Blueprint Sports Acquires Their NIL Collective Rival SANIL, Multiple States Propose NIL Legislation Changes, and Much More | Newsletter #306
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Today’s newsletter includes plenty of NIL updates
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This Monday Newsletter includes:
1. Blueprint Sports' acquisition of Student Athlete NIL (SANIL)
2. Legal Updates: athletes urge for injunction in NCAA v. House, and a new athlete arbitration forum is launched
3. News for administrators and student athletes
Major News
NIL Collective Operator, Blueprint Sports, Acquires Competitor SANIL
On Wednesday, Blueprint Sports announced that it was acquiring its competitor, SANIL. The acquisition combines the NIL activities of 70 Division I programs— and a combined nine figures of annual NIL deal flow— under one roof.
Blueprint Sports operated collectives in Power Four schools while SANIL mostly focused on Group of Five institutions. Blueprint Sports and SANIL charged service fees for managing NIL donations to collectives and distributing funds to athletes. With the merger, the merged company plans to offer distinct services for both Power Four and Group of Five schools, including new agreements with universities to serve as their NIL service agency.
According to Blueprint CEO - Rob Sine - Blueprint remains in acquisition mode with Sine stating, “We’re looking for key pieces of data and services.” According to Sine, the “ultimate goal” for Blueprint now is to fully capture every NIL dollar that isn’t flowing directly through a school.
CLICK HERE to learn more.
Other Notable Stories to Follow
The SEC & Big Ten are pushing for seeding changes to 2025 CFP - LINK
Inside Paige Bueckers unique business strategy - LINK
Rick Pitino believes college basketball player movement is very similar to the Euroleague - LINK
Pac 12 expecting multiple media rights partners - LINK
Legal Updates
Athletes’ Lawyers Urge Judge Wilken for Injunction in House v. NCAA Settlement
The House v. NCAA settlement is currently on track to be approved on April 7, but lawyers have requested Judge Wilken to order an immediate injunction.
The five-page letter asks for an injunction to prevent, “the NCAA from imposing its unilateral March 1, 2025 deadline on schools” to opt into the settlement terms, including roster limits. In particular, the letter states that “requiring schools to opt in to roster limits before the Court has even ruled on the many filed objections is putting the proverbial cart before the horse and places athletes at an even greater risk of being cut from their teams before the settlement has been approved. Once these athletes are cut from their teams, the harm is irreparable.”
When the settlement is approved, thousands of Division I roster spots could be eliminated.
CLICK HERE to learn more.
Lawyer Tim Nevius - a former NCAA enforcement official - and sports lawyer Tye Gonser, launch their Athlete Arbitration Forum
FAIR (Forum of Arbitration & Independent Resolution) Sports, which is set to launch this spring, is a new service meant to present a cost-effective solution to the increasing number of contract disputes involving college athletes.
The forum will offer arbitration and mediation services for athlete disputes arising outside the NCAA’s enforcement purview, in deals with schools, NIL collectives and other third parties.
Tim Nevius said that FAIR Sports hopes to be the designated House settlement arbitration service provider for institutions or athletes to contest punishment the NCAA imposes for payments received in violation of the settlement’s rules. In addition, FAIR Sports will handle matters as the pre-designated alternative dispute resolution venue for athlete contracts.
CLICK HERE to learn more.
Optimum Sports Consulting is here to help.
For athletes looking for NIL insight and advisement, administrators and collectives looking for resources and facilitating a best-in class process, or agents looking to navigate the changing landscape, we’re here to help!
Message us now for a free consultation.
FOR ATHLETES
Notes for the Week
Kai Trump inks NIL deal with TaylorMade - LINK
USC Defensive lineman uses NIL money to buy a Jeep for his mom - LINK
FOR ADMINS
Multiple states propose legislative changes towards athletes NIL
Illinois moves to exempt athletes’ NIL money from taxes - LINK
Texas introduces bill capping international athlete scholarships - LINK
WV introduces bill prohibiting NCAA from investigating athletes’ NIL activities - LINK
Kansas introduces bill allowing for NCAA restrictions on 3rd party NIL deals - LINK
Thanks for Reading!
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