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NBC’s Mike Tomlin refuses to say Derrick Henry’s name
When it comes to Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry, Mike Tomlin acts like he’s in a video game that didn’t get the rights to use his likeness. The NBC Sports NFL analyst and former Pittsburgh Steelers coach was tasked with discussing Henry and the Ravens during their Sunday Night Football showdown with the Atlanta…
How a bill intended to rein in NIL and 'protect' college sports could also save the US Olympic team
The Protect College Sports Act, passed by the Senate this week, aims to safeguard Olympic sports in the U.S. The bill addresses issues like name-image-likeness payments and requires colleges to maintain scholarships and roster spots for Olympic sports
How a bill intended to rein in NIL and 'protect' college sports could also save the US Olympic team
The Protect College Sports Act, passed by the Senate this week, aims to safeguard Olympic sports in the U.S. The bill addresses issues like name-image-likeness payments and requires colleges to maintain scholarships and roster spots for Olympic sports.
Senate passes college sports bill that would rein in athlete payments and transfers
The overwhelming 77-22 vote to pass the legislation is the strongest effort yet by Congress to set national regulations governing payments to college athletes for their name, image and likeness and how often they can transfer.
Senate tees up college sports bill aimed at regulating NIL deals
The Senate is due to vote Monday on the bill, which would create a national framework for name, image and likeness deals in college athletics.
Meta's New Holographic Avatars Are Here And They're Surprisingly Real
They're a notable improvement over the company's earlier attempts at digital likeness.
Congress could vote on Protect College Sports Act as early as this week
Congress could vote as early as this week on the Protect College Sports Act, legislation that would regulate the number of transfers athletes can make, cap name, image and likeness deals, and limit how much an agent can make on a deal.
FSU industry leaders explore big picture of collegiate athletics at annual NIL summit
Florida State University brought together campus leaders Friday for a wide-ranging discussion on the future of Name, Image, and Likeness at the second
Nike signs 40 LSU athletes to NIL deals
Nike has expanded its Blue Ribbon Elite program by signing 40 LSU athletes from 14 different sports to Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals.
Halloween: The Game Devs Quickly Patch Out Sex Mini-Game
Halloween: The Game's sex minigame has been swiftly removed in under 24 hours, after players realised that a character with the likeness of deceased actor Donald Pleasence could sleep with 17-year-old teens
Sen. Cotton: College sports bill has support; ‘rules of the road’ needed
U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., said Tuesday (Sept. 1) that he believes the Senate could pass a college sports “name image and likeness” bill. He made the comments while visiting...
AI-generated videos are already displacing actors and livestreamers across China's entertainment industry
In China, 95 percent of the 128,000 short dramas released in Q1 2026 were AI-generated. Some actors are being forced to hand over their voice and likeness to AI tools before getting fired, the Financial Times reports. AI-related labor disputes are rising fast.
Doctors come out against Big 12 Monster Energy sponsorship
The sponsorship deal the Big 12 signed with Monster Energy has been met with resistance since it was first unveiled. First, there’s the idea that an entire college sports conference could sell its name, image, and likeness. Second, there’s the fact that at $20 million per year, the entire conference signed over those rights for…
Robin Williams’ kids reactivate his Instagram account to stop ‘rampant AI abuse’ of his likeness
Robin Williams’ three adult children reactivated his Instagram account to stop ‘rampant AI abuse’ of his likeness: ‘This is our way of sharing his unique talent and humor with the world.’
Ricketts Supports the Protect College Sports Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Recently, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) joined the Protect College Sports Act. This legislation would end the disorder facing college athletics by establishing nationwide standards for name, image, and likeness (NIL), transfers, eligibility, and enforcement. “The Protect College Sports Act is a good step forward for athletics,” said Senator Ricketts. “This bipartisan bill addresses issues that were […]
How Wisconsin high schools are navigating NIL for student-athletes
A year after the WIAA adopted name, image and likeness rules for high school athletes, questions remain for students and schools.
