College sports

[Vrede too]

So it's that time of year when it's inevitable to paraphrase Kenny Rogers...

"Don't fall in love with the TarHeels,
'Cause they'll break you every time
Oh put out the light and just hold on
The Fat Lady sings tonight."

Here's the original, if you like - it's a good song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7d6F9jDVhKQ

Washington State, Oregon State take another legal step against outgoing Pac-12 schools, commissioner

Oregon State and Washington State have taken the next step in their legal fight over governance of the Pac-12’s millions of dollars in assets.

The two remaining members of the conference filed a motion for preliminary injunction in their court battle against the 10 outgoing Pac-12 schools and commissioner George Kliavkoff. The motion, filed Wednesday morning in Whitman County (Washington) Superior Court, seeks an order stipulating that Washington State and Oregon State be the only voting members of the Pac-12 Board of Directors until a final judgment in the case is rendered.

As part of the motion, the two schools produced dozens of pages of documents through discovery that support their claim: that members who have withdrawn from the league lose their voting representation on the board. The claim, at the center of the case, is imperative to control of what is believed to be more than $100 million in assets coming to the conference....

For now, many legal experts believe that the Pac-12’s assets can be retained by the two schools at least in the short term if they preserve the league. OSU and WSU are preparing to operate as a two-school conference for at least next year, even assembling a schedule for the 2024 football season that is akin to an independent school’s schedule. They are in discussion with the Mountain West over a scheduling alliance to complete a 12-game slate....

Looks like a strong case to law and rules-ignorant me. Good for them, no votes for TRAITORS.

[billy.pilgrim]

The unveiling

https://youtu.be/baQpbTkZvq8?feature=shared

[Vrede too]

The unveiling

https://youtu.be/baQpbTkZvq8?feature=shared

Congrats?

NAACP asks Black student-athletes to reconsider Florida colleges

The NAACP asked Black student-athletes to reconsider their decisions to attend public colleges and universities in the state of Florida, in response to the University of Florida and other state schools recently eliminating their diversity, equity and inclusion programs....

Last year, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill that prohibits the use of state funds for any DEI programs. As a result, the University of Florida announced on March 1 it had closed the Office of the Chief Diversity Officer, eliminated 13 full-time DEI positions and 15 administrative appointments and halted DEI-focused contracts with outside vendors.

Other in-state schools, such as North Florida and Florida International, have also recently shuttered DEI programs.

NFL Hall of Famer and Florida great Emmitt Smith also spoke out, voicing his disgust at UF's decision and asking minority athletes at UF to "be aware and vocal" about the decision....

Good for the ACC, SEC and some mid-majors.

[billy.pilgrim]

In other good news for Auburn (I think), We have gone over to Nike, thanks to Bo and Tim.

[Vrede too]

, just like FSU:

Clemson files lawsuit against ACC over 'exorbitant' exit fees

Key element, IMO:

... In a statement later Tuesday, ACC commissioner Jim Phillips and board of directors chair Jim Ryan maintained their belief that the courts will uphold the agreement between the conference and its members.

"Clemson, along with all ACC members, voluntarily signed and re-signed the 2013 and 2016 Grant of Rights, which is binding through 2036," the statement read. "In addition, Clemson agreed to the process and procedures for withdrawal. The Conference's legal counsel will vigorously enforce the agreement and bylaws in the best interests of the ACC's current and incoming members." ...

[Vrede too]

Fascinating, and tragic if true:

‘The Death of College Sports Will Be Fast and Furious:’ The Scandal That Could Kill the NCAA

[billy.pilgrim]

Tuscaloosa, the town where sportsmanship went to die.

Kirby and nick stole our signs in 2010. We figured it out just before the half and during halftime completely changed our signs, erased their 3 touchdown lead to win the sec championship.


https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2 ... -stealing/

Typical win at any costs Bama.

[Vrede too]

NCAA: 1 in 3 star athletes receive abuse, threats by bettors

One in three high-profile athletes receive abusive messages from individuals with a "betting interest," and more than 540 men's and women's college basketball players received similar abuse, including death threats, during championship tournaments in March, the NCAA said in a release Friday.

The NCAA looked at athletes participating in sports that attract the most betting interest -- football and basketball, among others -- and found that online abuse is widespread. Signify, an artificial intelligence company and NCAA partner, covered 1,000 Division I men's and women's college basketball players, 64 teams, more than 200 coaches and 120 NCAA game officials during March Madness. The analysis, which is part of an NCAA initiative aimed at combating online abuse and harassment, found 4,000 posts or comments that were confirmed to be abusive or threatening during March Madness.

The NCAA said the data showed women's basketball players received approximately three times more overall threats than men's players and that 15-25% of abuse directed at players, coaches and officials who are involved in the most popular college sports was related to betting.

Surprising, and Misogyny? Cowards.

