🏅The most valuable teams in college hoops

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Hey there,

Have you ever wondered who the most valuable basketball programs in the country are? If so, look no further, because that’s the first story we’re bringing you in today’s edition. Then we’re giving you an update on why QB Nico Iamaleava decided to split from Tennessee – and how much we’ll be making at his next school. Lastly, we’re discussing what’s holding the House Settlement from finally being approved. It’s all coming up now, let’s get into it!

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— Cole and Collin

The Big 3

The Most Valuable Teams in College Basketball

The Wall Street Journal just released a story that details of the most valuable college basketball programs in the country… and some of these valuations are staggering. The list is headed by North Carolina and Duke, respectively, who hold a nearly $100 million lead over second place. 

Some other interesting notes: the Florida Gators, who just won the National Championship, clocked in at #31 with a $121 million valuation. Their opponent in the title game, Houston, was 58^th on the list with an $81 million valuation. On the women’s side, UConn ($95 million) and South Carolina ($86 million) topped the chart. 

The analysis was conducted by Ryan Brewer, a finance professor at Indiana University Columbus. According to him, these figures approximate the value these schools would hold if they were ever sold like a professional sports team. (More)

Details Emerge on Iamaleava’s Breakup with Tennessee

A week removed from his fallout with Tennessee, QB Nico Iamaleava seems set to commit to UCLA. After asking for $4 million dollars from Tennessee, it seems like he’ll be forced to settle for a fraction of that with the Bruins.

The initial reporting around Iamaleava’s holdout was that he wanted more money, but now the narrative seems to be that he didn’t like Tennessee’s run-heavy offense. According to his camp, Nico wanted more opportunities to showcase his arm talent and boost his stock as an NFL prospect. 

Iamaleava was making a little over $2 million in NIL at Tennessee with a contending team. Now he’s making making significantly less than that with a UCLA squad that just finished 5-7 in the Big Ten. (More)

House Lawyers Aren’t Budging on Roster Limits

Earlier this month, Judge Claudia Wilken expressed skepticism with implementing roster limits in college sports – a key component of the House Settlement deal. However, despite her concerns, the most recent filing shows the lawyers aren’t budging on the issue.

As a middle-ground of sorts, Wilken suggested that the roster limits be grandfathered in over a grace period, which would allow current athletes to keep their roster spots until graduation. The lawyers countered by saying such a plan would cause “significant disruption” to the college sports ecosystem. Now Judge Wilken is accepting outside opinions on the matter:

“While implementing a ‘grandfather’ provision might benefit some athletes,” the House lawyers said, “It would, at the same time, upset the settled expectations, enrollment decisions and other preparations of numerous other student-athletes and member institutions.” (More)

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NIL BLITZ

♦️ Cal lost five – yes, five – running backs to the transfer portal in a 48 hour period

♦️ Arch Manning will now make NIL money off of signed helmets and jerseys

♦️ Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby was just named assistant GM for Eastern Michigan’s football team

♦️ Here’s how BYU volleyball is preparing for House Settlement changes

♦️ IOC just approved more women’s swimming events for the L.A. Olympics. Meanwhile, college swimming itself is in jeopardy

♦️ Ole Miss paused their stadium renovations because of NIL, but that could change soon

♦️ Livvy Dunne now has a signature energy drink flavor thanks to NIL

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BATTER UP

Today’s Poll Question:

Last Edition’s Poll Results:

Is Tennessee better of letting Nico Iamaleava walk?

• Yes, it’s better to hold your ground - 71%

• No, they were National Championship contenders with Nico on the team - 29%