Wisconsin Pursuing Legal Action Against Former DB, CFP Board Meet to Discuss Future Changes, + ICYMI | Newsletter #304

Jan 23, 2025

Today’s Thursday newsletter includes highlights from this week, and important news from past weeks.

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

Recapping Major News This Week:

Despite Wisconsin’s refusal to let former DB Xavier Lucas enter into the transfer portal when he requested a transfer, Lucas was able to transfer to Miami - and skirt NCAA transfer rules - by not formally signing with Miami.
Lucas, a freshman this past season, requested a transfer after learning his father suffered a “serious, life-threatening illness” while home for the holidays. Wisconsin then refused to follow NCAA protocol requiring institutions to comply with a player’s transfer request by submitting his or her name to the portal within two business days.
However, it looks like Wisconsin will pursue legal action related to potential tampering between Lucas and the University of Miami. In a statement, Wisconsin suggested that they have “credible information indicating impermissible contact…. prior to Xavier’s request to enter the transfer portal.”
CLICK HERE to learn more.

The CFP board had their annual meeting of the FBS commissioners, presidents, and chancellors who control the playoff this past Sunday. According to CFP executive director Rich Clark, No major decisions were made regarding the future format of the 12-team College Football Playoff on Sunday, but "tweaks" to the 2025 season haven't been ruled out.
In order to implement changes for the 2025 season, Commissioners would have to unanimously agree upon any changes to the 12-team format. While this seems unlikely, it is not out of the question. However, no major changes (such as a change to the seeding process or a push for a 14-team bracket) are expected.
Any major changes to the current system will likely come after next season. Starting in 2026, changes will no longer require unanimous approval, and the Big Ten and the SEC will have the bulk of control over the format - a power that was granted during the past CFP contract negotiation.
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Inside a Big Ten Revenue Sharing Agreement - LINK
Vote to allow Montana high school athletes to profit off their NIL is approved - LINK
Nick Saban calls for NIL competitive balance - LINK
College athletes meet in Atlanta to discuss potential unionization - LINK

Dartmouth decided to unionize and be represented by Service Employees International Union Local 560 back in March. However, the union requested the withdrawal of its petition to the National Labor Relations Board seeking unionization for the team.
Michael McCann explains in his article for Sportico that “the union and the players, who were directly involved in this decision, faced two main areas of NLRB-related concerns which ultimately influenced their decision…. First, there is worry that President-elect Donald Trump will replace the current NLRB general counsel, Jennifer Abruzzo, with someone who is less likely to advocate for the recognition of college athletes as employees…. Second, the union and players understand that the agency’s five-person board is in flux and could become less favorable to Dartmouth athletes.”
While there is still a chance that Trump appoints individuals who are in favor of college athletes being considered employees - as he did when he appointed Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his first term - it is not certain that he will. As a result, the risk of losing their case, which would hinder other athletes from unionizing and seeking employment status, is greater than it was previously.
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!