College sports programs are finding new ways to make money beyond traditional sources like logos and ticket fees. They are building entertainment districts and forming partnerships to bring in revenue from activities around game days, as expenses for teams and athletes keep rising.
Key Facts
NCAA Division I schools made about $20.5 billion in revenue in 2024.
Many top college athletic departments still lose money despite high revenues.
NCAA allowed athletes to earn money from their name, image, and likeness (NIL) starting five years ago.
Schools can spend over $20 million per year on athletes because of a $2.8 billion settlement.
Tennessee finished a $337 million renovation of Neyland Stadium.
Tennessee plans a $280 million entertainment district near the stadium with shops, restaurants, and event space.
Entertainment districts aim to improve game-day experience and boost revenue through public-private partnerships.
Athletic departments focus on creative ways to increase funds due to growing expenses and competition.
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The NFL is starting a new campaign called "celly" to celebrate the tradition of touchdown dance celebrations in the end zone. A reporter visited the Houston Texans' training facility to learn about these dances.
Key Facts
The campaign is named "celly," short for celebration.
It honors touchdown dances performed by players in the end zone.
The NFL is leading this campaign to highlight this part of the game.
Jason Allen visited the Houston Texans’ training facility as part of the story.
Touchdown celebrations are popular moments in football games.
The campaign aims to show the fun and creativity of these dances.
Fans enjoy seeing players celebrate after scoring touchdowns.
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The Las Vegas Raiders plan to start quarterback Kirk Cousins in the 2026 season opener, even though rookie Fernando Mendoza, the first overall draft pick, is getting some chances with the starters during practice. ESPN reporter Adam Schefter said Mendoza’s playing time helps test him and gives Cousins a rest, but Cousins will begin the season as the starter unless his performance declines.
Key Facts
Kirk Cousins is expected to be the Raiders’ starting quarterback for the first game of the 2026 season.
Fernando Mendoza was the first overall pick in the NFL draft but may not start right away.
Mendoza is practicing with the first team to get tested and to give Cousins rest.
The last six quarterbacks picked first overall started their rookie season opener, but Raiders might do differently.
Mendoza played well in preseason, completing 10 of 16 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown.
Cousins led a scoring drive in his preseason series, completing five of six passes for 50 yards and a touchdown.
The Raiders' next preseason game will be broadcast on ESPN against the Houston Texans.
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Trey McBride, a player for the Arizona Cardinals, had a strong NFL season last year with many catches and touchdowns. He was ranked No. 13 on the NFL Top 100 players list for 2026, moving up a lot from before.
Key Facts
McBride tied for second place with 126 catches and 11 touchdown catches last season.
He gained 1,239 receiving yards, which was the sixth-best in the NFL.
The NFL Top 100 list is voted on by other players.
McBride jumped 52 spots to reach No. 13 overall.
Teammates and opponents praise McBride for his skills in catching and blocking.
McBride’s catch rate last season was 74%, and he aims to improve it.
The Cardinals’ quarterback Kyler Murray left the team; McBride will play with new quarterback Jacoby Brissett.
McBride’s favorite game last season included 12 catches, 134 yards, and two touchdowns.
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The Washington Commanders' defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton is injured and will miss a long time after surgery for a torn pectoral muscle. The injury happened during a preseason game, and Newton is expected to be out for several months, which could affect the team’s defense this season.
Key Facts
Jer’Zhan Newton tore his pectoral muscle in the second quarter of a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins.
Newton had surgery on the injury and will miss a significant amount of time.
Torn pectoral muscles usually take three to four months or more to heal.
Newton was the Commanders’ second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft from the University of Illinois.
Last season, Newton was a key defensive player with five sacks and several tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
Veteran teammate Tim Settle is still recovering from a serious foot injury.
Newton’s injury increases the importance of Settle’s recovery for the team’s 2026 defense.
The Commanders have upcoming games, making this injury a major setback before the regular season.
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Makai Lemon, the Philadelphia Eagles’ first-round draft pick, returned to practice after missing most of training due to a hamstring injury. He participated in a limited way during a joint practice with the New England Patriots as the team prepares for upcoming preseason games.
