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D1.dossiers... SIU Edwardsville is now available along with Cornell, Louisiana Monroe, Maine and Texas A&M-Commerce, among others. Ball State is next on the docket. $199 for unlimited access to all dossiers for one year. (HERE)
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Conference USA announces a new five-year media deal starting next year with ESPN & CBS Sports Network that will feature "most of its October league (football) games on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, with a handful of games also planned for Thursday and Friday nights." CBS also gets title games for FB, MBB, WBB, Softball & Baseball. Reports on annual payout per school range from $750K to $800K, "nearly double" the current amount for members. C-USA Commissioner MacLeod: "Obviously, revenue is important, but what kept coming up with our membership was exposure. How do we maximize our potential and move forward? … This is our chance to prove ourselves and then hopefully we’ll go back to the market (in five years) and increase our value." SBJ's Ourand & Smith broke the news, Octagon assisted on C-USA's side. (link, link)
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The College Football Playoff and the Rose Bowl are still negotiating how the "Granddaddy of Them All" will look in the new CFP format as Rose Bowl Management Committee Chair Farber says the game would like to maintain its exclusive broadcast window on January 1 at 2 PM PT in years that it would also host a semifinal game. Farber: "We continue to work with the CFP on this issue. We last spoke two weeks ago to the CFP, but have not heard back." CFP Executive Director Hancock indicates "nothing has changed" since then. A CFP source to ESPN's Dinich: "We have not decided anything about 2026 and beyond. Should the Rose Bowl tell us where to play our games? Most of us think not." More from Dinich. ESPN's Thamel calls the topic "one of the most prominent obstacles to early College Football Playoff expansion. The Rose Bowl has been divisive in the CFP room. The distribution of revenue remains unresolved as well." (link, link)
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LSU’s upset over Alabama on Saturday represents the cost college football will pay for expanding the College Football Playoff expansion, per The Athletic’s Wasserman, who explains: “Yes, that was a regular-season game. But it was essentially a playoff game, where the winner takes all. [...] Do we really want to tamper with the dramatic regular season this four-team field provides? To get all the benefits of expansion, you have to acknowledge that we’re taking away the magic from the big-time regular-season playoff games that already exist. … It is just odd that for all the cheering we get from everyone about how cool the expanded College Football Playoff is going to be, nobody is willing to stand up and talk about the cost of expansion: We’re handing out participation trophies to inferior teams and we’re watering down the regular season. And we aren’t even going to get new champions out of it. The same teams you’re bored of watching now are going to win the next version of the Playoff, too.” (link)
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In follow-up to the New York Times piece on the sexualization of NIL, Barstool Sports' McGuire remarks: "NYT told (LSU gymnast) Livvy Dunne they were doing an article on her and NIL then proceeded to make it some bizarre hit piece about how she is moving women's sports backward because her 'sexiness sells.'" Business of College Sports' Dosh chimed in: "I figured this was the case when I read it, because I couldn't imagine she'd agree to be part of that if she knew the angle." Further, attorney Heitner: "I got the same pitch re: Cavinder Twins. Glad they didn’t take the bait." (link)
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Arkansas Senior Assoc. AD for Athlete Brand Development and Inclusive Excellence Prentice joins AthleticDirectorU’s Garcia Cichosz to discuss the first year of NIL, including how athletic departments can staff for it, how it intertwines with DEI efforts and the importance of finding professional balance while working in the NIL space. Prentice explains there are three main areas of NIL that demand the most time on a daily basis: student-athlete development, compliance and external. “All three of those morph into one and you just try to be that central hub. It’s hard to know a lot of those things, but we’ve got a lot of great, smart people around the table to help us with that.” On how NIL positively contributes to DEI efforts, Prentice explains NIL is providing a gateway for those from underprivileged backgrounds. “Some of the things we’ve seen at the NIL Summit…I think that’s the essence and the core of what NIL is supposed to be, so we’ve seen it already begin to make an impact on the diversity and inclusion space.” Lots more from the full interview on AthleticDirectorU. (link)
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In this week’s HeadCoachU, D1.ticker’s Fischer and former BYU/Virginia FB HC Mendenhall catch up with former ECU FB HC/current NC State Special Assistant to the HC McNeill to discuss their time together at UVA, how to feel "dangerous" every day, McNeill's upbringing, issues impacting current players and modern recruiting. On feeling dangerous, McNeill explains: “The point is don’t let anything interfere with your achieving that achievement.” Mendenhall adds: “This isn’t a threat to anything other than adversity. … Dangerous means capable, means prepared and that means anything that gets in the way of that, any obstacle, that’s what ought to be worried. Ruff is building young people in a way for them to be capable and have capacity.” Mendenhall also discusses his philosophy on building organizations and says he “chooses not to work with anyone I don’t like. Meaning, one of the criteria to enter our organization as a player or as a coach is I have to like you. … I want a coaching staff and I want a team full of people that I want to be with, and I love them to death. But like is sometimes different than love.” Lots more. (link)
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It's Personnel...
