Tag: NCAA

Jan 10, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; A sign at the entrance to the NCAA Hall of Champions and national office. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Division I Council cuts transfer portal windows to 30 total days

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The NCAA Division I Council voted Tuesday in favor of shortening the transfer portal windows for both football and basketball.

The timeframes in which athletes could enter the transfer portal had already been trimmed once from 60 to 45 days. Tuesday’s decision brought those windows down to a combined 30 days.

Eliminating the spring window for football had been under consideration, but the Division I Council opted to keep it for players eyeing a transfer after the results of spring practices.

Football players will have a 20-day window during the winter and a 10-day window in the spring. The dates for the 2024-25 offseason will be Dec. 9-28 and April 16-25. Athletes in the portal can commit to a new school at any time, not only when the portal is open for them to enter.

The men’s and women’s basketball transfer portal will open for 30 days starting the day after the end of the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Athletes will still be given the opportunity to transfer for 30 days when their original school’s head coach departs for any reason, starting the day the departure is announced.

The timeline modifications should help athletic programs better navigate the offseason after the advent of the free one-time transfer coupled with name, image and likeness rights made for unprecedented amounts of player movement.

More than 2,800 FBS scholarship players entered the transfer portal during 2023-24. The number of men’s basketball players to hit the portal in 2024 was around 2,000, some estimates found.

–Field Level Media

Sep 1, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Southern California Trojans former running back Reggie Bush attends the game against the LSU Tigers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Reggie Bush sues USC, Pac-12, NCAA over use of NIL

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Reggie Bush is suing the University of Southern California, the Pac-12 Conference and the NCAA for compensation for the use of his name, image and likeness while he was a college athlete.

“This case is not just about seeking justice for Reggie Bush,” Evan Selik, one of the attorneys representing Bush, said in a statement Monday. “It’s about setting a precedent for the fair treatment of all college athletes. Our goal is to rectify this injustice and pave the way for a system where athletes are rightfully recognized, compensated and treated fairly for their contributions.”

The filing claims that USC, the conference and the NCAA financially benefited from Bush’s “significant popularity” and “prominence” during and after his time with the Trojans’ football program, with whom he won the 2004 BCS national championship and the 2005 Heisman Trophy.

Bush notably forfeited his Heisman in 2010 amid reports that the Heisman Trust would revoke it after USC was hit with major NCAA sanctions because Bush and his family received improper financial benefits during his time there.

With athletes now allowed to capitalize on their NIL rights, Bush asked for the award to be reinstated. The Heisman Trust obliged this past April, acknowledging the “enormous changes” to the world of college football.

Bush has not been associated with USC for most of the time between the sanctions and the present day. He was on the sideline for the Trojans’ season-opening win over LSU in Las Vegas.

“We appreciate that the new administration at USC is trying to pick up the pieces of the former administrations’ unjust and improper handling of Reggie Bush,” said Levi G. McCathern II, another one of Bush’s attorneys. “However, the delay in fixing this speaks volumes.”

–Field Level Media

Jun 4, 2024; Eugene, OR, USA; A NCAA logo flag at Hayward Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: NCAA looks at cutting spring portal window for football

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The NCAA Football Oversight Committee proposed the elimination of the spring transfer portal window to the Division I council this week, Yahoo Sports and The Athletic reported Friday.

At present, Division I football players can enter the transfer portal in two different windows during the year: a 30-day period after the conference championship games are played, as well as April 16-30, which fall in line with spring practices. The April window is what’s on the chopping block.

Players do not need to commit to their new school during those windows. Those dates are merely when the athletes are able to enter the portal.

The Power 4 conferences and the American Football Coaches Association support the move to get rid of the April window, Yahoo reported.

The idea comes amid the settlement of the House v. NCAA court case that would impose 105-player scholarship limits in football and eliminate walk-ons starting in 2025-26.

The DI Council could vote on the recommendation to eliminate the spring portal window during meetings this fall.

