- The U.S. Supreme Court will hear an appeal from the NCAA and 11 collegiate athletic conferences of a case that challenges restrictions on athlete compensation, giving the association an opportunity to argue for the reversal of a lower court ruling that it is in violation of antitrust law by limiting education-related benefits schools can give athletes. The high court's decision to take the case adds another variable to an uncertain legal environment surrounding college athlete compensation heading in 2021 that includes expected changes to NCAA rules on how players can profit from their names, images and likenesses, as well as legislative activity at both the federal and state level. (USA Today)
- Longtime ESPN reporter Tom Rinaldi is leaving the Walt Disney Co.-owned sports network for Fox Sports, according to sources, and is expected to feature in coverage of major events including the Super Bowl, World Series, World Cup and college football. Rinaldi is the latest high-profile ESPN personality to head to Fox Corp.'s sports arm in the past year, joining Adam Amin, Jonathan Vilma and Emmanuel Acho. (New York Post)
- The two-year-old Premier Lacrosse League and 20-year-old Major League Lacrosse are merging, consolidating professional outdoor lacrosse into a single entity that will operate under the PLL banner. Founded by lacrosse star Paul Rabil and his brother, Michael Rabil, the league's chief executive, the PLL has attracted investment from Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai, The Raine Group and Creative Artists Agency, as well as sponsorship support from Ticketmaster, Adidas, Gatorade, Vineyard Vines and Capital One. (Sportico)
Democratic senators introduce 'College Athletes Bill of Rights' that could reshape NCAA
Steve Berkowitz, USA Today
Sens. Cory Booker and Richard Blumenthal on Thursday are introducing legislation that would dramatically alter the compensation and treatment of athletes in major-college sports programs. The measure backs those changes with a variety of enforcement provisions that would be directed by a commission whose governing board would be appointed by the President and have subpoena power.
Procter & Gamble Alum Launches Site To Crowdfund Booster Payments For NCAA Recruits
Jack Neff, Ad Age
A new website from Procter & Gamble Co. alum Pablo Arellano Jr. would crowdsource booster bids in a way that he says circumvents those rules. MVNM.com, which stands for Most Valuable New Member, will let people place bids on recruits to play for specific schools. The aggregated money will be held in a trust managed by JPMorgan Chase until the student-athletes enroll and then end their eligibility.
Division I transfers for all sports get blanket waiver from NCAA, can play immediately
Jeff Borzello, ESPN
The NCAA Division I Council voted Wednesday to grant a blanket waiver allowing all Division I transfers to play immediately this year. The waiver covers all Division I sports, and the most immediate impact will be felt in men's college basketball, in which a number of notable players will be able to suit up immediately.
AAC commissioner says 'deck is stacked' against Group of 5 college football teams
Mark Schlabach, ESPN
American Athletic Conference commissioner Michael Aresco strongly criticized the College Football Playoff selection committee for dropping undefeated Cincinnati another spot in its rankings - behind three two-loss teams. During an interview Wednesday on SEC Network's The Paul Finebaum Show, Aresco said the CFP selection committee needs to do some "soul searching" and is "undermining its credibility with rankings that defy logic and common sense and fairness."
Virginia Tech Hokies opt to end nation's longest bowl streak at 27 years
Andrea Adelson, ESPN
Virginia Tech has opted out of a bowl game, ending the nation's longest bowl streak at 27 straight years. Coach Justin Fuente said Wednesday he met with the team, and the players decided they wanted to bypass any postseason opportunity.
North Carolina vs. Kentucky, UCLA vs. Ohio State set as new 2020 CBS Sports Classic matchups
Kyle Boone, CBS Sports
Matchups for Saturday's CBS Sports Classic featuring North Carolina, UCLA, Kentucky and Ohio State have been flipped. The revised schedule, announced Wednesday by CBS Sports, will more closely align COVID-19 testing protocols between the competing programs and their respective conferences.
Arizona State Signs OVG Facilities To Run New Hockey Arena
Don Muret, VenuesNow
Arizona State University has signed a 30-year deal with OVG Facilities to run a new hockey arena on campus scheduled to open in late 2022, officials with both parties confirmed. The school's board of regents approved the $115 million project in November, clearing the way for construction to start in January.
Now don't trip over yourself trying to read this stuff.
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