IMG Academy owes $1.72 million in civil penalty

IMG Academy owes $!.72 million in civil penalty

February 19, 2026

IMG Academy Agrees to $1.72 Million Settlement Over Federal Sanctions Violations
IMG Academy is in Bradenton, Florida. The U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control announced the academy agreed to pay $1.72 million to settle potential civil liability for 89 apparent violations of federal counternarcotics sanctions. The payment is a civil penalty, not a criminal charge. According to OFAC, two students were enrolled at IMG between 2018 and 2022. Their parents were classified as Specially Designated Nationals under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act for providing financial support and services to a sanctioned Mexican Drug Trafficking Organization. Tuition payments arrived via third-party wire transfers from Mexico throughout the enrollment period.
^{Youth Sports Business Report}

Frances Tiafoe forced to black out sponsor logo before Delray Beach match
Frances No. 8 Tiafoe opened his campaign at the ATP 250 event in South Florida. Before his match, umpire Joshua Brace climbed down from his chair, halted Tiafoe, and informed him that his shirt violated the ATP’s logo rules. He was wearing lululemon’s Ventilated Sleeveless Tennis Shirt, which featured the lululemon logo on the left chest. He also had two stacked logos on the right for tech company UKG and multinational bank Barclays. The rule states, “If sleeveless, then two logo positions may be placed on the front, however neither shall exceed 6 sq in (3 sq cm).”
^Tennis

Bears announce highest season ticket price increase in last 3 years
The Bears sent a letter to their season ticket holders saying the prices will increase by 13.5%. This is 3.5% increase from last year, when they raised the season ticket prices by 10%. The rise in price comes after Chicago made a surprisingly quick turnaround under head coach Ben Johnson.
^WGN9

Main Street, Paramount-WBD, MLBPA and more
Main Street Sports Group has sent “warn notices” to all of its employees, alerting them that their jobs are going to be eliminated “in approximately 60 days.” The wind-down plan would be abandoned in the event of an immediate liquidation, or if Main Street strikes a last-minute deal with a “strategic partner.” Main Street currently intends to continue broadcasting regular-season games for the combined 20 NBA and NHL teams in its portfolio.
^{Sports Media Watch}

‘That’s Not Worth $10,000’: NASCAR’s Latest Daytona 500 Ticket Package Has Fans Split
NASCAR launched a new ultra-premium hospitality club. Many die-hard fans say that it felt like a different tune from the ‘old times’ the sport claims to be chasing. The club, called 1948, is now at the top of the ticket ladder with a $10,000 price tag. The 1948 club stands apart because it was sold as a one-day pass at the Daytona International Speedway.
^{The Sports Rush}

WWE premium live event coming to Italy for first time on European tour
The WWE is set to stage Clash in Italy on May 31. This will be the first time the company has hosted a premium live event in the country. The show will take place at the Inalpi Arena in Turin, which will also host Monday Night Raw the following day on June 1. The 11-show European Tour will begin on May 29 with Friday Night Smackdown at Barcelona’s Olimpic Arena Badalona.
^ESPN

Lakers President of Business Operations Tim Harris leaving after this season
The Lakers’ President of Business Operations, Tim Harris, will not return next year. Harris is widely considered responsible for the Lakers’ local TV rights deal with Spectrum SportsNet. The deal has brought in billions of dollars to the franchise over the years. Harris has been with the Lakers for over 35 years. It is unknown whether Harris had been contemplating leaving for a while or if the change in ownership influenced his decision.
^{Silver Screen and Roll}

Charlie Woods signs with agency for NIL representation
Charlie Woods, the son of Tiger Woods, recently announced his commitment to Florida State. Woods also signed with an agency for NIL representation. He will be repped by Players Group Management and agent Allen Hobbs. Woods will be with a different agency that is father. Tiger Woods has a longstanding relationship with Excel Sports Management.
^On3

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