Calipari's Spending Spree, St. Johns' MBB Players Sue, More States Join Battle Against NCAA+ ICYMI & More | NIL Newsletter #235
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Major News
Calipari Plans To Use Arkansas NIL Fund To Build Roster
Razorbacks Athletic Director, Hunter Yuracheck, prioritized giving Calipari whatever he needed to succeed in his first year.
John Calipari landed FAU transfer Johnell Davis, who averaged 18.2 points per game for the Owls last season.
Calipari reportedly offered Davis an offer north of $1 million.
Arkansas donors are all-in on NIL and believe that it will go a long way in trying to compete for a conference and national championship this upcoming season.
LINK.
Chris Ledlum and Jordan Dingle Sue NCAA For Extra Year of Eligibility
Ledlum and Dingle seek “injunctive relief” from the Queens Supreme Court.
Both players were previously in the IVY League and missed the 2020-2021 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Other Division I athletes whose conferences did play in 2020-2021 were automatically given a fifth year to use.
Ledlum and Dingle argue that failing to grant them another season could have “dire consequences on their athletic, academic, and NIL experiences.”
Florida, New York, and Washington D.C. Bring Lawsuit Against NCAA
The multistate coalition alleges that the NCAA violated federal antitrust laws by placing restrictions on the ability of student-athletes to benefit from NIL.
Lawsuits continue to challenge the NCAA’s definition of “amateurism,” claiming that it is an “amorphous concept” that the NCAA uses to rank in billions of dollars in revenue.
The States argue that “amateurism” is an outdated concept that serves no purpose but to impair college football and basketball players.
LINK.
For Athletes
Deal of the Week
LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne announces multi-million dollar NIL partnership with Passes, a platform that empowers athletes to create exclusive content and experiences for fans.
This is the first NIL deal for Passes, which looks to attract other college athletes looking to create a regular income stream without having to sign multiple brand deals.
Dunne plans to give fans a behind-the-scenes look at life as a Division I athlete, including livestreams of her training routines and Q&A sessions.
LINK.
ICYMI
New TCU guard Haley Van Lith signs NIL deal with LaCroix Water, making her the first college athlete to partner with the brand. LINK.
Junior guard Divine Bourrage (Class of 2025) inks second NIL partnership with IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union. LINK.
Michigan’s NIL Collective, The Champions Circle, has signed over 30 football players with more to come. LINK
Fourth overall pick Marvin Harrison Jr. has not signed the preliminary NFL Players’ Association Licensing Agreement that would allow his name and likeness to be monetized. LINK.
Indiana Athletics agree to a 10-year extension with long-standing apparel partner Adidas. LINK.
Have you checked out OSC’s website?
Head to www.OptimumSportsConsulting.com to find important resources and features relating to all things NIL. These resources include State by State Resources for Admins, Agents, and Athletes, including our initial “OSC Summaries” for over a dozen states coming soon.
More to come too, including links to helpful state information- agency laws and information about school policies, as well as seminar/congressional notes, worksheets, and much more!