Amateurism Has Expiration Date

Sportico writes, “For decades, the NCAA steadfastly promoted amateurism—a set of rules that distinguish college athletes as amateur athletes by denying them opportunities for compensation … Now the NCAA is okay with colleges directly paying athletes, with $20.5 million pegged as the initial annual cap.” 

May 20, 2025

The Time Is Right for a House Settlement Decision This Week
Sportico’s Michael McCann writes, “It’s worth pausing to consider this moment for college sports. If the settlement is approved, participating colleges will directly pay athletes a share of up to 22% of the average power conference athletic media, ticket and sponsorship revenue. 

“For decades, the NCAA steadfastly promoted amateurism—a set of rules that distinguish college athletes as amateur athletes by denying them opportunities for compensation … Now the NCAA is okay with colleges directly paying athletes, with $20.5 million pegged as the initial annual cap.” 
^Sportico

🏆 And now, for some more good news from our own company, Sport & Story…  👇🏼

Sport & Story's The Brew Wins Best Newsletter at the 2025 Digiday Media Awards
Sport & Story, a leader in content platforms and production services, is proud to announce that The Brew—our collection of more than two dozen daily fan newsletters—has won Best Newsletter at the 2025 Digiday Media Awards.

This award recognizes outstanding innovation and performance in digital media. As media consumption habits continue to evolve, The Brew stands out as a scalable and brand-aligned tool that enables schools to deepen relationships with their fan base while unlocking new revenue opportunities. Written in a fan-first, conversational tone, the newsletter fosters engagement while driving commercial growth through tickets, merchandise, events, and sponsorships.

“We’re incredibly honored to receive this recognition from Digiday,” said Victor Vitarelli, President of Sport & Story. “This award is a testament to the creativity and dedication of our team, and to our partners who continue to innovate in how they connect with fans and find new revenue streams.”
^{Sport & Story}

Former SportsCenter Snapchat Host Treavor Scales Returning to ESPN
FOS’ Ryan Glasspiegel writes, “Treavor Scales is leaving home and coming home again all at the same. Scales is exiting his hometown of Atlanta and returning to ESPN in Connecticut as a SportsCenter anchor after four years away from the network [hosting Braves and Hawks games], ESPN confirmed exclusively to Front Office Sports.” 
^{Front Office Sports}

CBS Cuts Back Slightly on PGA Championship’s Final Round Commercial Load
CBS cut back on its commercial load for the final round of the PGA Championship on Sunday, as Scottie Scheffler secured his third major championship by five shots. CBS aired 46 minutes, 55 seconds of commercials during the final round. That compares to 48 minutes, 40 seconds for last year’s final round from Valhalla Golf Club.
^{Sports Business Journal}

Prime Video Bringing Fresh Features, Approach to NASCAR Coverage
Prime Video has gotten several other divisions of Amazon involved in its new NASCAR deal that starts this week, including a “Shop the Race” experience that will let fans buy merchandise while watching a race. In a historic first, the digital streamer this weekend will become the first company to ever exclusively air a NASCAR premier series race over the top with no linear TV coverage to accompany it.
^{Sports Business Journal}

Lightning Join Scripps to Expand TV Reach Across Florida
The Lightning are the fourth NHL team to sign with Scripps Sports, opening the door to “expand the Lightning’s reach farther in the state” by “putting games in homes that are in the team’s TV market but suffered from the similar accessibility issues,” according to Eduardo Encina of the TAMPA BAY TIMES via SBJ.
^{Sports Business Journal}

USTA’s Master Plan: Inside the $800M Renovation of Billie Jean King National Tennis Center
SBJ’s Rob Schaefer reports: “Shortly after the conclusion of the 2024 U.S. Open, the USTA began what it projects will be $800 million of self-funded renovations to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The phased project, to be completed by the 2027 U.S. Open, represents the largest single investment the organization has made into the home of its revenue-rich Grand Slam.”
Sports Business Journal

Lyon Women’s Team Set For a New Name and Higher Attendances Under Ambitious Owner Kang
The French team will take on a new name next season when the women’s side becomes OL Lyonnes. This combines the city’s name with the French word for a lioness (lionne). A new club logo will feature a roaring lionesses’ head.

“This is not just about name change or logo change,” Kang said Monday. “This is about redefining what’s possible for women’s football.”
Sports Business Journal

Bears Shifting Stadium Focus to Arlington Heights
The Bears are “shifting their focus for a new stadium away from” Chicago‘s lakefront and “back to Arlington Heights.” The team said that it will “not seek state funding for a stadium.” Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and lawmakers have “repeatedly shown no enthusiasm for putting taxpayer money toward a stadium.” However, the Bears are “likely” to “seek state funding for infrastructure” around a potential $2B stadium in Arlington Heights.
Chicago Daily Herald via Sports Business Journal

Gary Lineker to Step Down From the BBC After Sharing Social Media Post on Zionism
AP News’ Steve Douglas reports: “Gary Lineker, the England soccer great-turned-media celebrity, will leave his role as a presenter for the BBC after facing criticism for reposting an Instagram story about Zionism which featured a picture of a rat.

“The 64-year-old Lineker, who is the British national broadcaster’s highest-paid presenter on about 1.3 million pounds ($1.7 million) a year, was set to leave flagship soccer highlights show ‘Match of the Day’ at the end of this season but remain with the BBC to front other soccer coverage, including next year’s men’s World Cup.”
AP News

Longtime Pepsi Sports Exec Justin Toman Replacing Nick Kelly at Verizon
SBJ’s Terry Lefton reports: “Pepsi Head of Sports Marketing Justin Toman is moving to Verizon to head that company’s extensive sports and entertainment marketing portfolio. Toman will start June 2 as VP/Partnerships at Verizon, the title recently vacated by Nick Kelly, who’d served just over two years in that role before leaving last week, to start his own agency. At or near the top on Verizon’s sports marketing agenda: activation around the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.”
Sports Business Journal

Newcastle Set to Appoint Crystal Palace’s Grace Williams as New Director of Women’s Football
The Athletic’s Chris Waugh and Matt Woosnam write, “After achieving back-to-back promotions under Becky Langley’s management, rising from the fourth to the second tier, Newcastle finished fifth in their first-ever Championship campaign, nine points adrift of league winners London City.

“Paul Mitchell, the sporting director, has continued to provide substantial backing to the women’s set-up since his appointment last year and he is further bolstering the off-field operations by bringing in Williams from Crystal Palace.”
^{The Athletic}

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Notre Dame–USC Football Series in Jeopardy, But Irish Looking to Extend Rivalry
SI’s Pat Forde writes, “The two football bluebloods have met 95 times since 1924, playing every year but three during World War II and during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. The Oct. 18 game in South Bend is the last one in the current contract. USC has offered a one-year extension to play in Los Angeles in 2026, sources tell SI, while Notre Dame desires another long-term deal.”
^{Sports Illustrated}

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