SEC in support of Protect College Sports Act after negotiations with lawmakers
A vote on a federal law to set guidelines for college athletes’ Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) could come as soon as this week.
Utah State Athletics Hires Sydney Bowman as Associate Name, Image and Likeness Business Development Manager
Utah State Athletics and Aggie Sports Properties have announced the hiring of former Aggie softball student-athlete Sydney Bowman (formerly Saldaña) as the department's first-ever Associate Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) Business Development Manager.
Liberty University lends support to Protect College Sports Act
Liberty University has joined more than 290 colleges in endorsing the Protect College Sports Act, a bipartisan federal bill dedicated to providing further clarity on issues related to name, image, and likeness in college athletics. The show of support came...
College Sports Commission approves reworked NIL deals worth total of $7.5M for 18 Nebraska players
The College Sports Commission has approved $7.5 million in restructured name, image and likeness opportunities spread among 18 Nebraska football players after those deals initially were rejected in a decision upheld by an arbitrator two months ago.
Female athletes in college sports surge in NIL deals
Female athletes are reaching new heights in name, image and likeness participation. College sports marketing companies report a rapid surge in female athlete engagement.
Iron Maiden Sells Catalog, Name, Likeness Stake to Pophouse
With a stake in the rights relating to Maiden's longtime mascot Eddie, Pophouse says it will "turbo-charge" the rockers' cinematic projects.
Price of doing business continues to rise in NIL era
One thing has been consistent since the name, image and likeness era began: The price of doing business in college football continues to rise.
Trump heads to Mount Rushmore, where efforts to impose his likeness have stalled
President Donald Trump returns to Mount Rushmore on Friday, and though the president has openly mused about adding his likeness to the storied national monument, it’s unclear if he can move the mountains necessary to make it happen.
Is NIL allowed in high school sports? A look at each state’s rules
Here are the updated name, image and likeness (NIL) laws in each state for high school athletes as of 2026.
Trump posts new passport rendering — featuring a memorable photo of himself
President Donald Trump unveiled a new rendering of a special commemorative US passport bearing his likeness Friday, debuting a limited-edition passport to mark America’s 250th anniversary this year.
College Sports Commission to continue reviewing deals by multimedia rights companies
A judge ruled that multimedia rights companies that represent university athletic departments can continue to be subject to the same rules governing millions in third party name-image-likeness payments to players that are reshaping college sports.
College Sports Commission to continue reviewing deals by multimedia rights companies
A judge ruled that multimedia rights companies that represent university athletic departments can continue to be subject to the same rules governing millions in third party name-image-likeness payments to players that are reshaping college sports.
Roundup: Shift in NIL / BlackBerry transitions / Agriculture aid
More inclusive: A recent NCAA rule change is shifting name, image and likeness opportunities away from only the biggest star athletes to a wider range of student-athletes. The update gives schools more structured involvement in managing and facilitating NIL deals, which reduces some of the previous free-for-all environment. As a result, athletes who are not […]
Adidas’ NIL pipeline is producing NBA rookies who already know the business
Mikel Brown Jr. reached the NBA with a head start few rookies have. Long before being selected sixth overall by the Brooklyn Nets at Tuesday’s NBA Draft, the 20-year-old guard had been embedded in Adidas’ ecosystem through a name, image and likeness deal that began in high school. “By the time our athletes walk across […]
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s lawyers issue cease & desist to Underdog for game mocking flops
The letter also asks that all board games be destroyed and that Underdog not use SGA’s name, image or likeness without his permission.
EA Sports UFC 6 Reveals Major Changes To Fighter Likeness, Gameplay Physics And Presentation
UFC 6 Releases June 19 On PlayStation 5 And Xbox Series X|S
Balancing act: 26 Sun Devils sports present unique challenges in NIL era
Arizona State’s athletic department faces unique challenges in sponsoring 26 varsity sports teams, especially with the rise of name, image, and likeness.