... The data released coincides with the NCAA's efforts to ban sportsbooks from offering prop betting on college players. Prop betting includes wagers such as the over/under on a player's points or rebounds. Ohio, Louisiana, Maryland and Vermont have passed recent legislation banning prop betting on college players, and more states are considering the issue.

Joe Brennan, a longtime internet gaming consultant and now executive director for online sportsbook Prime Sports, believes the NCAA is looking at the issue "from the wrong end of the telescope."

"This is a social media problem first and foremost," Brennan said. "The NCAA demanding the banning of college player props is a distraction from the root causes and likely solutions. Abusive speech towards teams and players is a sad reality in competitive sports. ... It's unfortunate that sports betting has now also become another subject in this, but it certainly didn't start it."

, but it sucks. At least save it for pro players.

[Vrede too]

NCAA, Power Five conferences vote to approve $2.8B settlement in House, Hubbard and Carter cases

... in a landmark agreement that will transform the course of major college athletics, the organization left behind its archaic rules, shook off its long-time amateurism argument and thrust the industry into an era of direct athlete compensation.

The amount: more than $15 billion in new cash is expected to funnel to athletes over the duration of the 10-year agreement.

The NCAA and power conferences cast votes this week in support of settling three antitrust cases (House, Hubbard and Carter), approving terms that feature nearly $2.8 billion in back damages; a future athlete revenue-sharing model that will cost major conferences a cumulative $1 billion-plus annually; and other potential changes to the association’s governance, enforcement and scholarship structure....

Lotsa caveats and complications discussed. We'll see how it all shakes out.

[Vrede too]

Or how's this - there are 11 teams in the Mountain West. Dump Air Force, Wyoming, and Utah State and everybody else join the Pac-12. MW teams get an upgrade to a Power 5, and the original Pac-12 schools are new leaders in their conference.

Gettin' there:
https://www.espn.com/college-football/s ... oin-pac-12

Four schools are set to announce Thursday they will depart the Mountain West Conference to join the Pac-12, sources confirmed to ESPN.

The Pac-12 Board of Directors unanimously approved applications from Boise State, Colorado State, San Diego State and Fresno State for membership to begin in the 2026-27 academic year, sources said.

They would join Oregon State and Washington State, the conference's two remaining school following the league's collapse last summer.

Mountain West bylaws require departing schools to pay an exit fee of roughly $18 million with two years' notice, which is what the four schools expect to pay, a source said. (That number would jump to $36 million with one years' notice.) ...

Looks like they'll get help with that from the pot of money the Pac-12 traitors were forced to leave behind by the courts.

[Jasmine]

The future of the Mountain West looks really bleak, but this wasn’t unexpected. I highly doubt Hawaii has a chance to get into the PAC-12. We don’t really have a viable stadium, and then there are the travel costs. The fear among Hawaii fans is that Hawaii, after everything shakes out, may be forced to go the independent route or even drop to the FCS level.

I think we are heading toward a mega 64-school power league (set up like the NFL with different divisions).

[Vrede too]

The future of the Mountain West looks really bleak, but this wasn’t unexpected. I highly doubt Hawaii has a chance to get into the PAC-12. We don’t really have a viable stadium, and then there are the travel costs. The fear among Hawaii fans is that Hawaii, after everything shakes out, may be forced to go the independent route or even drop to the FCS level.

I think we are heading toward a mega 64-school power league (set up like the NFL with different divisions).

I can see Independent, but what FCS schools will have the money for travel to HI? Maybe if you throw in nighttime swims with manta rays.

[Jasmine]

The future of the Mountain West looks really bleak, but this wasn’t unexpected. I highly doubt Hawaii has a chance to get into the PAC-12. We don’t really have a viable stadium, and then there are the travel costs. The fear among Hawaii fans is that Hawaii, after everything shakes out, may be forced to go the independent route or even drop to the FCS level.

I think we are heading toward a mega 64-school power league (set up like the NFL with different divisions).

I can see Independent, but what FCS schools will have the money for travel to HI? Maybe if you throw in nighttime swims with manta rays.

Well, we did host Delaware State to open the season, but I see your point. Going the FCS route probably wouldn’t work.

Hard times, for sure. Hard to believe that we went to the Sugar Bowl less than 20 years ago. We’ve fallen so far.

[Vrede too]

Well, we did host Delaware State to open the season, but I see your point. Going the FCS route probably wouldn’t work.

Hard times, for sure. Hard to believe that we went to the Sugar Bowl less than 20 years ago. We’ve fallen so far.

I remember a killer passing game for a few years there. Maybe the PAC-12 will somehow work out for you or the MWAC remnants will attract some teams. Losing BSU and SDSU hurts, though.

[Vrede too]

Another defection:

Utah St. accepts invite to become 7th member of rebuilding Pac-12

I never visited but I've heard nice things about Logan.

