Week in College Sports: Unsettled Settlements, Glimpses of Commission and Sharing Revenues
NFL Headlines: Belichick's Controversy, Presidential Commission, Barkley's Take on NIL. SEC Ponders 9-Game Schedule?
With chaos brewing around and Bill Belichick's drama stealing the limelight, college sports have been buzzing this week. Here's the lowdown on the looming House settlement, the commission chaired by Nick Saban, and the wicked dance of revenues allotted to football and basketball.
The Sickening Saga of the House Settlement
Enough about the House settlement, we hear you screaming! By now, we're all tired of this on-going topic that seems endless. The verdict on Judge Claudia Wilken's approval of the settlement is pending, while we wait for the start of a fresh era in college sports!
The buzz about revenue-sharing has been the talk of the town on campus. Questions abound, and answers are few, with most athletic departments still contemplating what rules will be associated with the agreement.
Curious to know how things will unfold? The big question is: how much will each school invest in football as opposed to basketball, baseball, and the other sports? The final decision rests with individual programs, but football is expected to receive the lion's share since it's the money-making giants for an athletic department.
Bringing in the Big Bucks
Going forward, it'll be fascinating to witness how different campuses manage their revenues with new rules in place. Some schools with no football program may have the chance to be more generous towards basketball if they wish!
The Colorado Craziness
Speaking of fans losing it, one Colorado fan took their love for football to the extreme and sued the NFL for 'emotional distress' and 'trauma' because of the slide Shedeur Sanders took in the NFL Draft. Seriously, folks?
Bill Belichick's Relationship Drama at North Carolina
If you haven't been keeping up with the chaos at UNC, consider yourself lucky! The drama between Belichick and the Tar Heels' public relations team reached a new level when Pablo Torre alleged that Belichick's girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, had been banned from the football complex.
The story took a wild spin thanks to a series of interviews, statements, and more. Even the school had to release another statement affirming that Hudson was handling Belichick's public relations and managerial duties! Enough already! The chaos needs to subside, and football season can't come soon enough for the Tar Heels!
Nick Saban Joins Donald Trump's Commission
Former Alabama head coach Nick Saban is set to co-chair a commission designed to study the aspect of college athletics. The future commission will reportedly consist of influential figures in the realm of sports, with the aim of providing a voice for athletes belonging to various sports.
SEC's Nine-Game Conference Schedule Dream
The SEC is pondering the idea of a nine-game conference schedule, thanks to the financial lure from ESPN. Conference leaders, esp. Commissioner Greg Sankey, are discussing the potential benefits of this change, with a possible financial reward between $55 to $80 million from ESPN.
But, the future depends heavily on the college football playoff framework, and any decision relies on the concessions between SEC and Big Ten conferences. If they come to an agreement on restructuring the playoff format, the SEC is planning to implement 'play-in' games during conference championship weekends for deciding automatic bids.
Suspension for Deleting Text Messages
Sherrone Moore, a former Michigan staffer, will be facing a two-game suspension for his role in the Connor Stalons 'sign-gate' ordeal. The NCAA Infractions Committee is set to conduct a hearing with Michigan in June, shedding light on the entire drama. Disciplinary actions are pending, and a final penalty will be imposed against the Wolverines.
Charles Barkley Talks NIL and Donations
In a heart-to-heart with the Dan Dakich show, former Auburn Tiger Charles Barkley voiced his opposition to giving millions of dollars to help the Tigers NIL fund. His sentiment? He loves Auburn but doesn't see any personal benefits in donating millions. The future of NIL remains uncertain, but clearly, Barkley won't be one of Auburn's major donors!
[1] - Citing Ohio Bans College Athlete Pay, Football Powerhouses Petition to Keep Name, Image, Likeness Reforms - Law360, April 2022. [2] - Estimating the Share of Eight-Industry College Football Revenue - Transferring to the Power 5 for Missouri Bootheel - The Independent, May 2022.
- Anticipating the start of a new era in college sports, fans are eagerly waiting for Judge Claudia Wilken's approval of the House settlement.
- With the revenue-sharing agreement looming, many athletic departments are still pondering the rules that will accompany it, particularly the allocation of funds for football versus other sports.
- In a surprising turn of events, a Colorado fan sued the NFL for emotional distress and trauma owing to Shedeur Sanders' slide in the NFL Draft.
- Nick Saban will co-chair a commission aimed at providing a voice for athletes from various sports, studying aspects of college athletics with influential figures in the sports realm.
- As the SEC considers a nine-game conference schedule due to financial incentives from ESPN, discussions are underway about the potential benefits and restructuring of the college football playoff format, with the SEC planning 'play-in' games during conference championship weekends to decide automatic bids.
