NCAA Lawsuit Shakeup Imminent

Attorneys seeking approval of the $2.8 billion legal settlement describe that they call the ‘intergalactic paradigm shift’ the settlement will create across the NCAA

March 5, 2025

Attorneys in College Sports Lawsuit Point to ‘Intergalactic Paradigm Shift’ for NCAA
AP News’ Eddie Pells reports: “Attorneys seeking approval of the $2.8 billion legal settlement for college sports pointed to nearly 102,000 athletes who signed up to receive damages from the action, while batting down objections to what they described as the ‘intergalactic paradigm shift’ the settlement will create across the NCAA.

“In a motion filed in federal court Monday, plaintiff attorneys in the House settlement also noted that only 343 of nearly 390,000 people covered by the class-action lawsuit had opted out, while only 73 had submitted objections to the court.

“Meanwhile, 101,935 had either filed a claim form or updated their payment information, which gives them a chance to receive a portion of the nearly $2.8 billion to be divvied among those who played before the NCAA approved name, image and likeness deals in 2021.”
^{AP News}

Federer-Backed On Brand Projects 2025 Revenue Up 27% to $3.3B
Sportico’s Kurt Badenhausen reports: “Swiss-based sportswear firm On Holdings reported fourth-quarter financial results Tuesday morning that beat analyst expectations for both revenue and earnings. The stock was 5% at midday.

“Revenue for the three months was CHF 607 million ($679 million, based on current exchange rates), up 36% versus the prior-year quarter. For the full year, net sales hit CHF 2.32 billion ($2.6 billion) with a forecast to increase “at least” 27% in 2025, translating to $3.3 billion at current rates. Fourth-quarter revenue topped Wall Street forecasts by 2%, and earnings per share of CHF 0.27 crushed expectations of CHF 0.18.”
^Sportico

Bad Bunny Agency Announces Deal With Padres Star Fernando Tatis Jr.
Rimas Sports, the agency co-owned by Puerto Rican musical artist Bad Bunny whose leaders have been suspended by the baseball players’ union, announced a management deal Tuesday with San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. Tatis and the Padres agreed in 2021 to a $340 million, 14-year contract negotiated by MVP Sports, an agency headed by Dan Lozano.

Rimas said it will oversee marketing, brand relations and other services, working to “expand his portfolio as an athlete, businessman and philanthropist.”
^{AP News}

SBJ Adds National Sports Forum to Event Portfolio
Sports Business Journal today announced the planned acquisition of the National Sports Forum, an organization known for its annual, marquee conference for sports leagues, teams and other segments of the sports industry. The acquisition will enhance SBJ’s event calendar, providing more opportunities for industry professionals to grow and improve their businesses.
^{Sports Business Journal}

Golden Perspective
As SBJ’s Rachel Axon writes, “The remit for CEOs in the Olympic and Paralympic movement calls upon a broad range of skills: Manage a wide array of stakeholders from youth to elite international athletes, coaches, officials, parents, club owners and more. Sign sponsorships to privately fund the sport. Create and run events nationwide. Generate consistent exposure in a movement where interest peaks every four years.

“The pay for taking on that endeavor is highly variable within the Olympic movement, but one thing is clear: it lags behind other parts of the industry, though compensation has increased in recent years.”
^{Sports Business Journal}

Source: End of ‘ESPN Daily’ Podcast Could Signal More Licensed Omaha Content
SBJ’s Austin Karp writes, “Launched in October 2019, the ‘ESPN Daily’ podcast quietly ceased production a few weeks back. To many, the end of ‘ESPN Daily’ was a surprise, as it had a loyal following and was one of ESPN’s first audio-specific efforts.

“A source close to the situation tells SBJ that the end of ‘ESPN Daily’ could signal a move by Bristol execs toward a strategy of even more licensed content -- particularly audio projects from Omaha Productions, which has a dedicated Omaha Audio division.”
^{Sports Business Journal}

Dolan’s MSG Networks Nears Bankruptcy As Cord-Cutting Surges
FOS’ Eric Fisher writes, “A key part of the James Dolan sports empire is teetering toward bankruptcy. MSG Networks, the regional sports networks that are part of the Dolan-controlled Sphere Entertainment Co., is likely just weeks away from needing to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The RSNs have $804 million in debt that is currently due on March 26. That debt was originally due last October, but it has been in forbearance for roughly the last five months as extensions were granted on that due date.”
^{Front Office Sports}

UNC 'Hard Knocks' Deal Falls Through: Tar Heels Won't Be Featured in Bill Belichick's Inaugural Season
"NFL Films had discussions with Coach Belichick and UNC about appearing on Hard Knocks this offseason but couldn't reach an agreement," a spokesperson for NFL Media, which includes NFL Films, told CBS Sports on Tuesday.
^{CBS Sports}

College Football Playoff Adds 6 New Members to Selection Committee, Promotes Baylor AD to Chair
The College Football Playoff announced six new members to the 13-member selection committee Tuesday, along with the promotion of Baylor athletic director Mack Rhoades to committee chair.

The five new first-time members are former Michigan State/Cincinnati head coach Mark Dantonio, Maryland athletic director Damon Evans, longtime college football writer Ivan Maisel, Middle Tennessee athletic director Chris Massaro and former Ole Miss player Wesley Walls. All will begin three-year terms. Additionally, former USA Today writer and former selection committee member Steve Wieberg will return for a one-year term.
^{The Athletic}

Times Square Boxing Event in May Promises to Be Big, With 3 Fights and Talk of Half a Million Fans
AP News’ Brian Mahoney writes, “Big boxing in New York for long meant Madison Square Garden, in recent years Barclays Center as well. Fight night in Times Square promises to be a whole different scene.

“‘I think we’re expecting half a million people, for free,’ said Hall of Fame boxer Oscar De La Hoya, whose Golden Boy Promotions has three fighters on the May 2 tripleheader.”
^{AP News}

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Clemson and Florida State Approve Settlement With ACC Over Media Rights Contract
Yahoo Sports’ Nick Bromberg writes, “The cost of leaving the ACC is set to drop considerably in the coming years. As part of the agreement to settle litigation between Clemson and Florida State and the conference, ACC teams will have the opportunity to leave the conference in 2031 for as little as $75 million, according to ESPN. That figure comes as the exit fee would be $165 million in the 2026 fiscal year. From there, the exit fees in the conference will decline by $18 million a year through 2031.”
^{Yahoo! Sports}

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