The College Sports Commission reversed its July 10 memo by issuing new guidance that booster-backed NIL collectives can compensate athletes directly. Their deals must meet three criteria: have a valid business purpose to the public, turn a profit beyond athlete pay, and fit within fair-market-value ranges. This updated policy followed negotiations with House plaintiff attorneys and rescinds the previous blanket denial of collective transactions. Previously rejected deals are now being reevaluated under the revised standards. The CSC will assess transactions case‑by‑case, and failure to provide compliance documentation may result in deals being rejected.

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The United Football League plans to shift at least two—and possibly four—markets by 2026, including a confirmed move to Columbus, Ohio, where games will be hosted at a 21,000-seat Historic Crew Stadium. UFL co-owner Mike Repole now oversees business operations. He emphasized venue size and attendance atmosphere as top priorities, citing low turnout in large college stadiums as problematic. While the number of teams remains at eight, Repole has set aggressive expansion goals to reach 10–12 teams in five years and 16 by 2035, blaming himself if progress stalls.

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Even sidelined with injuries, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese drew a sellout crowd at the United Center for their second matchup in Chicago this season. The Fever defeated the Sky 93–78 in front of 19,601 fans—limited by construction rather than demand—and Indiana won all three head‑to‑head games this year despite players being absent on the court.

🏀 Read full Sports Illustrated article here

Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady has signed on as a studio analyst for NBC Sports’ upcoming NBA coverage beginning October 21, joining a lineup that includes Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter, Maria Taylor, and Ahmed Fareed. NBC executive producer Sam Flood praised McGrady’s expertise, and McGrady expressed excitement at returning to a network with strong basketball heritage.

📺️ Read full Sports Illustrated article here

Women’s Euro 2025 in Switzerland became the most successful edition yet, with average match attendance rising to 21,203 from 18,544 in 2022, 29 of the 31 games selling out, and total attendance hitting 657,291. Prize money climbed to a record €41 million, a 156% jump from 2022. The tournament reached over 500 million global viewers, with 45 million watching the final and U.S. viewership on FOX tripling. Notably, 86% of fans used sustainable transport, and zero air travel was used by organizers or broadcasters.

⚽️ Read full Sports Illustrated article here

Grand Slam Track, the start-up league founded by Michael Johnson, canceled its final event in June and reportedly still owes athletes millions due to a major investor withdrawing support. Meanwhile, MLS commissioner Don Garber is exploring a potential shift to a global fall-to-spring schedule by 2027, and Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti discussed the possibility of private equity entering the conference.

👀 Read full Front Office Sports article here

⬆️ Rashawn Slater. Rashawn Slater and the Los Angeles Chargers have agreed to a four-year, $114 million extension with $92 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history by average annual value. - Kris Rhim

⬆️ Courtland Sutton. Courtland Sutton and the Broncos agreed to a four-year, $92 million extension, but the veteran receiver says he intentionally took less to help Denver retain other core players and prioritize the team. – Chris Bengel

⬆️ Travis Hunter. Travis Hunter, the 2024 Heisman winner and No. 2 overall draft pick, leads all rookies in Madden NFL 26 with an 84 overall rating. The Jaguars cornerback boasts standout attributes, including 99 Stamina, 96 Jumping, and 95 Agility. – Marco Wutz

⬇️ Tahj Ra-El. Former Memphis safety Tahj Ra-El has been accused of leaking the team’s defensive playbook to UTSA before their 44-36 loss to them. – Sam Shoemaker