NIL Protection: A Game-Changer for College Sports?
Athletic name image and likeness agreements worth millions demand insurance protection.
College Sports Commission wins key NIL arbitration in case brought by Nebraska football players
An arbitrator ruled in favor of the College Sports Commission on Monday in a case brought on behalf of Nebraska football players that is viewed as a key test for the new entity in charge of approving third-party name-image-likeness deals in college sports.
Stranger Than Heaven Uses Likeness Of Actor Who Died 12 Years Ago
Bunta Sugawara, whose likeness is used in the upcoming prequel game Stranger than Heaven, died in 2014
Colorado Senate honors journalism icon Fred Brown
The Colorado Senate on Thursday honored longtime Denver Post bureau chief Fred Brown with a ceremony as distinctive as the journalist himself, donning masks bearing his likeness and celebrating his five decades of shaping political reporting and ethical standards in the state. The tribute, offered by Sen. Mark Baisley, R-Woodland Park, noted Brown’s 50 years […]
How A.I. Is Transforming China’s Entertainment Industry
A.I.-generated microdramas have taken off. Celebrities have threatened legal action against the use of their likeness, while actors say jobs have dried up.
Dam Nation files federal lawsuit against Blueprint Sports
Six-figure lawsuit claims Blueprint Sports is late on payments to Oregon State NIL collective Oregon State athletics’ former name, image and likeness collective, Dam Nation, filed a federal lawsuit against […]
Learfield CEO outlines college sports business, acquisition by TPG
Learfield CEO Cole Gahagan comes on Asking for a Trend to talk more about the multimedia company's role in promoting college sports — especially in the new age of name, image, likeness (NIL) deals for college athletes — and its recent acquisition by TPG (TPG). breaks down its business
‘It’s not just stardust.’ Musicians warn AI could erase artists’ livelihoods
Musicians brought their message straight to Capitol Hill, warning lawmakers that AI threatens artists’ voices, likenesses and livelihoods.
Expanding likeness detection to the entertainment industry
We’re expanding our likeness detection technology to the entertainment industry — talent agencies, management companies, and the celebrities they represent.
Parents navigate opportunities, challenges of high school sports NIL shift
Following the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s (MHSAA) decision to allow high school athletes to participate in name, image and likeness (NIL) opportunities, families around the Lansing area are starting to feel the impact. While the idea of student-athletes earning money from their talents is exciting, many parents say the reality is more complicated than […]
Sony is starting a weird service that scans people to put them in PlayStation games
Sony just announced something called The Playerbase. This is a forthcoming service that scans people's likenesses to put them in PlayStation games.
Sony Interactive Entertainment announces The Playerbase program to scan players into PlayStation games
Sony Interactive Entertainment has announced “The Playerbase,” an opportunity for PlayStation fans to have their likeness scanned and appeared within a PlayStation game, starting with G…
Executive Order would put restrictions on student-athletes ability to transfer, limit eligibility
The introduction of Name, Image and Likeness deals and the transfer portal has opened a new frontier for college sports.
‘Dune’ tried to warn us against AI
‘Thou shalt not make a machine in the likeness of a human mind.’
Tina Turner’s name, image, likeness and most music rights acquired by Swedish entertainment company
YouTube Adds Politicians and Journalists to Deepfake Detection Tool
The tool, previously only available to Hollywood stars and some top YouTube creators, will allow these high-profile users to flag deepfakes or other AI-generated content that features their likeness.
Legal Battles in College Sports: Enforcement of NIL Contracts and the Future of Athlete-Institution Agreements
In the rapidly evolving landscape of college athletics, the emergence of NIL (name, image and likeness) deals has introduced a host of new complexities. Traditional notions of amateurism have been fir…
Face of a 'vampire' revealed: Science rebuilds likeness of man decapitated after death to stop him coming back
Discovered in a fortress in eastern Croatia, the body had been exhumed, beheaded and reburied face down.
