. "It's where I think Texas A&M has a great strategic advantage... bringing all of our combined assets together to create the best fair-market value NIL strategy for all of our student athletes, [that] should be a separator for us." What Happens Next It remains to be seen how having paid student-athletes will transform NCAA Division I competitions going forward.
