Florida Basketball Coach Being Investigated For Sexual Harassment, NCAA Lifts CHL Hockey Ban, and More | Newsletter #287
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Today’s newsletter includes plenty of college football/NIL updates
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This Monday Newsletter includes:
1. Title IX Complaint Against Todd Golden
2. NCAA Eligibility Bans Lifted
3. What’s coming up in the world of NIL
4. Legal Updates: More NCAA Lawsuits
5. News/tips for administrators and student athletes
Major News
Title IX Complaint Filed Against Todd Golden for Sexual Harassment
Florida Men’s Basketball Head Coach, Todd Golden, has been accused of multiple counts of stalking and sexual harassment.
A formal Title IX complaint was filed against Golden on Sept. 27 for alleged breaches of the school’s gender equity policy where Golden is accused of making unwanted advances to women (including Florida students) on social media. In particular, one woman said she was stalked by Golden “more than 10 times” and that he had sent her pictures of his genitalia.
In response, Golden released the following statement: “For the last month, I have actively participated in and respected the confidentiality of an ongoing school inquiry. I have recently engaged Ken Turkel to advise me on my ability to bring defamation claims while this confidential investigation is ongoing. My family and I appreciate the support we have received and remain confident the university will continue its efforts to finish its review promptly."
Golden is in his third season as Florida’s head coach
CLICK HERE to learn more.
NCAA to Change Rules For Preenrollment Activities in Men’s Hockey and Skiing
The proposed change would enable prospects who participate in major junior ice hockey, or on professional teams, to retain NCAA eligibility as long as they are not paid more than actual and necessary expenses as part of that participation.
"As the council continues its review of the full spectrum of NCAA eligibility rules, this proposal, focused on a singular issue, represents a pragmatic step in aligning skiing and men's ice hockey with other sports in terms of allowable preenrollment activities," - Josh Whitman, athletics director at Illinois and chair of the Division 1 council.
The NCAA D1 council has also had discussions about other eligibility concepts, including preenrollment eligibility concepts, seasons of competition, and redshirt rules for sports other than football.
The rule change would take effect August 1, 2025.
CLICK HERE to learn more.
Other Notable Stories to Follow
Will GOP takeover affect athlete employment status? Maybe not - LINK
Florida to retain head football coach despite disappointing season - LINK
NCAA suspends limits on number of official football visits schools can host for prospective student-athletes - LINK
While the SEC & Big Ten continue to grow closer, others are pushing for alternative college football approaches - LINK
What’s Coming Up Next For NIL
April 7, 2025 | Final Approval Hearing for the House v. NCAA Settlement
Legal Updates
Vanderbilt Quarterback, Diego Pavia, Sues the NCAA over Junior College (“JUCO”) Rules
Diego Pavia sued the NCAA on Friday in a Tennessee federal district court claiming that NCAA rules barring his eligibility for the 2025-26 season because of his prior play at a junior college violate the Sherman Act.
Before joining Vanderbilt, Pavia played at JUCO New Mexico Military Institute for two seasons before transferring to New Mexico Sate for his next two seasons.
Pavia’s eligibility is set to expire following this season because of the combined effect of three NCAA bylaws: 12.8 (the Five-Year Rule); 12.02.6 (the Intercollegiate Competition Rule) and 14.3.3 (the Three-Year Limitation).
The Five-Year Rule allows an NCAA athlete to play four seasons of “intercollegiate competition” within a five-year window, and the NCAA interprets “intercollegiate competition” to include JUCO play even though junior colleges are not members of the NCAA. In addition, the NCAA limits junior college transfers to a maximum of three years.
Pavia claims that the NCAA shouldn’t count his JUCO years against his eligibility to play at an NCAA member school, and that his chances for NIL deals and professional prospects are harmed by doing so.
CLICK HERE to learn more.
NCAA May Still Face Litigation After Lifting Their CHL Hockey Player Ban
Despite changing the eligibility bylaws regarding preenrollment activities to allow major junior hockey players, litigation over the ban could continue.
Litigation stemmed from Rylan Masterson, a 19-year-old Ontario hockey player, suing the NCAA and 10 universities in a New York federal court over a “boycott” of Canadian Hockey League players. The defenseman was ineligible to play NCAA D-I hockey because he played two exhibition games for the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires in 2022… making him a pro athlete in the eyes of the NCAA.
Masterson argued that the NCAA’s policy denied players of educational and athletic opportunities, and that it is hypocritical given that the NCAA permits former pro hockey players on European teams to play D-I hockey and allows college athletes to sign lucrative, pro sports-like NIL deals.
Although Masterson will now be eligible in 2025, he and others could still sue over money damages for economic harms already inflicted on players that were deemed ineligible.
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
South Carolina star pass rusher, Dylan Stewart, is negotiating a $1 million+ NIL Deal for his sophomore year - LINK
Bryce Underwood’s Michigan offer may reach $10 million - LINK
Livvy Dunne & Paul Skenes appear on College GameDay - LINK
FOR ADMINS
Notes for the Week
Memo sent out to power conferences with initial revenue sharing cap numbers for Year 1 - LINK
SEC sets football scholarship limit at 85 for 2025 - LINK
USC President, Carol Folt, retiring in July 2025 - LINK
Thanks for Reading!
Keep up to date on all of our newsletters and content by checking out past Optimum Sports Consulting Newsletters, and following us on Twitter!