High school sports bills would allow middle schoolers to compete; regulate name, image and likeness
On Monday, members of the public shared their thoughts on two bills that would change high school sports rules in Nebraska. The Unicameral’s Education Committee heard testimony on LB742, which would allow seventh and eighth grade students to compete on high school sports teams.
POLL: Do you think Name-Image-Likeness (NIL) rights belong in high school sports?
We want to hear from our viewers for our UpNorthLive Unscripted show on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. on ABC 29&8.The Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) h
Michigan High School Athletic Association approves athlete NIL deals
The Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) approved new bylaws allowing athletes to profit off their name, image and likeness immediately.
College watchdog group nixed 500-plus NIL deals
The College Sports Commission has rejected nearly $15 million in name, image, likeness agreements since it started evaluating them over the summer, representing more than 10% of the value of all the deals it has analyzed and closed.
Zurich + Players Health offer injury insurance for NIL era of college sports
In a new era for college sports, Zurich North America and Players Health, a leading provider of athlete safety and insurance solutions, have teamed up to introduce a first-of-its-kind Critical Injury Protection Insurance solution for colleges, universities, collectives and their student athletes who receive name, image and likeness (NIL) payments. The new insurance protects these institutions' financial investments in top student-athletes in the event the athlete suffers a season-disrupting inju
A new era for sports communication at UNC Hussman | UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media
As director of UNC Hussman’s Sports Communication Focus Program, Distinguished Associate Professor of Sports Communication Livis Freeman is building on the work of the school’s legendary Distinguished Professor for Sports Communication John Sweeney. Sweeney, who retired last year, developed one of the most respected sports communication programs in the country. Freeman, now in his 12th year at the school, is launching an ambitious expansion of the program that is transforming how UNC prepares students for careers in sports media. The most visible change came this fall with a reimagining of “MEJO 377: Sports Communication.” Previously offered as two sections with 30 students each, the course expanded to 96 students and welcomed former UNC basketball star and NBA veteran Tyler Hansbrough as the co-instructor with Freeman, bringing real world professional experience directly into the classroom every week. The course has been a huge success. Students have participated in recording a podcast with Hansbrough and learned from an impressive lineup of guest speakers. Steve Kirschner, UNC’s senior associate director of athletics for communications, was the first in the course’s guest speaker series, followed by UNC Hussman alumni including Kaitlyn Schmidt ’23 from Bleacher Report, Deaton Bell ’90 from Turner Sports and Becca Royer ’19 from the Philadelphia 76ers. Travis Tygart, CEO of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, also shared his insights with the class. The highlight of the semester came when Roy Williams, who coached Hansbrough and the Tar Heels to a national championship in 2009, visited the classroom. Former UNC men’s basketball players Luke Maye and Marcus Ginyard showed up to support their former coach and Hansbrough, creating an unforgettable experience as Williams entertained students with stories and insights that captivated the room. Student demand has been overwhelming. The course reached capacity within two days of registration opening, with more than 40 students on the waitlist. “Students want to learn from people who have actually lived these experiences,” Freeman said. “Tyler shares insights into media relations, broadcast production and athlete communications that you simply can’t get from a textbook.” The model proved so successful that the school secured funding to continue it for the next five years, with a different former professional athlete co-teaching each fall. The school’s curriculum committee approved a proposal to expand the course to 150 to 200 students starting in fall 2026. This change will make it an introductory course accessible to students from across the University, transforming it into a showcase course for the entire campus. The course redesign represents just one piece of a broader sports communication program overhaul. This fall, the curriculum committee approved “MEJO 390: Sports Play by Play,” the first course of its kind at UNC. Limited to 10 advanced students, the course will be taught by Matt Krause, the current voice of UNC women’s basketball and an ACC Network