+ CollegeAD indicates Texas State Assoc. AD for Development Bryant is headed down the road to be a part of Texas' campus advancement team. He is no longer listed on the Bobcats staff directory. (link)
+ More talent movement at Iowa State, Oklahoma, Evansville, Southern Indiana, Montana, UIC, Georgetown, New Mexico & Army West Point can be found on The Wire at Collegiate Sports Connect. (link)
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Extra Points' purveyor Brown digs into Utah Valley's future UCCU Soccer Stadium, the plans for which were announced in October. Capacity of 3K with 10 luxury suites that can accommodate up to 16 people, plaza seating and 400 chairbacks plus a "MLS level" press box. Utah Community Credit Union is funding a "major portion" of the $20M pricetag with its naming rights deal and the school is in the middle of a comprehensive fundraising campaign. Wolverines AD Sumsion explains the reason behind the endeavor, despite the current inflation and material costs/supply issues, "Per capita, there are more youth soccer players in Utah than anywhere in the country" and the men's and women's programs in Orem have averaged 1K+ fans per game and been ranked in the top-15 in attendance in recent years. Brown: "For some institutions, in some markets, with some fundraising capacity, going big on something other than football or basketball may very well make lots of sense." (link)
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Connect/MB Sports’ Banker is joined by A.T. Still Director of Athletic Training McLeod to discuss overuse injuries and sport specialization issues. McLeod explains the six best practices and guidelines NATA recently released to mitigate overuse injuries and athlete burnout, the impact of sport specialization at earlier ages, the advantages of avoiding specialization for as long as possible, what symptoms college coaches can look for that might be reflective of overuse or burnout by a college athlete, and the age benchmarks which correspond to the max number of hours per week athletes should be in training. McLeod also agrees DI’s current 20-hour per /week countable athletic activity limit is about right given the 18-22 year old age range of college athletes, the fact that many college teams don't use the full 20 hours and the likelihood that athletes aren't in full, high stress training for all 20 hours in a week. Lots more. (link)
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Legal Matters from Law360...
+ Former USC FB student-athlete Gee's widow in the Gee v NCAA trial yesterday told jurors how "horrible" it was seeing her husband's health decline and that "he tried so hard to stay alive." (link)
+ "An online sports retailer says the University of Illinois is trying to have its 'cake and eat it too' by publicly distancing the school from its former mascot, while still semi-secretly maintaining a 'small underground licensing program' to keep the school's control over the fictional Native American..." (link)
+ Former Yale Women's Soccer HC Meredith has been sentenced to five months for his role in the Varsity Blues scandal. (link) The Associated Press reports "In addition to the prison term, Meredith was sentenced to a year of probation, fined $19,000 and ordered to forfeit more than $550,000." (link)
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Also Noticed...
+ The "Brew City Battle" is Friday at the Milwaukee Brewers' American Family Field. Check out this time lapse video of how the facilities crew transformed the baseball diamond into a basketball court for Wisconsin MBB and WBB teams to each hold a game there. (link)
+ Adidas will still sell Yeezy-based designs, despite cutting ties with Ye in October. Adidas Finance Chief Ohlmeyer: "We own all the IP, we own all the designs, we own all the versions and new colorways, so it’s our IP, it’s our product." Yeezy brand products generated $1.7B in sales last year, approximately 8% of Adidas' revenue. Gap removed of his merchandise from its stores and Foot Locker pulled all Yeezy brand footwear from its brick-and-mortar stores last month. (link)
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Yesterday's Evening Standard...