... Utah State's reported acceptance would make it the fifth school from the Mountain West to join Oregon State and Washington State in the rebuilding Pac-12. Utah State would join Boise State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Colorado State, who have announced they are going to the league....

Sources: UNLV exploring options after Utah State joins Pac-12

UNLV is expected to reengage in conversations with the Pac-12 after its commitment to the Mountain West earlier in the day was not formalized, sources told ESPN on Monday evening....

UNLV would be a real prize for the Pac-12.

With Utah State leaving and UNLV exploring options, the Mountain West is left with commitments from six schools for the 2026 football season: Air Force, Hawai'i, New Mexico, Nevada, San Jose State and Wyoming. The conference will need to add at least two more football-playing schools by 2028 to abide by NCAA rules....

Do football recruits get assessed for their ability to play musical chairs?

[Jasmine]

Another defection:

Utah St. accepts invite to become 7th member of rebuilding Pac-12

I never visited but I've heard nice things about Logan.

... Utah State's reported acceptance would make it the fifth school from the Mountain West to join Oregon State and Washington State in the rebuilding Pac-12. Utah State would join Boise State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Colorado State, who have announced they are going to the league....

Sources: UNLV exploring options after Utah State joins Pac-12

UNLV is expected to reengage in conversations with the Pac-12 after its commitment to the Mountain West earlier in the day was not formalized, sources told ESPN on Monday evening....

UNLV would be a real prize for the Pac-12.

With Utah State leaving and UNLV exploring options, the Mountain West is left with commitments from six schools for the 2026 football season: Air Force, Hawai'i, New Mexico, Nevada, San Jose State and Wyoming. The conference will need to add at least two more football-playing schools by 2028 to abide by NCAA rules....

Do football recruits get assessed for their ability to play musical chairs?

I have no idea what’s going to happen to the MW. But most fans here think this is all bad news for Hawaii.

[Vrede too]

I have no idea what’s going to happen to the MW. But most fans here think this is all bad news for Hawaii.

Maybe a couple of Big Sky and/or MVFC teams can be enticed to make the jump from FCS to FBS?

[Vrede too]

7:30 PM ET ESPN
GO @Temple > Army (-12.5 )

I have no idea what’s going to happen to the MW. But most fans here think this is all bad news for Hawaii.

There's some good news for you:

Sources: UNLV, Air Force to remain in MWC with financial incentives

... Both schools were incentivized to stay with significant financial packages made possible, in part, by the collective exit fees the conference's five departing members -- Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State -- will be responsible paying for leaving for the Pac-12. Each school is expected to pay roughly $18 million to depart.

UNLV chose to remain in the Mountain West despite overtures from the Pac-12

I was rooting for the Pac-12.

while Air Force received heavy interest from the American Athletic Conference. With both pledges, the Mountain West stands at seven football-playing members and will need to add two more full members to meet the NCAA minimum criteria (Hawaii is only a partial member).

What's up with that?

The decision from UNLV is a blow to the Pac-12, which was optimistic the Rebels would join the five other MWC schools in the new-look conference as it rebuilds from last year's collapse. The Pac-12 is left with seven members and will likely have to turn its attention outside the Mountain West as the rest of the conference's schools -- Hawai'i, New Mexico, Nevada, San Jose State and Wyoming - are expected to sign binding agreements to stay in the conference on Thursday.

... On Monday, UNLV and Air Force both reaffirmed their commitment to the Mountain West but softened that stance the same day in the wake of Utah State's decision to leave in a whirlwind day for college realignment that also saw Memphis, Tulane, South Florida and UTSA all pass on offers to join the Pac-12 to remain in the AAC....

What part of "PAC" is unclear to these people?

Somewhat related: UNLV football is a mess -

Matthew Sluka's NIL dispute with UNLV hinges on verbal offer

UNLV quarterback Matthew Sluka left the undefeated Rebels on Tuesday night over claims of unfulfilled verbal NIL promises from a UNLV assistant coach, a decision that illuminates the fragility of the current collegiate system and how talent is procured and retained.

Sluka's agent, Marcus Cromartie, told ESPN that UNLV didn't come through on a verbal offer of $100,000 from an assistant coach. The quarterback's father, Bob Sluka, told ESPN that head coach Barry Odom later said in a phone conversation the offer wasn't valid because it didn't come from him, but rather from offensive coordinator Brennan Marion, who declined to comment to ESPN....

I'm not taking sides, but UNLV's 3-0 start may have just gone into the toilet.

[O Really]

The kid may be right, but I'm not sure this move is gonna help him get a good spot for his final college eligibility nor a good spot in the NFL draft.

[Vrede too]

The kid may be right, but I'm not sure this move is gonna help him get a good spot for his final college eligibility nor a good spot in the NFL draft.

He's probably burned his bridges at UNLV. Another school next year?

Holy Cross > UNLV - He may not have realistic NFL aspirations His stats through 3 games vs so-so opponents this year are good, but don't really scream "NFL" to me.