🏅Flagg wants to come back to Duke

Teaming up with

Hey there,

We’ve got an especially nerdy edition today – because around these parts, we’re all nerds for college sports. 

First, we’re discussing the NIL complications behind Cooper Flagg’s potential return to Duke next season. Next, a group of women’s basketball players have been organizing a Players Association for the last six months… but they can’t land a meeting with Big Ten or SEC officials. And lastly, Donald Trump’s newest NLRB appointee just made it more difficult for student-athletes to become employees with the flick of a pen. We’re breaking it all down in plain English right… now.

Before we do though, you guys have got to sign up for Anthem’s NIL tax webinar on March 4^th. These guys are the truth – if you’re involved in the NIL space in any capacity, this event will be so important for you to be at. Don’t miss out – sign up for the event here.

— Cole, Justin and Collin

The Big 3

Cooper Flagg May Return to Duke Next Season 💰️ 

There’s huge news out of Durham: apparently Cooper Flagg is mulling a return to Duke for one more season. As the 2^nd highest-paid NIL player in the country right now (behind only Arch Manning), he’d potentially command upwards of $7 million on the NIL market. 

But while NIL money might not look that far off from rookie NBA salaries, Flagg could be losing out on tons of money down the road if he were to return. Essentially, he’d be pushing his first NBA max-contract earnings (hundreds of millions) off another season. It sounds crazy to project that far in advance, but with a prospect like him, such a contract is basically guaranteed.

However, some things are bigger than money. If his Duke team disappoints in March Madness, or if the teams at the top of the NBA draft aren’t up to snuff, Flagg could shock the world and likely earn the highest NIL valuation in college sports history. (More)

Women’s Hoopers Have Formed a Players Association

Huge news broke earlier this week: Apparently over the last six months or so, about 120 women’s basketball players have been collaborating quietly to form a players association. Most of the association’s members are from the Big Ten and SEC.

Here’s the kicker though. To this point, SEC and Big Ten leaders have completely refused to meet with the group. In correspondence with the two conferences’ commissioners, the group was told to handle the issue with their own schools and coaches.

“We deserve a voice,” said Dominique Darius, who plays at USC and represents the Big Ten within the organization, “We deserve a say in the percentages [of money] that women’s basketball gets compared to some other sports… Women have always been low-blowed and undervalued. We all know that. But now is a time where it’s clear that this is a business and it’s profitable, so let us speak on our behalf.” (More)

New NLRB Head says no to Student-Athlete Employment

The Trump administration is starting to make moves on the labor front – and it’s affecting student-athletes. As part of his first memorandum, NLRB General Counsel William Cowen rescinded a prior memo that said student-athletes were generally protected by the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).

Here’s what got rescinded: GC 21-08. Don’t worry though, we’ve already read through the legal jargon. Essentially, this move shuts down student-athlete employment hopes while Trump is in office. It was put forward in September 2021 – right in the thick of the Biden presidency.

Because a case from 2015 refused to take a side on student-athlete employment, we’ve seen a ping-pong effect on the issue from whoever is in office. Biden’s administration was very friendly to the notion, but Trump’s labor agenda looks less willing to listen. (More)

Teaming up with

Join Anthem NIL Strategists for our upcoming FREE webinar, "Navigating NIL Taxes," 

This is designed specifically for student-athletes navigating the complex world of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) income. As a firm specializing in NIL taxes, we understand the unique challenges athletes face when managing their finances and tax obligations.

In this informative session, our experts will provide valuable insights and practical advice on how to effectively handle NIL income, ensuring you stay compliant with tax regulations and optimize your financial situation. Topics covered will include understanding taxable NIL income, deductible expenses, filing requirements, and strategies to minimize your tax liability.

Whether you're just starting to receive NIL income or looking for ways to better manage your existing earnings, this webinar will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to confidently navigate the tax landscape. Don't miss this opportunity to gain a clearer understanding of NIL taxes and ensure your financial success. 

Register today and take the first step towards mastering your NIL income with Anthem NIL Strategists. 

ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Kiyomi McMiller

• School: Rutgers 

• Position: Guard

• Sport: Basketball

• Class: Freshman 

Accolades: 

• Earned back-to-back Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors

• Scored a career-high 31 points against Lafayette

• Led all freshmen nationally with 20.9 points per game

• Recorded double-digit points in 11 straight games

NIL: She was the first high school athlete to sign with the Jordan Brand, and joined UCLA's Kiki Rice as Jordan's second NIL athlete overall. 

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NIL BLITZ

♦️ Blueprint Sports has acquired SANIL – one of the biggest mergers in NIL business history

♦️ Dan Hurley says teams like Seton Hall have “no shot” of competing without NIL resources

♦️ South Carolina’s Dawn Staley is not a fan of the Trump administration’s recent Title IX decision

♦️ Men’s golf athletes make the most money of all non-revenue college sports

♦️ Meet the youngest General Manager in all of Division I football – Northern Iowa’s Owen Chandler

♦️ LSU is retaining their basketball coach, expected to ramp up NIL basketball investment after being bottom of the SEC this year

♦️ Maryland is connecting student athletes with superstar marketing students for an NIL brand boost

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BATTER UP

Today’s Poll Question:

Last Edition’s Poll Results:

If you were a head football coach, would you put on a spring football game?

• Yeah, it’s important to get game-reps - 50.47%

• No, I don’t want my players getting poached in the portal - 49.53%