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Toledo AD Blair pens a guest column for Sportico in which he contends the job of an FBS AD “has never been more complex. Things such as the upcoming findings of the NCAA transformation committee, the transfer portal, gambling legalization, College Football Playoff expansion, NCAA v. Alston and NIL all contribute to this changing landscape. That doesn’t even touch on the changes happening in higher education or more broadly in society as we attempt to recover from a pandemic, reconcile its lasting impacts and lead a workforce which is increasingly rejecting the workaholic culture that’s existed in athletics for decades.” Blair continues: “While these challenges and changes are contextual, most come back to resources and people. … If recruiting, retaining and developing coaches, staff and student-athletes is one of our largest keys to success, increasing the resources in the system improves those odds greatly.” More. (link)
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The Pac-12 is expected to finalize a media rights deal by the beginning of 2023, per CBS’ Dodd, who notes the league has reportedly sent out a "robust" proposal to ESPN and Amazon. However, Dodd notes the “biggest question for the Pac-12 remains: Who will see its games? For the first time, a Power 5 conference would be showing significant content on a stand-alone streaming service without a TV affiliation. It's possible that caused strong pushback from inside his conference when Big Ten [Commissioner] Warren kept advocating for adding California, Oregon, Stanford and Washington in expansion. Not only are those schools not worth the $75M per year Big Ten schools got in their new media rights deal, the likes of Purdue, Minnesota and Indiana pushed back against further expansion. They didn't want some of their games relegated to a still-emerging streaming platform.” If it were to move to a streaming platform, Dodd continues, the Pac-12 “would be betting on the future. Streaming is coming, big-time. Experts suggest it's going to replace linear TV. Just not yet.” (link)
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With “seagulls squawking in the San Diego skies above” the USS Abraham Lincoln, Gonzaga should be ready and willing to join the Big East, Big 12 or Pac-12, according to The Athletic’s O’Neil. As industry sources tell O'Neil: “The world right now, it’s not going to reward the status quo for a school like Gonzaga. I’m not sure the West Coast Conference will be able to deliver what the school needs. [...] Look, if UCLA and USC can join a league and go play all the way at Rutgers, anything is possible.” (link)
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New Orleans students rejected a proposed $300 semesterly student experience fee, which would have provided the Privateers with the with funding necessary to start football, women's soccer, women's golf and marching band, in addition to providing funds to other student activities, club and intramural sports, student retention, and diversity programs. UNO AD Duncan: “The students have spoken. Over two-thirds of the students who voted did not believe that they should assist in funding the start of a football team and other programs designed to improve the student experience and boost campus enrollment. I personally still believe there will be a day when Privateer Football will happen, and I look forward to the gratifying feeling of laying the foundation for that successful endeavor.” (link)
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South Alabama AD Erdmann issues a statement regarding concerns about the concession lines and transaction times at Hancock Whitney Stadium following USA’s FB matchup with Troy on October 20. Erdmann explains technical issues that caused delays at several point-of-sale registers have been addressed and should not experience the same issues. In addition, a member of the software company will be on hand for the November 12 game against Texas State to troubleshoot as needed. Additionally, moving forward, kiosks will be operated by at least two staffers rather than one, and USA will pay particular attention to ensure inventory doesn’t run out. Additionally, USA has invested in the required power and data cabling to ensure 30 points of sale will be available at the Mitchell Center heading into Hoops season. (link)
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Vanderbilt has announced the creation of the Ingram Center for Student-Athlete Success, which will be funded with part of a lead gift to the Vandy United campaign made by longtime supporter and Board of Trust member Ingram. The center will be dedicated to supporting student-athletes’ personal, academic and professional development. Commodores AD Lee: “The Ingram Center for Student-Athlete Success symbolizes the continued promise of the Vandy United campaign to give our student-athletes every opportunity to succeed. … Our student-athletes are incredible and deserve our very best. The Ingram Center is one tangible example of what ‘our very best’ looks like.” (link)
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Cincinnati Executive Senior Assoc. AD/Asst. VP for Principal Gifts Hatcher joins D1.ticker/Connect’s Eargle to discuss the Bearcats’ $100M Day One Ready fundraising initiative, UC’s new $4M FB locker room, the gift from former Bearcat/current Kansas City Chiefs TE Kelce that will support the Health and Wellness Campaign and endow the role of the Director of Sports Psychology. Hatcher also talks about the Bearcats’ strategies for driving revenue, her own career in marketing and fundraising and what advice she would give to women in the industry today. Full Q&A now available on Connect. (link); More on the “substantial contribution” from Kelce, which will ensure that “all UC student-athletes will have permanent access to the care and services needed to be mentally and physically strong, confident and resilient,” according to the university. (link)
