The First Whistle: D1 Betting Switch-Up

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NCAA LEGISLATION

Schools vote against rule allowing college athletes to bet on pro sports

Division I schools voted to reverse the rule that would have allowed college athletes to bet on professional sports, officially blocking the change across all divisions.

Why It Changed
The initial approval in October fell apart quickly after the NBA betting scandal. Power conferences that first supported the rule (including the SEC and Big Ten) shifted positions, with the SEC leading the push to rescind.

How the Vote Played Out
The reversal came down to the final minutes. St. John’s cast the decisive 241st vote needed to reach the two-thirds threshold. Roughly 80% of power-conference schools ultimately voted to overturn the rule.

What It Means Now
The NCAA is sticking with strict limits on athlete gambling, choosing caution and keeping all pro-sports betting off-limits for players.

📃 Read full Front Office Sports article here

COLLEGE CONFERENCE INVESTMENTS

Big 12 to get investment stake in Players Era Festival

The Big 12 is taking a 15% equity stake in the Players Era Festival and securing a minimum annual revenue guarantee starting next year, a move that gives the conference both financial upside and eight guaranteed tournament bids when the field expands to 32 teams.

Why This Tournament Matters
Launched in 2024 to skepticism, Players Era has quickly built momentum with NIL guarantees, major media interest, and plans to become the early-season equivalent of March Madness. Broadcast talks are underway with ESPN, Fox, Netflix, and Warner Bros. Discovery for a long-term media deal.

The Bigger Picture
With MTE economics tightening and high-major basketball costs rising, conferences and programs see Players Era as a way to generate new revenue and visibility. For the Big 12, already aggressive in sponsorships and commercial growth, the equity play fits its wider push to create value and expand its footprint.

🏀 Read full Sports Business Journal article here

HIGH SCHOOL NIL

OHSAA NIL vote passes, meaning high schoolers can make deals

Ohio high schools have officially voted to allow student-athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness, a major shift prompted by a lawsuit and a judge’s temporary block of the state’s previous NIL ban. The measure passed overwhelmingly, making Ohio the 45th state to permit high school NIL deals.

Why It Happened
The change followed legal action from the family of top football recruit Jamier Brown, who argued he lost more than $100,000 under the old restrictions. With a court prepared to weigh in, schools moved first to set their own rules rather than have the decision imposed.

What the New Rules Look Like
Ohio’s NIL guidelines ban deals tied to gambling, substances, recruiting inducements, or performance incentives. Athletes also can’t do NIL activities during school hours or team events, and the OHSAA will track deals to ensure other bylaws remain intact.

What It Means Going Forward
The OHSAA says this is just the beginning. NIL at the high school level will require ongoing oversight as the landscape continues to shift. For athletes like Brown, it also marks the start of real earning opportunities and early education in contracts, taxes, and responsibility before they ever reach college sports.

💰️ Read full article from The Columbus Dispatch here

COLLEGE COACHING

Lane Kiffin's drawn-out coaching decision means one thing: He better win this week

Ryan Day may be undefeated this season, but Lane Kiffin is the coach with the most on the line heading into the Egg Bowl, and it’s because of his own uncertainty about where he’ll work next year.

Kiffin’s Future in Limbo
Kiffin hasn’t committed to staying at Ole Miss, with reports tying him to LSU and Florida and even family members visiting other campuses. Ole Miss’ AD says an announcement on his future is expected the day after the game, adding even more drama.

Why This Egg Bowl Matters More
Ole Miss is 10-1, ranked No. 6, and still in the playoff hunt. A loss to Mississippi State could knock the Rebels out of contention and place the blame squarely on Kiffin for letting speculation overshadow a historic season.

The Stakes if They Slip
If Ole Miss loses and Kiffin leaves the next day, the CFP committee could factor that into rankings, similar to how they treated Florida State after losing its QB. One bad night could undo everything, with Kiffin’s exit amplifying the fallout.

🏈 Read full ESPN article here

Start 2/Bench 3

⬆️ Jordan Class of 2025. Jordan Brand has added four top Class of 2025 players - Sarah Strong, Kiyan Anthony, Cameron Boozer and Cayden Boozer - to its NIL roster. The partnerships reflect the brand’s continued push to align with rising high-school talent. - Nike

⬆️ Eric Morris. Oklahoma State has hired North Texas head coach Eric Morris as its next leader, marking the school’s first FBS head-coach-to-head-coach hire in program history. Morris arrives with a proven track record of building high-powered offenses and developing elite quarterbacks, positioning OSU to launch a new era in Stillwater. – Cowboy Football

⬇️ Justin Wilcox. The University of California has fired Justin Wilcox after nine seasons and a 48–55 record, a move that comes with a $10.9 million payout. - Pete Thamel

⬇️ Chip Kelly. The Las Vegas Raiders have fired offensive coordinator Chip Kelly just 11 games into his first season, following a 24–10 loss that dropped the team to 2–9. - Ryan McFadden

⬇️ Shane Bowen. The New York Giants have fired defensive coordinator Shane Bowen after the team blew its fifth double-digit lead of the season, interim coach Mike Kafka announced Monday. Outside linebackers coach Charlie Bullen will take over on an interim basis as the Giants move forward at 2–10. - Jordan Raanan