House v. NCAA, Promotion/Relegation?, House Committee Hearing, + ICYMI | NIL Newsletter #184
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Quick Hitters:
Crucial House v. NCAA Hearing
On Thursday, Judge Claudia Wilken of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California will hear oral arguments on a motion for class certification.
Plaintiffs Grant House (seen above), Tymir Oliver, and Sedona Prince have requested multiple classes:
One covers Division I Football and men’s basketball athletes from June 15, 2016.
A second covers all women’s basketball athletes over the same time period.
A third covers all other sports over the same time period.
The fourth is an injunctive class covering all Division I from June 15, 2020 through the case’s judgment.
A trial is currently scheduled for January 27, 2025.
More on the upcoming hearing is available HERE.
Promotion and Relegation Coming to College Football?
According to Front Office Sports, Boise State associate AD Michael Walsh has created a formal proposal for a system of promotion and relegation within a new conference.
The proposal includes a three-tiered alliance, twenty-four FBS Football programs, and promotion/relegation opportunities at the end of each season.
“Many, many folks are kicking around concepts of relegation/promotion, or mega-leagues,” said Mountain West Commissioner Gloria Nevarez. “[T]his is probably the first I’ve seen of someone really putting pen to paper, and looking at it comprehensively.”
Walsh suggested that the teams come from the Mountain West, the remaining Pac-12 members (Washington State and Oregon State), and a combination of AAC, C-USA, and WAC programs.
The full report is available HERE.
House Committee on Small Business Hearing Results
On Wednesday, the House Committee on Small Business hosted a hearing titled “Athletes and Innovators: Analyzing NIL’s Impact on Entrepreneurial Collegiate Athletes.”
Speakers included Ohio State AD Gene Smith (above), TCU AD Jeremiah Donati, College Football Player’s Association VP Maddie Salamone, and Heisman Winner Gino Torretta.
Gene Smith, who will step down from his position at the end of the 2023-24 academic year, stated: “Trust me, I never wanted to come to the federal government to ask for help.”
Representative Aaron Bean asked witnesses their confidence level (0-10) in the NCAA’s ability to regulate NIL without Congressional oversight.
Donati: 4
Gene Smith: 4
Gino Toretta: N/A
Maddie Salamone: Reportedly Pled the 5th
Maddie Salamone, in her opening statement, called upon the Representatives to recognize an agenda from the NCAA: “Continual discussion about NIL, antitrust exemptions and even employment status of athletes are a distraction created by the NCAA and member schools and exacerbated by the media’s constant coverage of the topic.”
The full set of updates is available HERE.
ICYMI
Notre Dame QB Sam Hartman released a line of apparel through Homefield. LINK
Opendorse and The Collective Association announced a partnership that will benefit the members of TCA. LINK
Eight Ohio State players signed NIL deals with Chipotle through Learfield. LINK
7-Eleven launches the “Cleat Crew,” signing deals with nine college football athletes. 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!