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- The First Whistle: "Fire Nico"
The First Whistle: "Fire Nico"
Masters record-breaking $___ prize, true natty champ is ___ ____, Women's hoops new ___ deal, and MORE!
December 11, 2025
Hi ,
I was thinking of trying something new for today’s intro segment. A how-to of sorts. I call it 'How to make a trade move so bad you lose your entire fanbase'. But instead of explaining it myself, I figured why not just let you guys learn from the professionals. And with that, I’m gonna turn it over to the Dallas Mavericks.
Scroll to the bench to learn how they managed to turn their entire fanbase against themselves and reaped the consequences of their decisions on Wednesday night.
— Avery Glover
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Auriemma and Staley: Women’s hoops should have its own TV deal
Top women's college basketball coaches Dawn Staley and Geno Auriemma are calling for a standalone TV deal for the women's March Madness tournament, separate from the NCAA's current broadcast agreement with ESPN. They argue that a dedicated deal would allow women's basketball to realize its true worth, citing a 2021 study that estimated the tournament could be worth between $81 million and $112 million annually if negotiated independently. The current deal, worth $65 million, is part of a larger NCAA-ESPN contract. Staley and Auriemma suggest exploring alternative media partners to secure a better deal.
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Unrivaled almost breaks even with ‘US$27m’ first year revenues
The Unrivaled three-on-three women's basketball league has reported over $27 million in revenue in its first year, with a strong media rights deal with TNT Sports and a roster of major sponsors like Under Armour and State Farm. The league, founded by Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, claims to offer the highest average salary in women's team sports history and has seen significant ticket sales and merchandise revenue. Unrivaled aims to achieve profitability as soon as next year, building on its successful debut season and exploring opportunities to increase income through additional sponsors, merchandise sales, and ticket revenue.
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Florida won national title, but the real winner is the transfer portal
The Florida Gators' national title win is seen as a testament to the impact of the NCAA's transfer portal era. Both teams that made it to the championship game, Florida and Houston, had remarkably experienced rosters and not a single freshman starter. This is a direct result of the NCAA's rule changes, which allow players to transfer multiple times without penalty, and the rise of NIL deals, creating an environment of "unrestricted free agency." This shift has made it challenging for freshmen to secure spots at top programs, with coaches like Rick Pitino noting the difficulty of winning with inexperienced teams. The trend raises questions about the future of college basketball and whether young teams can still achieve championship success.
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Utah sports owner Ryan Smith, Accel’s Ryan Sweeney start sports tech fund Halo Experience Company
Jazz and Utah Hockey Club owner Ryan Smith and Accel partner Ryan Sweeney have co-founded Halo Experience Company (HXCO), a sports tech investment firm aiming to raise up to $1 billion. The firm will support around two dozen portfolio companies, focusing on tech startups in sports and entertainment. Smith and Sweeney will serve as general partners, leveraging their experience and networks to identify promising opportunities.
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Masters payouts: Purse, winner's share from 2025 Masters Tournament
The 89th Masters Tournament is underway at Augusta National Golf Club, with a record-breaking purse expected to exceed $20 million. Although the official payout won't be announced until later in the tournament, it's expected to be similar to the $3.6 million taken home by last year's winner, Scottie Scheffler. Even players who don't make the cut will receive a payout of $10,000, with the top five placers expected to earn over $1 million each. The tournament concludes on Sunday, with one golfer set to claim the coveted green jacket and a substantial prize.
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JT Toppin spurns NBA Draft, will return to Texas Tech for purported $4 million in NIL earnings next year
Texas Tech's JT Toppin has announced that he will forgo the NBA Draft and return to the Red Raiders for the 2025-26 season, reportedly in line for a $4 million NIL deal. Toppin, a consensus All-American as a sophomore and the Big 12 Player of the Year, averaged 22.3 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks over Texas Tech's final 15 games and was considered a potential first-round pick. His return ensures Texas Tech will remain a national force and gives Toppin another chance to improve his game before potentially entering the NBA Draft next year.
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Start 2/Bench 2
⬆️ Paige Bueckers. Women's basketball star Paige Bueckers led the UConn Huskies to their 12th NCAA championship title, finally capturing the crown again after years of adversity and injuries. — Cassandra Negley
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