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Collective Bargaining Could be Coming to College Sports
With revenue-sharing for college athletes about to begin, industry leaders are discussing the possibility of collective bargaining to formally recognize athletes as employees, likely through a national employment organization rather than individual schools. Proponents like Tennessee athletic director Danny White argue that such a shift could streamline the system, maintain ties with higher education, and address anticipated legal challenges, while some critics caution about logistical obstacles and question athletes' desire for unionization. Universities are preparing for potential shifts in governance and increased scrutiny of their employment practices. This evolution would mark a historic change in collegiate athletics, signaling a move toward professionalization and fundamentally altering longstanding amateurism norms.
Collective Bargaining Could be Coming to College Sports
Potential Ban on Online Fantasy Sports
NCAA Seeks Antitrust Protections
NBA Escrow System Reduces Player Salaries
WNBA Adds Three Expansion Teams
NFL Can Leverage a Major Court Decision
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California Attorney General Rob Bonta is preparing to issue a legal opinion that could render all online fantasy sports platforms illegal in the state, broadening an ongoing push against sweepstakes-style online casino games. This move follows similar regulatory efforts in other states, such as enacted bans in Connecticut and Montana and proposed legislation in Louisiana and New York, while California tribal gaming groups have raised warnings about potential changes to the legal status of fantasy sports operators. Supporters of the proposed legislation argue that stricter oversight is needed to protect consumers and ensure compliance with state gambling laws. If enacted, this change could significantly impact the multibillion-dollar fantasy sports industry, demonstrating how shifting regulatory interpretations can reshape the legal landscape for both businesses and consumers.
California Eyes Potential Ban on Online Fantasy Sports
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College sports leaders are seeking antitrust and other legal protections from Congress and are offering to protect funding for Olympic sports programs in exchange, as these programs produce most U.S. Olympians but now face severe financial threats after the House settlement on revenue sharing. With lawmakers—particularly Senate Democrats—expressing concerns about athlete rights and oversight, bipartisan discussions are focusing on ensuring continued funding and federal grants to sustain college Olympic sports amid rising expenses. Although some universities have already cut several Olympic sport programs, there is optimism among officials that the most productive schools will maintain strong teams, especially if Congress acts to support them. Ultimately, linking legal protections for the NCAA to real, enforceable guarantees for Olympic sports funding could shift the legislative conversation, but the challenge remains to balance institutional liability with meaningful reforms for athletes’ welfare and opportunities.
NCAA seeks Antitrust Protections from Congress
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The NBA finalized its accounting for the 2024-25 season, reporting basketball-related income (BRI) at $10.25 billion, which directly affects the salary amounts players retain under the league’s shared revenue system. Due to lower-than-expected revenues, primarily attributed to a turbulent local media landscape and small-market teams dominating the playoffs, players will collectively forfeit over $480 million from the 10% escrow withheld from their salaries; top earners like Stephen Curry will lose up to $5.1 million each. Players will receive approximately 90.9% of their stated salaries, with the remainder allocated to ensure the agreed-upon 51% BRI split, echoing similar escrow practices that have recently ended in the NHL as hockey revenues have surged. Despite this setback, players are poised for improved financial prospects going forward, as the new media deals and a 10% salary cap increase to $154.6 million are expected to eliminate escrow withholdings for the 2025-26 season, underscoring the volatility and interdependence of league revenues, collective bargaining provisions, and player compensation.
NBA Escrow System Reduces Player Salaries Nearly $500 Million
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The WNBA has announced the addition of new expansion teams in Cleveland (2028), Detroit (2029), and Philadelphia (2030), each tied to current NBA ownership groups and each paying a record $250 million expansion fee. This latest expansion, which follows earlier additions in Golden State, Toronto, and Portland, occurs amid rapid increases in WNBA franchise valuations—now averaging $269 million, up 180% from last year—with the Valkyries and New York Liberty leading at $500 million and $420 million, respectively. The league’s aggressive growth strategy is occurring alongside a major labor negotiation, as players have opted out of the current CBA, emphasizing the need for a new agreement to ensure they equitably benefit from the league’s success. The scale of recent expansion fees and owner investments signals unprecedented confidence in the business and cultural potential of women’s professional basketball, underscoring the importance of labor stability as the league accelerates its growth trajectory.
WNBA Adds Three Expansion Teams at Record $250 Million Expansion Fee
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A U.S. District Court jury ordered the National Football League to pay more than $4.7 billion in damages for antitrust violations. The ruling held that restricting negotiations over rights to broadcast teams’ out-of-market Sunday games to a single, bundled TV package violated competition laws. The lawsuit covered 2.4 million residential subscribers and 48,000 businesses in the United States who paid for out-of-market games from 2011 through 2022 on DirecTV. The plaintiffs claimed that the NFL broke antitrust laws by selling its Sunday games package at an inflated price. While the League plans to appeal the decision, the ruling could prompt changes in how rights to air games are distributed, potentially benefiting football teams and fans alike. If the ruling stands, the NFL could lose out on one big-ticket payday. But dicing up rights could spark a wider feeding frenzy. The pot for sports rights is expected to grow to $30 billion annually by 2024.
NFL Can Leverage a Major Court Decision to Boost How Teams and Fans Watch Games
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Weekly Trivia Question
Which football/soccer club was the first to win the “treble”?
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Ajax
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Which football/soccer club was the first to win the “treble”?
Weekly Trivia Question
In which organization are teams individually owned and belong to governing bodies which promote and relegate teams to different leagues based on performance?
Weekly Trivia Question
a. National Football League (American Football)
b. English Premier League (Soccer)
c. Major League Soccer (Soccer)
d. Serie National de Beisbol (Cuba) (Baseball)
Correct!
b. English Premier League (Soccer)
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Hide Answer
In which organization are teams individually owned and belong to governing bodies which promote and relegate teams to different leagues based on performance?
Weekly Trivia Question
a. National Football League (American Football)
b. English Premier League (Soccer)
c. Major League Soccer (Soccer)
d. Serie National de Beisbol (Cuba) (Baseball)
Correct!
b. English Premier League (Soccer)
Hide Answer
Incorrect
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College sports leaders are seeking antitrust and other legal protections from Congress and are offering to protect funding for Olympic sports programs in exchange, as these programs produce most U.S. Olympians but now face severe financial threats after the House settlement on revenue sharing. With lawmakers—particularly Senate Democrats—expressing concerns about athlete rights and oversight, bipartisan discussions are focusing on ensuring continued funding and federal grants to sustain college Olympic sports amid rising expenses. Although some universities have already cut several Olympic sport programs, there is optimism among officials that the most productive schools will maintain strong teams, especially if Congress acts to support them. Ultimately, linking legal protections for the NCAA to real, enforceable guarantees for Olympic sports funding could shift the legislative conversation, but the challenge remains to balance institutional liability with meaningful reforms for athletes’ welfare and opportunities.
NCAA Seeks Antitrust Protections from Congress
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