Key Facts
Makai Lemon was the Eagles’ 20th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Lemon won the Biletnikoff Award in 2025, which honors the best college wide receiver.
He missed most of minicamp and training camp because of a hamstring injury.
Lemon practiced with the team in a limited role during a joint session with the Patriots.
The Eagles have upcoming preseason games against the Patriots and Bengals.
Lemon joins a wide receiver group that includes DeVonta Smith, Dontayvion Wicks, and Hollywood Brown.
The Eagles are working to get Lemon fully healthy and ready for the season opener against the Washington Commanders on September 13.
Head coach Nick Sirianni expressed optimism about Lemon’s recovery and progress.
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Liverpool offered £50 million to Brighton for winger Yankuba Minteh, but Brighton rejected the bid. Liverpool wants to strengthen their attacking options after Mohamed Salah left and is also interested in other players like Bradley Barcola from Paris St-Germain.
Key Facts
Liverpool bid £50 million for Yankuba Minteh, who plays for Brighton.
Minteh is 22 years old, from Gambia, and has scored 10 goals with 9 assists in 73 games for Brighton.
Brighton bought Minteh from Newcastle in 2024 for £30 million.
Minteh is currently recovering from a leg injury suffered in a friendly game.
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola wants to improve the team's wide attacking players.
Liverpool signed Victor Munoz this summer from Osasuna for £34 million; he can play as a winger or forward.
Liverpool is also interested in Bradley Barcola from Paris St-Germain, but the clubs disagree on his price.
PSG wants about £145 million for Barcola, while Liverpool prefers to pay closer to £100 million.
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Fantasy football players often create unique and funny punishments for the person who finishes last in their league. This tradition has become popular worldwide and happens every year.
Key Facts
Many people participate in fantasy football leagues globally.
Players try to come up with creative punishments for the last-place finisher.
These punishments are meant to be funny or embarrassing.
This tradition is shared on the internet each year.
Fantasy football involves picking real NFL players to compete on virtual teams.
Last place in the league often results in a penalty or joke punishment.
The trend helps keep players engaged and adds fun to the competition.
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Officials will hold a briefing on Capitol Hill to share details about the upcoming Freedom 250 Grand Prix race happening on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. They will discuss safety rules, travel plans, and describe the race route, which is 1.7 miles long and passes famous landmarks.
Key Facts
The Freedom 250 Grand Prix will take place on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
A press briefing is scheduled for Thursday afternoon on Capitol Hill.
Officials will talk about safety measures for the event.
They will provide information to help with travel and access to the race.
The race course is 1.7 miles long.
Racers will pass by landmarks such as the National Archives, National Gallery of Art, and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.
The event is set for the upcoming weekend.
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The Detroit Lions finished the last season with a 9-8 record and did not make the playoffs, despite being NFC North champions. Head coach Dan Campbell said the team still has a chance to win the Super Bowl with the current group of players.
Key Facts
The Lions aimed to compete for the Super Bowl in the 2025 season.
They ended the previous season with 9 wins and 8 losses.
The team missed the playoffs last season.
Dan Campbell is the head coach of the Lions.
Campbell said their chance to win the Super Bowl is not over.
He emphasized building a strong team with depth rather than relying on one star player.
The Lions will start the 2026 season playing against the New Orleans Saints on September 13.
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Vita Vea, a key defensive player for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, signed a one-year contract extension keeping him with the team through 2027. Although he asked for a trade before training camp, Vea said he always wanted to stay in Tampa Bay and be part of the team long-term.
Key Facts
Vita Vea and the Buccaneers agreed on a one-year contract extension that runs through 2027.
The new deal includes $30 million in new money for Vea.
Vea requested a trade before training camp but stated he never wanted to leave Tampa Bay.
Vea has been selected twice to the Pro Bowl, an all-star game for top NFL players.
The Buccaneers’ general manager praised Vea as a leader and key player for the team’s defense.
Vea’s role is seen as important in building the team’s winning culture and future success.
