Federal Bill Proposes a NCAA Replacement, Finalizing a Settlement in the Northwestern Hazing Lawsuit,+ ICYMI | Newsletter #318

Apr 10, 2025

Today’s Thursday newsletter includes highlights from this week, important news from last week, and what to watch for.

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Recapping Major News This Week:

Rep. Michael Baumgartner (R-WA), filed H.R. 2663, the “Restore College Sports Act” which would create the American College Sports Association.
The American College Sports Association (ACSA) would replace the NCAA to “oversee and regulate college sports”.
Under the ACSA, the President would appoint a commissioner with the advice of the Senate and the commissioner would serve a four year term.
The Bill calls for the NIL funds and revenue shared directly with the institutions to be distributed equally among all student-athletes.
Under the Bill, there would be more conference realignment, the “new” conferences would be need to be comprised of institutions within the same time zones.
The Restore College Sports Act proposed coaches having a maximum annual salary, capping their earnings at “10 times the full cost” of the specific institution.
CLICK HERE to learn more.

Former Northwestern football players are formalizing a settlement with the university regarding the alleged hazing and abuse lawsuits that led to Pat Fitzgerald’s firing.
Northwestern and the fomer players participated in mediations that resulted in a settlement being finalized.
While the settlement figures are confidential, the attorneys of the former players stated that the finalizing of the settlement “will hopefully allow both sides to move forward in a positive way.”
Former Head Coach Pat Fitzgerald, who denies any wrongdoing, is also suing Northwestern for $130 Million and while the former players are settling with the university, it will not resolve Fitzgerald’s suit.
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Kris Jenkins, former Villanova University Mens Basketball savior sues the NCAA and six conferences for money he could have made from NIL - LINK
Florida Gators win the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship in comeback fashion to win first title in 18 years - LINK
Thousands of intimate photos and videos found in the investigation of fomer Baltimore Ravens and University of Michigan assistant football coach - LINK
Arch Manning Inks NIL deal with Vuori - LINK
Hunter Dickinson, former Michigan and Kansas Mens Basketball player, calls for players to become employees and sign multi-year contracts - LINK

Juju Watkins signed a historic multi-year NIL deal with Fanatics Collectibles, where she will become the first female athlete to receive a Bowman University Chrome trading card from Topps, as well as other memorabilia.
After a standout freshman year, Juju Watkins is leading the Trojans with 24.6 points, 3.5 assists and 2.2 steals heading into her second March Madness tournament. She also sits tied for the team lead with 1.9 blocks per game and is averaging 6.9 rebounds.
Juju has amassed significant NIL deals over the past two years, and she now has a $739,000 On3 NIL Valuation.
CLICK HERE to learn more.

Judge M. Casey Rodgers of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida ruled that a majority of quarterback Jaden Rashada’s lawsuit against Florida Head football coach Billy Napier, former NIL director Marcus Castro-Walker, and booster Hugh can proceed to discovery.
The Court dismissed Rashada’s claims of tortious interference and a conspiracy claim related to an alleged boycott but allowed key fraud-related claims to move forward.
The case centers on an alleged $13.85 million NIL deal that reportedly influenced Rashada’s commitment flip from Miami to Florida in 2022. The lawsuit alleges that the deal fell through, leaving Rashada without a school or compensation.
Judge M. Casey Rodgers found Rashada presented sufficient pre-discovery evidence to suport his fraud claims, including allegations that Hathcock offered any NIL package necessary and was acting on instructions from Napier and Castro-Walker.
Rashada has since transferred to Arizona State, then Georgia, and recently re-entered the transfer portal.
CLICK HERE to learn more.

Keep up to date on all of our newsletters and content by checking out past Optimum Sports Consulting Newsletters, and following us on Twitter!