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Another day, another key gift for Boise State as the Broncos receive an anonymous $1M contribution for "capital improvements, including the north end zone project." Boise AD Dickey: "Thank you Bronco Nation for investing in our Power 5 mentality. Your commitment helps us stay competitive and maintain an elite environment for our student-athletes to succeed." (link)
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Connecticut FB HC Mora is optimistic about the future of the program so long as the Huskies can secure the resources to continue building. He tells CT Insider he trusts in UConn AD Benedict’s vision, adding: “If this university wants to continue to build a good football program, then much more substantial and further investments are going to be necessary. And that is just a fact. If they are not made, then we will be what we are. A .500 team. I am not satisfied being a .500 team, I didn't come here to be a .500 coach." Mora continues: “Just being able to compete now, unfortunately, with a lot of the recruits that we are after, other teams can offer them money. David (Benedict) is doing a great job of trying to figure out the best way to get that done without throwing cash out the window. … I am hopeful that everyone understands that if they want to put the energy, effort and money into this program we can build something special. But if they don't, then it won't be special. So, we will see how it goes, that to me is really a big question that remains to be seen. I am being very frank right there. So far so good, but if anyone thinks it is enough, they are sadly mistaken." (link)
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Kentucky is listening to fans’ concerns about the Wildcats’ approach to NIL so far, and a “massive change” is now on the horizon, according to Kentucky Sports Radio’s Jones. During today’s SEC teleconference, UK FB HC Stoops emphasized the need for a sense of urgency to keep the Cats from falling behind. “I’ve been here a while and had to overcome a lot of things and this is another thing that you have to battle and compete and fight. It does me no good to whine or cry or complain about anybody else. I can’t control anybody else. But I can control our program and we’re doing the very best we can and yes, I think just like most people we need the support. We need more. We need to get this collective rolling or we’re gonna fall way behind in this league because you know and I know the way things are going with some others here in our league.” (link)
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More Coaches Wire...
+ As part of his extension, Missouri FB HC Drinkwitz's salary will increase from $4M to $6M next year with incremental raises each year through 2027, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Matter. (link)
+ Illinois OC Lunney has agreed to a contract extension through the 2025 season, per The Athletic’s Auerbach, who reports Lunney's base salary will increase to $800K for the 2023 season and $825K for 2024 and 2025 seasons. (link)
+ Notre Dame MBB HC Brey has had talks with Fighting Irish AD Swarbrick about an extension beyond 2024-25. (link)
+ Sacred Heart removes the interim tag from Men’s Soccer HC Anzevui. (link)
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TCU Coordinator of Creative Video Petrie talks with The Athletic’s Ubben about the Horned Frogs’ series of viral videos, which began with a sendoff of Crazy Frog, a “techno-inspired repurposing of the Beverly Hills Cop theme,” as Ubben describes it. Petrie’s video accompaniment included several memes interspersed with various frog videos of varying quality, and he explains: “What if I just took that song and combined a bunch of weird pictures of frogs and edit them together very weirdly with no rhyme or reason to it?” After TCU’s victory over Oklahoma State, Petrie added footage of the team celebrating in the locker room, and Horned Frogs Director of FB Creative Media Andrews says: “We kind of egged him on, and he kind of looked me like, ‘Really? You want to post this?’ I was like, ‘Screw it, why not? We just beat Oklahoma State. Let’s post it.’ And sure enough, it blew up.’” Andrews, who spent four seasons with FB HC Dykes at SMU in a similar role, credits Dykes with allowing the creative team to flex their muscles. “It makes my job and my team’s job super easy, because my team is super awesome and it gives us the flexibility to be creative and do things like these memes.” (link)
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The U.S. Department of Labor has a new proposed rule for independent contractors, adding four more conditions to consider for classification as 1099 vs. W-2. One is "how integral the work performed is to the business,” according to James Moore CPA Partner Davis, who observes it’s “curious how NIL Collectives will interpret this. Also, tax exempt NIL Collectives should be aware that IRS rules for excess benefit transactions apply to employees, but currently don't apply to independent contractors. Will the DOL throw a wrench into your well thought out plans?” (link)
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Deals, Deals, Deals...
+ Marshall agrees to a department-wide group licensing deal with The Brandr Group. (link)
+ The Patriot League inks an agreement naming Herff Jones as the league’s official and exclusive championship jeweler partner. (link)
+ The Big South taps Forward Progress for a partnership to analyze members’ academic data, provide education about the NCAA’s Academic-Based Revenue Distribution and improve their performance under key NCAA academic metrics. (link)
+ Binance will walk away from its initial offer to acquire FTX after conducting due diligence, explaining in a statement: “Our hope was to be able to support FTX’s customers to provide liquidity, but the issues are beyond our control or ability to help.” (link); Axios’ Primack reports the deal is off unless FTX.US is part of the package, adding: “If true, this is a self-poisoning pill.” (link)
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