The Buccaneers will start their season on September 13 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
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Lane Johnson of the Philadelphia Eagles expects running back Saquon Barkley to have a big season in 2026 with a new offensive coordinator. Barkley had a slower season last year but showed great success in 2024, and Johnson believes the team’s improved offense will help Barkley make more big plays again.
Key Facts
Saquon Barkley had one of the best rushing seasons in NFL history in 2024 with over 2,000 yards.
In 2025, Barkley’s rushing yards dropped to 1,140, and his yards per carry decreased from 5.8 to 4.1.
The Philadelphia Eagles hired Sean Mannion as their new offensive coordinator for the 2026 season.
Lane Johnson, a veteran tackle, is returning from injury to lead the offensive line in 2026.
Johnson predicts Barkley will make more explosive runs and catches this season, similar to his 2024 performance.
Barkley struggled to make big plays last season, with only four runs over 20 yards and 13 games with fewer than 90 rushing yards.
Johnson was injured late in the 2025 season and missed games, possibly affecting the offense’s performance.
The Eagles start their 2026 season against the Washington Commanders on September 13.
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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is not playing in the upcoming preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as he continues to recover from a knee injury. Justin Fields will start at quarterback again, and Mahomes might return in the final preseason game or wait until the regular season starts.
Key Facts
Patrick Mahomes practiced fully during training camp after tearing two knee ligaments last season.
Mahomes did not play in the Chiefs' first preseason game and will also miss the next one against the Buccaneers.
Head coach Andy Reid said Mahomes will sit out the upcoming preseason matchup.
Justin Fields started the first preseason game and will start again against the Buccaneers.
Fields performed well last week, completing 4 of 4 passes for 41 yards and gaining 9 rushing yards.
Rookie quarterback Garrett Nussmeier also played well in the preseason opener.
The Chiefs' final preseason game is on August 28 against the Seattle Seahawks.
Mahomes might play in the last preseason game but could be rested until the regular season begins against the Denver Broncos.
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University of Louisville and other colleges are creating nonprofit groups to raise money and compete better in college sports. These nonprofits handle things like media deals and events to generate income, helping athletic programs cover rising costs and stay competitive.
Key Facts
Louisville spends over $40 million yearly on college sports but only football and men’s basketball make money.
Louisville created a nonprofit called Cardinal Ventures to find new ways to earn money from its sports brand.
Other schools like University of Kentucky, University of North Carolina, and LSU are also forming nonprofits or similar organizations.
These groups manage things like multimedia deals, hospitality packages, and events to boost revenue.
College sports programs face financial pressure due to paying athletes for using their name, image, and likeness (NIL).
Some universities are turning to private investments and large donations to support these nonprofits.
Louisville’s football stadium is also used for concerts by popular artists to generate extra profits.
There is concern that these nonprofits could make universities behave more like professional sports businesses.
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Advocates are concerned that increased commercial pressure from big college sports like football and basketball could harm women’s and Olympic sports programs. They urge donors to support these smaller sports through scholarships and funding to help them thrive amid changing college athlete payment rules.
Key Facts
College sports programs supply about 75% of U.S. Olympians in typical Summer Games.
A $2.8 billion settlement now allows schools to share over $20 million annually with athletes, mostly benefiting football and basketball.
Some believe this focus on lucrative sports risks underfunding women’s and Olympic sports.
A Senate bill is proposed to protect and fund women’s and Olympic sports.
Donors and philanthropists are encouraged to support women’s and men’s Olympic sports directly.
Tennessee Education Lottery CEO Rebecca Paul gave $12 million to create an endowed fund for women’s athletics at Butler University.
Paul noted past disparities in sports opportunities for women, highlighting the need for continued support.
Financial adviser Celene Funke warns that commercial pressures could harm entire athletic departments without proper safeguards.
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College athletes can now earn money from endorsements due to a 2021 Supreme Court decision. While nonprofits initially hoped to benefit from this change, most of the large payments have gone directly to the athletes. Some nonprofits have gained from partnerships with athletes, but their financial benefits remain small.
