New reality for college sports on full display in Wong case
Leagues, schools and some coaches worry the new free-for-all upends competitive balance, disrupts rosters and pushes more control over NCAA athletic programs to outside forces.
Professional Athletes
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Fever take two Baylor players, former Indiana Miss Basketball in draft
The Fever went into Monday night’s three-round draft with seven picks overall and ended up with two players from Baylor and one each from Louisville, Stanford, Jackson State, South Carolina and Indiana University.
Ryan eager for new start with Colts after 14 seasons in Atlanta
The 14-year NFL veteran and 2016 league MVP left Atlanta and arrived at his new team complex Tuesday, hoping to become the third straight veteran quarterback to win a Super Bowl in his first season with a new team.
Top colleges accused of violating Black athletes’ rights
A group that advocates for college athletes has filed a federal complaint that claims NCAA Division I schools are violating the civil rights of Black basketball players and major college football players by prohibiting compensation.
IU athletes gain avenue to use NIL to support not-for-profit groups
Hoosiers For Good Inc. plans to partner with dozens of organizations across the state and help them connect with “community-minded athletes” at Indiana University to amplify fundraising, awareness and volunteerism efforts.
Longtime Colts tight end Jack Doyle announces retirement
A graduate of Indianapolis Cathedral High School and a former ball boy for the Indiana Pacers, Doyle played all 131 games of his nine-year career with his hometown football team.
MLB cancels opening day after sides fail to end lockout
With owners and players unable to agree on a contract to replace the collective bargaining agreement that expired Dec. 1, Commissioner Rob Manfred canceled the first two series for each of the 30 teams, cutting each club’s schedule from 162 games to likely 156 at most.
UPDATE: MLB delays labor-deal deadline to Tuesday for March 31 start
Players and management started their eighth straight day of bargaining Monday at 10 a.m. and didn’t recess talks until 2:30 a.m. Tuesday.
NFL to allow thousands of fans into Lucas Oil Stadium for scouting combine
The NFL will offer free admission for its primetime activities at Lucas Oil Stadium, with seating in the 100 and 200 levels—the areas closest to the field. It’s a marked shift in strategy after decades of limiting public access to much of the event.
American women players settle suit vs. U.S. Soccer for $24M
U.S. women soccer players reached a landmark agreement with the sport’s American governing body to end a six-year legal battle over equal pay, a deal in which they are promised $24 million, plus bonuses that match those of the men.
WNBA considering expansion, changes to playoff format
The WNBA finds itself at a crossroads, of sorts, as viewership of the league continues to trend upward. With interest at an all-time high, but only 12 franchises in the league, the constant conversation centers on expansion.
NLRB: College football players are employees, can unionize
National Labor Relations Board General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo also threatened action against schools, conferences and the NCAA if they continue to use the term “student-athlete,” saying that it was created to obscure the employment relationship with college athletes and discourage them from pursuing their rights.
Former Pacer Jerry Harkness, a trailblazer on and off the court, dies at 81
Harkness led Loyola University Chicago to a barrier-breaking national college championship in basketball in 1963 and went on to a pioneering career in fundraising, broadcasting and business in Indianapolis.
Q&A with Scott Tarter, who’s turned ABA fandom into business and charity
An attorney for Bose McKinney and Evans LLP, Tarter has initiated business ventures that raise funds for the Dropping Dimes charity, which distributes money to former ABA players in need.
Drew Brees, former teammates partner on central Indiana stretching studios
Stretch Zone opened its first of three planned new Indiana franchises in Zionsville last month. Fishers resident Ben Smith, who co-owns the franchise with former NFL star Drew Brees, said he’s hoping to eventually open locations across the state.
Colts lock up Darius Leonard with NFL’s richest linebacker contract
The two-time All-Pro agreed on Sunday to a five-year contract extension that tops the five-year, $95.225 million contract Fred Warner recently signed with San Francisco, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.
Colts, 3 other NFL teams remain under 50% vaccinated, source says
Pittsburgh, Miami, Carolina and Denver have the highest vaccination rates and are among 10 teams that have achieved at least 85%.
Former Colts great Manning doesn’t rule out future role with Broncos
Peyton Manning has lived in Denver since retiring from the NFL a month after becoming the first quarterback to win Super Bowls with two different teams.
Even as college athletes get paid, more hoops prospects skip college altogether
This month, the dam finally broke on college athletes getting paid as the NCAA scaled back its rules. But as some athletes cash in on that shift, a growing number of young basketball players are forgoing college and even high school to play in upstart professional leagues.
Explained: The NCAA and impact of NIL compensation
Here are some questions and answers about “NIL,” the shorthand most commonly used for athlete compensation tied to use of their name, image or likeness.