Rashid Warraich’s Post

🏀 Exciting News in College Basketball! 🏀 Athletes of Tomorrow (AOT) is thrilled to see the continued evolution of opportunities for student-athletes, especially in the realm of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. As an organization dedicated to empowering young athletes, we're excited to share the latest development in college basketball: the introduction of a groundbreaking in-season tournament offering up to $2 million in NIL deals to participating teams. Named "Players Era," this tournament is set to take place over Thanksgiving weekend at the MGM Arena in Las Vegas, providing a unique platform for student-athletes to showcase their skills both on and off the court. According to reports by Front Office Sports, several esteemed programs including Alabama, Duke, Kansas, and Syracuse are already in talks to participate. This presents an incredible opportunity for athletes to not only compete at a high level but also to secure meaningful NIL agreements that can support their academic and personal development. What sets this tournament apart is its commitment to ensuring every team receives a minimum of $1 million in NIL dollars, with the potential for additional earnings based on performance. Operated by EverWonder Studio and AND1 CEO of basketball Seth Berger, plans are already in motion to expand the tournament to 16 teams by 2025. We're particularly excited to see the potential involvement of programs like Rutgers (which will boast former AOT standout Ace Bailey) and Duke, who boast impressive recruiting classes and top-tier talent. This tournament marks a significant step forward in recognizing the value of student-athletes' contributions and providing them with the support they need to succeed both on and off the court. As we continue to advocate for the holistic development of young athletes, we applaud initiatives like the "Players Era" tournament for creating opportunities that align with our mission of using basketball as a vehicle for academic and personal growth. Stay tuned for more updates as this exciting tournament unfolds, and let's cheer on the next generation of basketball stars as they shine on the national stage! #AthletesOfTomorrow #CollegeBasketball #NILDeals #PlayersEra #EmpoweringAthletes #BasketballDevelopment #Opportunities #AOTCommunity 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eYwHnxAd

🌟 Exciting Updates in the College NIL Space!🌟 Over the weekend, some significant developments occurred in the world of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) for college athletes: 1. Houston Cougars Score Big: Houston’s largest credit union, TDECU, has signed NIL deals with nine players from the University of Houston’s men’s and women’s basketball teams. This initiative, “TDECU Assists,” not only supports student-athletes financially but also involves them in performing acts of kindness on campus, boosting community engagement. This partnership, facilitated by LinkingCoogs, highlights how local businesses are investing in collegiate athletes to build stronger community ties (https://lnkd.in/gVA3kaRb). 2. Showcasing Talent: The Mad Dog Mania Showcase Tournament in Saratoga, NY, featured numerous college coaches scouting for talent. Events like these are becoming increasingly important as they provide high school athletes a platform to secure NIL deals even before stepping onto college campuses. This trend is transforming the recruiting landscape and creating new opportunities for young athletes.(https://lnkd.in/gpJBX3QN). It's an exciting time for college athletics, with significant potential for growth and change. #NIL #CollegeAthletics #StudentAthletes #HoustonCougars #CommunityEngagement #MidMajorPrograms #TalentShowcase #Recruiting #CollegeBasketball Feel free to share your thoughts or any recent NIL developments you’ve come across! 🏀📈

March Madness was at a crossroads Why it matters: To expand or not to expand the NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments past 68 teams is the big question facing the organization. The answers revolve around not only student-athlete experience and money, but also accessibility. The NCAA's Division I transformation committee is taking aim at eventually including 25% of eligible teams in sanctioned tournaments, but when -- or if -- that will be implemented remains to be seen. Currently, less than 20% of basketball programs end up being invited to participate. Not only that, but which teams would get into an expanded tournament field? Would it be squads from smaller schools, or middling programs in larger conferences? Right now, there are more questions than answers, and it seems to be about as complicated as picking a perfect bracket. 

When it comes to collegiate sports, Division I schools tend towards cutting programs in non-revenue generating sports to save costs, while Division III schools tend towards adding athletic programs to boost enrollment. #GreatCollegeAdvice #NCAA #CollegeAthletics

When it comes to collegiate sports, Division I schools tend towards cutting programs in non-revenue generating sports to save costs, while Division III schools tend towards adding athletic programs to boost enrollment. #GreatCollegeAdvice #NCAA #CollegeAthletics

Exciting news in the world of college baseball! The current scholarship restriction of 11.7 is expected to increase, with rosters expanding to 34 players. I believe this change will positively impact Black Americans signing to play college baseball, opening doors for many talented athletes. However, it's crucial to understand that while the scholarship amount may increase, not every college or university will have the funds to offer these scholarships. This change will significantly benefit well-resourced institutions, but we must remain vigilant to ensure equitable opportunities across all schools. At the end of the day, our LEAD Center For Youth Ambassadors can only sign one scholarship, and Kelli and I are committed to doing everything we can, proactively and deliberately, to ensure that each of our Ambassadors can receive a college education if they choose to attend, opting out of the MLB Draft to go to college at no cost to them or their family. What are your thoughts on this development? Let's discuss how we can continue to support our young athletes in achieving their dreams. [Read more about this change here](https://lnkd.in/e5HtapnZ) --- What do you think?

Lucy Valeski from The States Newsroom says that “NIL will probably be on many athletes’ minds when looking at schools. When athletes visit programs, they may weigh how much money a program could offer them, from outside sponsorships to potentially a direct check. Some have speculated that athletic programs will have to spend more money to get and keep the best players.” My 2 big question are how will families navigate this sort of thing and what will actually stand from this ruling? With tons of info out right now from different ADs on how this will impact title IX as well is there going to be an easy solution? The answer is no. There is a lot of work to be done to sort all this out. There is no going back now. It’s certainly a new horizon for collegiate athletics and the college athlete. https://lnkd.in/gWUNqu5N

With a lot of movement in the U.S. youth sports industry recently, this is yet another interesting one for the benefit of the athlete, but with potentially massive implications on the #collegesports & athletics landscape in the 🇺🇸. #CollegeRecruitment #StudentAthletes #AthleteRecruitment

#Collegesports in the U.S. hasn't become any less dynamic & interesting, considering the recent dynamic developments within youth sports , as well as the NCAA & the Power 5 conferences agreeing to settlement terms. #️⃣ Setting the scene for future athletes to get paid vs. their current status as "amateurs" #️⃣ Implications for the college sports market overall ⬇ Read below ⬇ Smarthlete #CollegeRecruitment #StudentAthletes #AthleteRecruitment

Have you heard about how NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals are revolutionizing college sports? A prime example is the University of Michigan football program, which has seen a remarkable boost thanks to NIL opportunities. NIL deals aren't just about individual gains; they're transforming entire teams. At U of M, these deals have brought new energy and resources, strengthening the program and enhancing the overall experience for athletes. This is a testament to the power of NIL in reshaping the landscape of college athletics, fostering not just individual success but also contributing to the growth and vitality of entire sports programs. For a detailed look at Michigan's experience and more insights into the NIL era, check out this fascinating read: How NIL Money Made Michigan Football Program Even Stronger. #NILImpact #CollegeFootball #MichiganFootball https://lnkd.in/eU7weZB4