Key Facts
The 2021 Supreme Court case NCAA v. Alston allowed college athletes to receive payments for their name, image, and likeness (NIL).
Payments to college athletes have grown to nearly $2 billion annually.
Some nonprofits partnered with athletes for mentorship and community programs, such as Maryland's Youth Leadership Foundation.
Many NIL collectives were formed as nonprofits and allowed tax-deductible donations.
The IRS ruled in 2023 that NIL collectives do not qualify as tax-exempt nonprofits because their main purpose is paying athletes, which benefits private individuals rather than the public.
A 2025 settlement in House v. NCAA lets big universities share revenue from TV and ticket sales to pay athletes about $20.5 million per school annually.
Experts agree that nonprofits have seen only minor financial gains compared to athletes and colleges.
The hope that charities would gain significant benefits from NIL payments was short-lived.
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The Philadelphia 76ers have added LeBron James and Jaylen Brown to their team, joining existing stars Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid. Maxey recently worked out with Brown and James, saying their first workout went well and they communicated and worked hard together.
Key Facts
The 76ers signed NBA legend LeBron James and former NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown in the offseason.
Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid are already All-Star players on the team.
Maxey described their first workout as having great communication, energy, and serious effort.
Last season, Maxey averaged 28.3 points, 6.6 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game.
Embiid averaged 26.9 points and 7.7 rebounds per game last season.
Brown averaged 28.7 points, nearly 7 rebounds, and over 5 assists per game with his previous team.
LeBron James has shifted from a leading role to more of a supporting role recently but remains a strong player.
The players are building chemistry in the offseason to improve their chances of winning a championship this season.
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The Philadelphia 76ers have added Jaylen Brown and LeBron James to their team for the 2026-27 NBA season. Shaquille O'Neal expects the team to win an NBA championship this year with their strong lineup.
Key Facts
The 76ers traded for Jaylen Brown during the offseason.
LeBron James signed a two-year contract with the 76ers.
The expected starting lineup includes Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Brown, and James.
Shaquille O'Neal said the team has a "championship or bust" goal this season.
O'Neal believes Embiid and LeBron want to win a championship now.
The 76ers’ first game of the season is against the reigning champions, the New York Knicks, on October 20.
Shaquille O’Neal emphasized that the team has all the pieces needed to win immediately.
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Australian cyclist Maeve Plouffe said she was almost hit by a car during the first stage of the Tour of Britain Women race. The event honored British rider Fin Tarling, who recently died in a crash during another race, and organizers said they are taking rider safety very seriously after Plouffe’s report.
Key Facts
Maeve Plouffe, an Australian rider, nearly got hit by a car while racing on a roundabout.
The incident happened as she was trying to catch up to the main group after a tire puncture.
Cars from the public were on the course even though the race convoy was still nearby.
The moto escort (motorcycle officials) later improved safety conditions during the race.
This incident comes soon after the death of 19-year-old British rider Fin Tarling in a road accident during the Volta a Portugal race.
A tribute to Fin Tarling was held before the Tour of Britain Women started, including a photo and a minute of applause.
British Cycling Ventures, the race organizer, said rider safety is their top priority and they will investigate Plouffe’s experience.
Josh Tarling, Fin’s brother, is also a professional rider and is set to race in the upcoming Vuelta a Espana.
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The Southeastern Conference (SEC) in college football has not won a national championship for three years, breaking its long history of success. This season, the SEC hopes to end this drought despite facing tougher schedules with the addition of a ninth conference game.
Key Facts
The SEC won 19 national championships from 1990 until recently.
The last SEC national championship was won by Georgia in the 2021-22 seasons.
No SEC team has reached the national title game in the last three years.
The SEC added a ninth conference game this season, increasing the difficulty of schedules.
SEC teams have a combined record of 5 wins and 8 losses in the last three College Football Playoffs.
The Big Ten conference has won the last three national titles.
SEC coaches agreed to the tougher schedule hoping for future expansion of the playoff from 12 to 16 or 24 teams.
Coaches acknowledge the risks of a harder schedule but believe strong competition prepares their teams better.
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