–Field Level Media

The SEC logo in the hallway at the Hilton Sandestin in Destin, Fla. on Tuesday May 31, 2022 at the annual SEC spring meetings.

Report: Power 5, NCAA reach historic agreement to pay players

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The SEC and Pac-12 joined the three other power conferences – the Big Ten, ACC and Big 12 – and the NCAA in agreeing on a multi-billion-dollar settlement that would allow schools to directly pay student-athletes for the first time in NCAA history, ESPN reported on Thursday.

“The five autonomy conferences and the NCAA agreeing to settlement terms is an important step in the continuing reform of college sports that will provide benefits to student-athletes and provide clarity in college athletics across all divisions for years to come,” NCAA president Charlie Baker and the five power conference commissioners said in a joint statement Thursday evening.

With the NCAA’s board agreeing to the terms of the settlement — which would also resolve three federal antitrust cases — former college athletes are one step closer to getting over $2.7 billion in back damages over the next decade because of previous restrictions on name, image and likeness (NIL) deals.

Future athletes also would benefit, as the Big 12, Atlantic Coast Conference and Big Ten — three of the defendants in the case — are hoping to put a system in place that would give schools the power to pay them about $20 million per year in permissive revenue sharing.

Such payments wouldn’t start until fall of 2025.

The ACC and Big 12 accepted the terms of the settlement on Tuesday. The Big Ten joined in on Wednesday.

Per the terms of the agreement, athletes won’t be able to sue the NCAA in future antitrust lawsuits and must drop their complaints in three current lawsuits: Carter v. NCAA, Hubbard v. NCAA and House v. NCAA.

Former Colorado football player Alex Fontenot’s lawsuit against the NCAA is not included in this pending settlement. Fontenot’s suit is regarding how the NCAA shares TV revenues with players.

The settlement is not yet official as it requires the approval of U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken, who is presiding over the three antitrust cases. Also, if players choose to join Fontenot’s lawsuit, the settlement agreed on by the NCAA and Power 5 could be rendered null and void.

–Field Level Media

Nov 11, 2023; College Station, Texas, USA; A detailed view of the SEC logo on a chain marker during the game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

Report: NCAA agrees to settlement in House v. NCAA

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Former college athletes are due for a payday after the NCAA Board of Governors voted to agree to settle House v. NCAA and other antitrust cases related to it, ESPN reported Wednesday.

With the NCAA’s board agreeing to the terms of the settlement, former college athletes are one step closer to getting over $2.7 billion in back damages over the next decade because of previous restrictions on Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deals.

Future athletes would also benefit, as the Big 12, Atlantic Coast Conference and Big Ten — three of the defendants in the case — are hoping to put a system in place that would give schools the power to pay them about $20 million per year in permissive revenue sharing.

Such payments wouldn’t start until fall of 2025.

The ACC and Big 12 had already accepted the terms of the settlement, doing so on Tuesday. The Big Ten joined in on Wednesday, and now the Southeastern Conference and Pac-12 just need to submit their approval.

Both the SEC and Pac-12 are expected to approve the terms later this week, per ESPN’s report.

It is expected that a settlement will officially be reached, and if that were the case, the schools and the NCAA would avoid going to court, where they could have had to pay over $4 billion in damages if they lost.

Per ESPN’s report, the plaintiffs in the case could also dismiss two other antitrust cases against the NCAA that are currently pending and could possibly add billions of dollars in damages to the association’s plate.

–Field Level Media

Sep 4, 2021; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; A detailed view of the ACC logo on the down marker used during the game between William & Mary Tribe and the Virginia Cavaliers at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports

Report: ACC teams up with Big 12 in House vs. NCAA case

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Atlantic Coast Conference will be working alongside the Big 12 in House v. NCAA, and it will vote to settle that case in addition to other antitrust cases related to it, ESPN reported Tuesday.

A settlement is expected to pass, which would create a framework that would allow schools to give millions of dollars to athletes in the future. Former athletes who couldn’t sign Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deals would also have access to a fund of over $2.7 billion.

