Own the group chat with The Weekender, highlighting the biggest stories in college sports, standout writing from Eleven Warriors, and a glance at what’s next.
NCAA, CONFERENCES SUED OVER MARCH MADNESS ADVERTISING
The NCAA once again finds itself in legal trouble.
A collection of former college basketball players, including Kansas great Mario Chalmers and Arizona guard Jason Terry, sued the NCAA and multiple conferences — including the Big East, Pac-12, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC and ACC — for unauthorized use of their name, image and likeness in March Madness highlights.
Turner Sports Interactive was also named in the lawsuit, which claims that the NCAA collected “millions of dollars” through the use of the name, image and likeness of the 16 plaintiffs. The lawsuit also accused the NCAA and conferences of violating the Sherman Antitrust Act.
This recent legal development comes on the heels of the NCAA settling in House v. NCAA and other antitrust cases, which required the NCAA to pay out more than $2.8 billion to former athletes over prior use of their name, image and likeness.
BLAKE ANDERSON FIRED FOR CAUSE AT UTAH STATE
Utah State parted ways with head football coach Blake Anderson on Tuesday after an investigation found that Anderson violated his “employment agreement and university policy.”
The decision to fire Anderson came after an external review found noncompliance regarding Title IX, university requirements to report sexual misconduct, including domestic violence, and the prohibition of employees conducting personal investigations of alleged sexual misconduct.
The university also dismissed Associate Vice President & Deputy Atheltic Director of External Affairs Jerry Bovee — who served as interim athletic director in 2023 — and Utah State Football Director of Player Development & Community Austin Albrecht for “violations of university policies related to the reporting of sexual and domestic violence and failures of professional responsibilities.”
In three seasons at Utah State, Anderson captured a 23-17 record and the 2021 Mountain West championship.
SEVERAL SCHOOLS OFFICIALLY JOIN NEW CONFERENCES
As conference realignment reshaped the college sports landscape in recent years, several universities officially joined new conferences during the week.
Stanford, California and SMU officially joined the ACC on July 1, bringing a pair of programs located on the West Coast and SMU, located in Dallas, Texas, to the Atlantic Coast-based conference.
Ready for ACCtion #GoBears pic.twitter.com/KBj8Uruz20
— Cal Football (@CalFootball) July 6, 2024
#TheMustangsHaveArrived pic.twitter.com/BIZCvNHGqa
— SMU (@SMU) July 1, 2024
Similarly to the new ACC additions, Texas and Oklahoma made the jump to the SEC on July 1, bringing the Red River Rivalry with them to a new conference.
Texas lives here. #HookEm pic.twitter.com/6dGDbkLY2V
— Texas Longhorns (@TexasLonghorns) July 2, 2024
#OUxSEC pic.twitter.com/TLhNSEe6EU
— Oklahoma Sooners (@OU_Athletics) July 1, 2024
The Big 12 welcomed Utah, Colorado, Arizona and Arizona State to its ranks over the summer and with the conference’s football media day coming up, the Utes are expected to be the top dog against their new competition in football.
The people have spoken… allow us to present the 2024 #Big12FB Media Preseason Poll pic.twitter.com/9JQw1J21Fv
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) July 2, 2024
Although UCLA, USC, Oregon and Washington will have to wait until Aug. 2 to officially join the Big Ten, the Ducks and Huskies have already prepped for their arrival to the Midwest-based conference.
How do we feel about our Oregons new basketball court design?
or
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) June 24, 2024
B1G changes coming… #GoHuskies pic.twitter.com/NuBIfGw2LQ
— Washington Athletics (@UWAthletics) July 4, 2024
And USC is counting down the days until it joins the Big Ten.
One. Month. Away. pic.twitter.com/bAh7Y9BaOy
— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) July 2, 2024
ICYMI
FABLES OF RECONSTRUCTION PART 2: FEASTS OF SORROW
Ramzy Nasrallah recounts the highs and lows of John Cooper’s tenure as head coach of Ohio State.
FIVE-STAR 2025 LINEBACKER RILEY PETTIJOHN COMMITS TO OHIO STATE
Ohio State linebackers coach James Laurinaitis secured a massive win on the recruiting trail on Saturday, landing the commitment of five-star linebacker Riley Pettijohn.
OHIO STATE PRESIDENT TED CARTER CONFIDENT ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT WILL REMAIN PROFITABLE IN REVENUE-SHARING ERA WITHOUT CUTTING ANY SPORTS
Although Ohio State’s athletic department operated at a deficit last year and revenue sharing with student-athletes is on the horizon, University President Ted Carter remains confident that the department will not have to cut sports in the future.
UP NEXT
- 55 Days: Ohio State football opens the season against Akron at Ohio Stadium
- 146 Days: The Game
