February 26, 2024

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A federal judge’s ruling signals that the pay-for-play in college sports is here. … Two franchises in Chicago are fighting for limited public-stadium funding. … Gianni Infantino’s FIFA tenure hits eight years today. … And ultimate frisbee is making a push into the mainstream.

— David Rumsey [[link removed]]

NCAA’s Pay-for-Play Era: What We Know and What’s Next [[link removed]]

Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports

After years of court battles, pay-for-play in college sports is here.

Late Friday afternoon, Judge Clifton Corker, in the Eastern District of Tennessee, granted [[link removed]] a preliminary injunction barring the NCAA from enforcing any of its regulations around name, image, and likeness deals. The ruling could contribute to the death of NCAA amateurism—which is already on life support.

The biggest consequence: NIL collectives and boosters are no longer prohibited from negotiating deals before athletes commit to a school, ensuring that deals can become part of the recruiting process. In a 13-page ruling, Judge Corker said the NCAA’s prohibition on these negotiations “suppresses price competition by limiting negotiating leverage and, as a result, knowledge of value.”

More Fallout

The ruling will have other consequences as well. Among them: Athletic department officials can now facilitate NIL deals. Media companies can offer players NIL deals as a share to generate broadcast revenue. The NCAA is also barred from enforcing its “rule of restitution,” which allows for retroactive punishment of players if a ruling is overturned. The effects of the ruling will be tested for the first time during the next transfer portal window in April.

The decision will remain in place until the lawsuit [[link removed]], brought by the Tennessee and Virginia attorneys general in January, is settled or goes to trial. The NCAA has not specified whether it will begin an appeals process, but the governing body is looking into policy changes.

It’s Not Cut-and-Dry

The injunction, however, doesn’t provide for a free-for-all. State laws that bar using pay-for-play as NIL deals still exist—though legislators will likely move to strike down those laws so their local schools don’t lose a recruiting advantage. Some legal experts reportedly see the ruling as only applying to athletes in a particular jurisdiction, though others agree the ruling applies nationwide.

The NCAA also claimed that the majority of its members do not agree with the ruling, though it clearly benefits the thousands of players the governing body also theoretically represents.

“Creating a more transparent NIL process for athletes should be a top priority for all, and this decision is a massive step forward in achieving that goal,” an association of NIL collectives said [[link removed]]in a statement. Tennessee’s attorney general echoed that sentiment in a statement.

The Next Step

What’s next for the governing body? The NCAA will continue to beg Congress for a law that would supersede all the antitrust litigation facing it—after all, this is just one of several cases that could sink the NCAA’s business model of amateurism. A trial [[link removed]] at the National Labor Relations Board resumes today in Los Angeles over athlete employment status. (Another NLRB decision [[link removed]] from earlier this month regarding Dartmouth men’s basketball players has already affirmed that some players are university employees.)

Enough for Both? White Sox, Bears Ramp Up Push for Stadium Funds [[link removed]]

Quinn Harris-USA TODAY NETWORK

The race is on for public money to build new pro sports stadiums in Chicago, and it’s possible there won’t be enough to go around to meet the still-growing wish list in the Windy City or statewide.

White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf made his first extended comments last week on a proposed new ballpark [[link removed]] near Chicago’s downtown for the MLB club, telling Crain’s Chicago Business [[link removed]] that the project could involve an ask of about $1.1 billion in taxpayer funds, coupled with another $900 million in infrastructure work that has been authorized, but not funded, by a tax-increment financing district. The overall project, also involving adjacent mixed-use development that is increasingly in vogue across the sports industry, could reach $4 billion in total cost.

Reinsdorf’s interview arrived in tandem with team officials meeting last week with state lawmakers to begin their push for funding help. In both instances, Reinsdorf emphasized that the White Sox cannot succeed long-term at Guaranteed Rate Field, citing the “completely changed” economics of baseball. He also employed a time-honored maneuver [[link removed]] of suggesting a potential relocation, telling the publication that “the team will be worth more out of town.”

Despite the hefty price tag for the proposed stadium project, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has shown a willingness to discuss the effort and is an ardent advocate of keeping the club in the city—similar to his ongoing stance toward the NFL’s Bears.

“As far as public dollars, we haven’t gotten into any of those specifics yet,” Johnson said of the White Sox proposal. “But I will say that we’re going to explore all options. We have to make sure that we’re doing right by the people of Chicago. … Everything is on the table here. But again, I want to make sure there is a real commitment to public use and public benefit.”

That sentiment differs considerably from stiff opposition [[link removed]] to sports facility funding in many other parts of the country, including in Virginia for the proposed arena and mixed-use development for the Washington Wizards and Capitals.

Bearing Down

Reinsdorf conceded in the Crain’s interview that the White Sox and Bears could vie for the same hotel tax funds to fund their respective projects. The Bears are continuing an extensive search [[link removed]] across the Chicago area for a site on which to build a new domed stadium. Despite the Bears owning a 326-acre tract in suburban Arlington Heights, an ongoing tax assessment dispute [[link removed]] has helped extend the team’s search for other possibilities.