broadcaster. Students will call actual games across multiple sports including women’s softball, soccer, volleyball, field hockey and lacrosse, as well as men’s soccer and lacrosse. They will also shadow broadcasts of men’s and women’s basketball games. “The sports broadcasting industry is exploding with streaming platforms and conference networks creating unprecedented demand,” Freeman said. The course emerged directly from student advocacy, led by Anna Laible ’26 and others who pushed for hands-on broadcasting experience. Professional equipment has been acquired, partnerships with UNC Athletics are in place and a soft launch began this semester with three experienced students calling games to test the system. The program’s growth extends into other specialized areas as well. Last spring, Stembler Professor Charlie Tuggle launched a new sports event management and hospitality course in partnership with On Location, a company that manages major sporting event experiences. The course provided students with opportunities to travel to the Super Bowl and NFL Draft, and Tuggle plans to take a group to the 2026 Milan Olympics this spring. Looking ahead to spring 2026, Associate Professor Ryan Thornburg will debut a sports data visualization course, adding another dimension to the program’s skill-building offerings. The curriculum expansion reflects the increasingly diverse career paths available in sports media, from traditional journalism and broadcasting to digital analytics and strategic communication. The program is also diving into one of college athletics’ most transformative developments: Name, Image and Likeness rights. Freeman’s “MEJO 466: Sports Marketing” class collaborated last spring with Associate Professor Gary Kayye’s “MEJO 371: Advertising Creative” class on a project with UNC’s Carolina NIL group to help rebrand their organization. That same semester, Kayye’s class envisioned Chapel Thrill, UNC football’s new pregame concert and entertainment experience. And Shaun Anderson, the school’s Knight Chair in Sports, Race and Media, continues to explore the broader implications of NIL through his research and teaching. These NIL-focused initiatives give students direct exposure to the business side of college athletics at a moment when the landscape is rapidly evolving. “Our students aren’t just learning about these changes,” Freeman said. “They’re actively helping shape how schools and athletes navigate them.” The transformation of UNC Hussman’s sports communication program reflects a broader philosophy about how to prepare students for careers in a rapidly changing industry. By bringing in professional practitioners like Hansbrough and Krause, partnering with industry leaders like On Location and ACC Network, and engaging with current issues like NIL, the program ensures students graduate with both theoretical knowledge and practical experience. For alumni who remember the foundations John Sweeney built, the expansion represents an evolution rather than a departure. The program still emphasizes strong reporting, strategic communication, ethical communication and critical thinking. But now it also offers students the chance to call live games, work on real NIL campaigns and learn directly from former professional athletes. “We’re not just teaching students about sports media,” Freeman said. “We’re giving them the tools, experiences and connections to actually build careers in it.” With new courses launching, professional partnerships deepening and enrollment expanding, UNC Hussman’s sports communication program is positioning itself as a national leader in preparing the next generation of sports media professionals. For current students, the message is clear: if you’re interested in sports communication, there’s never been a better time to be at UNC Hussman. And for the hundreds of students trying to get off waitlists and into these new courses, the school is working to create more opportunities. The program John Sweeney built is growing in ways that honor his legacy while meeting the demands of a new era in sports media.
Mount Athletics Announces Partnership With Accelerate Sports Ventures - Mount St. Mary's University
EMMITSBURG, Md. (December 16, 2025) - Mount St. Mary's University has officially partnered with Accelerate Sports Ventures to serve as the department's Revenue Sharing and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) consultancy. As the college athletics landscape continues to evolve, Accelerate will play a pivotal role in advising the administration, head coaches, student-athletes, and staff to best navigate this new era of college sports.
Inside this year’s White House holiday decor
It took 150 volunteers working for one week, with 25,000 feet of ribbon, 120 pounds of gingerbread, more than 10,000 butterflies and a 6,000-piece Lego portrait of President Donald Trump’s likeness to deck the White House halls this year.