There will be four more votes this week, with three coming from Power Five conferences and the other coming from the NCAA board of governors.

Presidents of ACC schools voted in-person in Charlotte on Tuesday, the same day that presidents and chancellors of Big 12 universities met virtually to vote. Texas and Oklahoma, the departing members of the Big 12, stayed away from that vote, which resulted in unanimous approval.

ESPN’s report indicated that conferences are putting forth little resistance to the settlement, and the NCAA is also in the same boat.

The Pac-12 will be voting as a 12-team conference, the way it was when the House v. NCAA case was filed.

As part of the settlement, the NCAA would have to pay over $2.7 billion in back damages over a decade. About $1.6 billion of that won’t be given to the schools.

Schools are trying to settle to avoid things spiraling further out of control in the future, something that legal experts foresee happening because of the NCAA’s poor track record in court cases, per ESPN’s report.

–Field Level Media

Jan 7, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; A helmet with the College Football Playoff logo at the CFP National Championship Head Coaches press conference at JW Marriot Houston by the Galleria. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Report: NIL antitrust case vs. NCAA may be settled in near future

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The antitrust class action lawsuit levied against the NCAA may not go to trial as college sports leaders are in talks to settle, per an ESPN report on Monday.

The plaintiffs in the case, House vs. NCAA, have accused the NCAA and its power conferences of breaking federal law by limiting how athletes can benefit from selling their name, image or likeness.

If the case were to go to trial – set for January 2025 — and the plaintiffs win, the NCAA and its schools could have to shell out more than $4 billion in damages.

NCAA president Charlie Baker, NCAA lawyers, the plaintiffs’ attorneys have been meeting with the power conference commissioners and their general counsels in the Dallas area, with talks ramping up of late, per the report.

Per the report, more information regarding a possible settlement is expected to be released soon, though no deal is close to completion. The settlement – which could cost the NCAA billions in back pay for former athletes — could be the foundation for the NCAA sharing revenue with athletes in the future.

Although it has not been settled, the top-end revenue share amount per school would be around $20 million every year.

Another issue the NCAA faces is college athletes aiming to be viewed as employees and allowing them to unionize, with the National Labor Relations Board reviewing a pair of cases.

While NCAA leaders are against athletes becoming employees, Baker has looked into methods to provide more revenue to athletes at some schools. In December, he proposed a subdivision of the richest programs to pay $30,000 per year to half their athletes or more.

The NCAA wants Congress to enact a clause specifying that college athletes aren’t employees, but there hasn’t been much progress on that front. A multi-billion settlement toward revenue sharing with athletes may lead Congress to help govern college sports.

–Field Level Media

Jim Harbaugh looks on during Michigan's national championship celebration.

Michigan agrees to 3-year probation for recruiting violations

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Michigan will serve three years of probation after reaching an agreement with the NCAA over recruiting violations and coaching activities by noncoaching staff members, the NCAA announced Tuesday.

Michigan will face recruiting restrictions and pay a fine in relation to violations from five current or former football employees.

The penalties include a one-year show-cause order for all five individuals.

“Today’s joint resolution pertains to the University of Michigan Athletic Department and several former and current employees,” Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said in a statement. “We are pleased to reach a resolution on this matter so that our student-athletes and our football program can move forward. We have no additional information and cannot comment further on other aspects of the NCAA’s inquiries.”

The NCAA said that former coach Jim Harbaugh — who guided the team to the College Football Playoff title in January — isn’t part in the agreement.

“The agreed-upon violations involve impermissible in-person recruiting contacts during a COVID-19 dead period, impermissible tryouts, and the program exceeding the number of allowed countable coaches when noncoaching staff members engaged in on- and off-field coaching activities (including providing technical and tactical skills instruction to student-athletes),” the NCAA said in a statement.

“The negotiated resolution also involved the school’s agreement that the underlying violations demonstrated a head coach responsibility violation and the former football head coach failed to meet his responsibility to cooperate with the investigation. The school also agreed that it failed to deter and detect the impermissible recruiting contacts and did not ensure that the football program adhered to rules for noncoaching staff members.”

