[1] Last Friday a ruling by District Court Judge Clifton Corker of the Eastern District of Tennessee made the NCAA’s worst nightmare a reality. The preliminary injunction he granted now prohibits the NCAA from enforcing its own rules barring the use of pay-for-play in recruiting.[2] Effective immediately, college athletes can now be promised name, image,... Continue Reading →
Following a strong first season, the James Madison University (JMU) Dukes are having an impressive second season in the FBS. The Dukes were undefeated (10-0) before losing to North Carolina’s Appalachian State University.[1] Now, their record is 11-1, and the team is bowl-bound for the first time in program history.[2] A few weeks ago, there... Continue Reading →
Over the last few years, we have seen the NCAA loosen its rules on collegiate athletes’ ability to make money. We have seen the NCAA go from making players ineligible for accepting gifts, to now certain collegiate athletes making millions of dollars per year based off of their Name, Image & Likeness (“NIL”). Recently, there... Continue Reading →
On Tuesday, January 3, 2023, the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Transformation Committee, which had been charged with reshaping NCAA policies, released its 40-page final report.[1] The Report will next go to the Division I Board of Directors for consideration at the 2023 NCAA Convention in San Antonio next week.[2] The Report details 34 review areas... Continue Reading →
Recently, college football has undergone several drastic changes, including, the start of the player compensation era, the loosening of transfer restrictions, the seemingly endless realignment of institutions, and much more. With each of these changes, decision makers are looking around wondering what to make of this new age college football and asking themselves who exactly... Continue Reading →
On Monday, Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation that allows New York college athletes to receive compensation for their name, image, and likeness without the risk of forfeiting their scholarships or eligibility to participate in college sports. "Our collegiate student athletes are heroes on the field - and they deserve to be treated like heroes... Continue Reading →
Today, November 17, the University of California Board of Regents (“Board of Regents” or “Board”) will meet to discuss a variety of issues, including UCLA’s move to the Big Ten Conference.[1] Specifically, on June 30, 2022, UCLA suddenly announced its plan to leave the Pac-12 Conference and join the Big Ten Conference beginning in the... Continue Reading →
Background Mr. Bacon began his legal career by pursuing a law degree at Akron University School of Law. Since the beginning, Mr. Bacon always knew that he wanted to work in college athletics. Initially, Mr. Bacon hoped to become a sports agent, as that was his first instinct when thinking about the intersection of sports... Continue Reading →
[1] Last week, Montana State Senator Ellie Boldman requested a bill be drafted with the intent of bringing ESPN’s pregame show “College GameDay” to Montana.[2] Ever since College GameDay premiered for Notre Dame-Florida State in 1993, the show has traveled across the US to different host schools each week during the college football season to... Continue Reading →
A massive case regarding CTE and NCAA football has gone to trial for only the second time, as the widow (Alana Gee) of former USC linebacker Matt Gee is suing the NCAA for wrongful death in Los Angeles Superior Court.[1] Gee was the fifth linebacker from the 1989 USC football team to die before the... Continue Reading →