Talks have occurred between the White Sox and Bears about not complicating each other’s stadium development and funding efforts, but a shared facility is not being contemplated.

In a recent interview with WGN [[link removed]], Bears president Kevin Warren talked up the appeal of Chicago’s noted lakefront area, where current home facility Soldier Field is located.

“I’ve made it very clear what I feel about Chicago,” Warren said. “I think it’s the finest city in the world. I can’t think of another major metropolitan area that has a beautiful lakefront that you can swim in that’s clean near downtown. The architecture in Chicago is phenomenal. And just the history and the tradition. It’s just something that feels right about the Bears in Chicago.”

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Oracle’s Payments platform simplifies transactions, providing a unified view of sales. The focus shifts toward year-round fan loyalty and engagement, leveraging actionable data to personalize offerings [[link removed]] and enhance Fan Lifetime Value. Innovations include targeted discounts, personalized experiences, and gamified interactions.

Learn more [[link removed]] about how Oracle’s technology, driven by detailed fan data, promises a future where every aspect of venue operation is refined, maximizing fan per cap spend.

TIME CAPSULE Feb. 26, 2016: FIFA’s New Leader

Jessica Alcheh-USA TODAY Sports

On this day eight years ago: Gianni Infantino was elected president of FIFA, succeeding his disgraced predecessor Sepp Blatter, in what USA Today described [[link removed]] as a “surprise vote.” During his tenure thus far, Infantino has overseen expansion of the men’s and women’s World Cups, and a major revamp of the Club World Cup. Last summer’s Women’s World Cup broke attendance and prize money records, but it still drew heat [[link removed]] for offering smaller payouts than the ’22 men’s edition in Qatar, which stirred controversy [[link removed]] around human rights issues.

FIFA has said it wants to have equal pay for men’s and women’s players by 2030, and the next iterations of the men’s World Cup will break new ground with North America in 2026, six countries in ’30, and Saudi Arabia in ’34, the last of which has raised questions [[link removed]] about FIFA’s dealings with the often-criticized Middle Eastern nation. Infantino was reelected in ’19 and ’23, with his current term running through ’27.

FRONT OFFICE SPORTS TODAY Inside a Frisbee League

Premier Ultimate League

On the latest episode of Front Office Sports Today, we discuss the issue of fake social media personas plaguing sports journalism. We also delve into the evolving landscape of college sports and athlete payments, and new developments for the group aiming to block the Oakland A’s funding in Nevada. Plus: a chat with an executive dedicated to expanding a women’s ultimate frisbee league.

🎧 Listen and subscribe on Apple [[link removed]], Google [[link removed]], and Spotify [[link removed]].

SPONSORED BY MOREHOUSE SPORTS BUSINESS CONFERENCE

Your Sports Business Breakthrough

Are you an HBCU student interested in a career in sports, media, or entertainment but not sure where to start?

Join Morehouse College [[link removed]] on March 2 for the Morehouse College Sports Business Conference. Founded by HBCU students and alumni, this conference aims to equip students with the exposure, education, and empowerment they need to be future leaders in the industry.

Hear from industry experts and partake in unique networking opportunities to help get your foot in the door into the world of sport business.

This free conference [[link removed]] will take place at Sale Hall on the Morehouse College campus in Atlanta on March 2 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET.

Learn more about the event and save your seat [[link removed]].

Conversation Starters Historical marker: Iowa has added Caitlin Clark’s name and number to the exact spot on the court where she became the NCAA women’s basketball all-time leading scorer back on Feb. 15. Check it out [[link removed]]. Lionel Messi has now surpassed [[link removed]] 500 million followers on Instagram, joining fellow soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo as the only people in the world to reach the milestone. Days after the SEC fined LSU $100,000 for students storming the court, Wake Forest fans did the same following a win over Duke, injuring Blue Devils player Kyle Filipowski in the process. The ACC, however, doesn’t penalize court-storming. Watch it here [[link removed]]. Editors’ Picks Sham Gods: The Rapidly Growing World of Sports Impersonators on X [[link removed]]by A.J. Perez [[link removed]]Fake Schefters and Wojs, fabricated trade demands, and borrowed profile pictures. Murky Future: Everything You Need to Know About the A’s Move to Las Vegas [[link removed]]by Owen Poindexter [[link removed]]Breaking down one of the most drawn-out, multifaceted sagas in sports. Superdome Renovations to Finish in Time for Super Bowl LIX [[link removed]]by Alex Schiffer [[link removed]]Renovations will total $500 million and have been ongoing for years. Advertise [[link removed]] Awards [[link removed]] Learning [[link removed]] Video [[link removed]] Podcast [[link removed]] Sports Careers [[link removed]] Written by Amanda Christovich [[link removed]], Eric Fisher [[link removed]] Edited by Matthew Tabeek [[link removed]], Catherine Chen [[link removed]]

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