UConn Wins NCAA Women's National Championship, The House Hearing is Finally Upon Us, & More | Newsletter #317
Welcome to the NIL Newsletter by Optimum Sports Consulting - providing valuable, actionable NIL resources for athletes, administrators, agencies and other sport professionals.
Keep up to date on all of our newsletters and content by checking out past Optimum Sports Consulting Newsletters, and following us on Twitter!
This Monday Newsletter includes:
1. UConn Wins 2025 NCAA Womens National Championship
2. The April 7 House Settlement Hearing is Finally Here
3. What’s coming up in the world of NIL
4. Legal Updates: Former LSU Football Player Files Lawsuit Against LSU
5. News/tips for administrators, student athletes and agencies
Major News
UConn 2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball National Champions
The #2 Seed UConn Huskies defeated the #1 Seed South Carolina Gamecocks 82-59.
Head Coach Geno Auriemma now has won 12 Women’s National Titles for UConn. Not only does Auriemma have the most National Championships in Women’s College Basketball History, but also the most wins in the sport’s history.
UConn super-star Paige Bueckers now has her first NCAA championship and is expected to be the number 1 overall pick in the WNBA Draft on April 14th.
On there way to a National Championship, the Huskies defeated three #1 seeds, becoming just the fourth team to ever do so.
CLICK HERE to learn more.
The April 7 House Settlement Hearing is Finally Here
This afternoon in the Northern District of California, Judge Claudia Wilken is set to evaluate the proposed House settlement agreement. Judge Wilken cannot amend the proposed deal, but can only approve or reject the proposal as it is.
Judge Wilken will hear several objections raised from LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne, Utah swimmer Gannon Flynn, former University of Washington Football player Ben Burr-Kirven, and current high school athlete Gracelynn Laudermilch.
There have been sixteen formal objections made, with some of the objections concerning the revenue-sharing limit, gender equity and Title IX, roster limits, lack of input from affected athletes, and on the backpay distribution.
If Judge Wilken rejects the proposal, the case would go to trial and the parties will have to continue to fight it out. If the NCAA loses, they could be ordered to pay triple the damages and potentially bankrupt the NCAA.
While the hearing is set for today, it is almost certain that today will not be the end of this saga. More litigation will follow.
CLICK HERE to learn more.
Other Notable Stories to Follow
2025 Men’s NCAA Final Four draws the highest viewership since 2017. - LINK
2025 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four is set for April 10 with Western Michigan facing off against Denver and Boston University facing off against Penn State. - LINK
Oklahoma State’s Football Coach Mike Gundy questions the NCAA’s enforcement ability over joint spring practices between programs. - LINK
Coastal Carolina Football offering free concessions for every home game for ticket-purchasing fans. - LINK
Cedric Dempsey, former NCAA President and Arizona Athletic Director passed away at the age of 92. - LINK
What’s Coming Up Next For NIL
PICTURE
April 7, 2025 | House Settlement Hearing
April 8, 2025 | Congressional hearing will take place titled “Game Changer: the NLRB, Student-Athletes, and the Future of College Sports” before the House subcommittee on health, employment, labor and pensions.
April 9, 2025 | College Sports leaders will visit Capitol Hill for College Sports Day
Legal Updates
Former LSU Football Player Sues LSU over Delayed Brain Tumor Diagnosis and Brain Surgery
Greg Brooks Jr. filed a lawsuit against LSU, claiming they ignored nuerological symptoms and used an unqualified surgeon, resulting in his permanent disability.
The lawsuit focuses on medical negligence rather than a sport-related injury
Allegedly, LSU coaches and trainers pressured Brooks to play despite complaints of symptoms.
Brooks claims that LSU delayed an MRI for over a month and only acted after his condition severly worsened.
Following the surgery, Brooks claims LSU used Brooks’ Name, Image, & Likeness for fundraising and publicity without his or his family’s consent.
CLICK HERE to learn more.
Duke Basketball Player, Khaman Maluach, Impacted by the State Departments Ruling on South Sudan
Khaman Maluach, a Freshamn Duke Basketball Player, was born in South Sudan and committed to play for the Blue Devils in March of 2024.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the State Department is taking serious actions to revoke all visas held by South Sudanese passport holders.
Maluach, who just finished his true-freshman season at Duke, played for the NBA Academy Africa and even helped his home country qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed that the decision to impact those with U.S. visas in a South Sudanese passport and those with a South Sudanese passport who are applying for U.S. visas was made due to the “failure of South Sudan’s transitional government to accept the return of its repatriated citizens in a timely manner.”
Further information regarding these affects are likely to come soon.
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
Kentucky Basketball Player, Amari Williams, inks a deal for his picture on a “Weetabix” box. - LINK
West Virginia Head Football Coach bans Tik-Tok for his players (at least during or around practice) - LINK
Tip of the Week: X
When doubt starts to creep in, take a moment to realign with your purpose, revisit your vision, and remember why you started. Your dreams weren’t given to you by accident—stay focused, block out the negativity, and keep moving forward with confidence and clarity.
FOR ADMINS
Notes for the Week
Deion Sanders lands 5-year $54 Million contract extension to say with University of Colorado - LINK
SEC Presidents and Chancellors pay close attention to how Title IX regulation will tie into the revenue sharing - LINK
Tip of the Week: X
Be honest and transparent with your athletes—offer constructive feedback and address concerns directly. More often than not, that’s exactly what they want and need to hear to grow, improve, and trust in your leadership.
FOR AGENCIES
Notes for the Week
Comedian and Social Media personality Druski launches 4Lifers Sports Agency - LINK
Tennis Star Naomi Osaka has left IMG to start her own agency with Stuart Duguid called EVOLVE - 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!