Harbaugh is now the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers.

“I filed a lengthy response to the (Notice of Allegations) on behalf of Coach Harbaugh, which unfortunately hasn’t been made public and will probably never see the light of day,” Tom Mars, Harbaugh’s attorney, told ESPN. “That concluded Coach Harbaugh’s participation in the case.”

Harbaugh served a three-game suspension at the beginning of the 2023 season after the NCAA felt he made false statements during the investigation. Then-offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore served a one-game suspension. Moore is now the Wolverines’ head coach.

Tuesday’s developments are unrelated to the Michigan sign-stealing investigation. That case is ongoing. Harbaugh also served a three-game suspension in that case.

–Field Level Media

Inside NCAA Headquarters located in Indianapolis on Friday, March 10, 2023. Ncaa President Charlie Baker

NCAA ‘drawing line’ on gambling, wants player prop bets banned

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The NCAA wants states to ban player prop bets in college sports to protect both athletes and the “integrity of the game,” president Charlie Baker said Wednesday.

“Sports betting issues are on the rise across the country with prop bets continuing to threaten the integrity of competition and leading to student-athletes and professional athletes getting harassed,” Baker said. “The NCAA has been working with states to deal with these threats and many are responding by banning college prop bets.”

Last week, Cleveland Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff told reporters he had been threatened by gamblers last season.

“They got my telephone number and were sending me crazy messages about where I live and my kids and all that stuff,” Bickerstaff said. “So it is a dangerous game and a fine line that we’re walking for sure.”

Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton said recently that gamblers reach out to him directly on social media about prop bets, which involve the performance of individual players and not the team.

“To half the world, I’m just helping them make money on DraftKings or whatever,” he said. “I’m a prop.”

And Baker said that isn’t right.

“This week we will be contacting officials across the country in states that still allow these bets and ask them to join Ohio, Vermont, Maryland and many others and remove college prop bets from all betting markets,” Baker said. “The NCAA is drawing the line on sports betting to protect student-athletes and to protect the integrity of the game.”

Wagering on college sports is a multi-billion industry. The American Gaming Association issued its projection last week that said Americans will legally bet $2.72 billion on the 2024 men’s and women’s NCAA tournaments, equivalent to just 2.2 percent of the total amount of money legally wagered on sports in the U.S. in 2023.

–Field Level Media

Mason senior Vaughn Johnson signs to play football for Miami (Ohio). Mason High School celebrated 35 seniors signing national letters of intent Feb. 7. 2024.

Early football signing period moving to early December

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The early signing period for Division I-bound high school football players will move to early December, the Collegiate Commissioners Association announced Thursday.

The change takes effect this fall, and the signing period will begin on the Wednesday after the final FBS regular-season game and before conference title games. It will last three days, though most players sign on the first day.

The early signing period has been the week before Christmas since it was added to the recruiting calendar in 2017. The regular signing period will remain as is, opening the first Wednesday in February and running through April 1.

The move is being made, in part, to clear up a crowded late-December calendar for coaches who are preparing for bowl games. It also will put some separation between the signing period and the opening of the transfer portal, allowing coaches to put their concentration solely on high school athletes in that time span.

“The CCA supports providing high school and two-year college prospective student-athletes with the opportunity to sign (national letters of intent) before coaches turn their focus to four-year transfers during the opening of the Division I transfer window in December,” the organization said.

The group tabled, for now, consideration of another signing period that could begin in June 2025. A decision on whether to add a summer signing period is expected to be made no later than June of this year.

Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz said before his team’s appearance in the Cotton Bow at the end of last season that the NCAA recruiting calendar needed to change.

“There’s no way possible for us to have a 12-team playoff next year, and be recruiting in an open period, and have transfer-portal additions and subtraction going on and be preparing for a game,” Drinkwitz said. “It’s just not possible.”

–Field Level Media