College basketball
FILE - Kansas players celebrate a win over North Carolina after a college basketball game in the finals of the men's Final Four NCAA tournament, Monday, April 4, 2022, in New Orleans. College football and men's basketball players on scholarship in one of the major conferences can expect to soon earn a minimum of $50,000 each year he plays because of the influx of cash from so-called booster collectives brokering name, image and likeness deals. That prediction, based on market trends, was made this week by Blake Lawrence, co-founder and CEO of a company that helps athletes and schools navigate the ever-changing NIL landscape. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
North Carolina Tar Heels at Kansas Jayhawks 4/4/2022

May. 10, 2022 03:07 PM EDT

FILE - UConn's Paige Bueckers stretches during a practice session for a college basketball game in the final round of the Women's Final Four NCAA tournament April 2, 2022, in Minneapolis. In 2019, California became the first state to pass a law allowing athletes to earn money on endorsements, autograph signings and other activities, and by July 2021, the NCAA lifted its decades-old ban. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
As leaders lobby, NCAA searches for ways to rein in boosters

By Ralph D. Russo May. 05, 2022 06:09 PM EDT

FILE - Miami's Isaiah Wong (2) shoots and scores during the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the NCAA tournament against Southern California's Drew Peterson (13) March 18, 2022, in Greenville, S.C. An agent for Wong, a prominent college athlete finally said out loud what schools likely hear in private: Pay the player more, or he will transfer to a school that will. The demand made on behalf of Wong provided a rare glimpse into the way elite college sports have been transformed by student-athletes’ rights to earn money through endorsements. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)
Alabama Crimson Tide at Tulane Green Wave 3/21/2022

May. 05, 2022 04:47 PM EDT

FILE - UConn's Paige Bueckers stretches during a practice session for a college basketball game in the final round of the Women's Final Four NCAA tournament April 2, 2022, in Minneapolis. In 2019, California became the first state to pass a law allowing athletes to earn money on endorsements, autograph signings and other activities, and by July 2021, the NCAA lifted its decades-old ban. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
Miami's Wong shows college sports hurtles toward free market

By Jim Vertuno May. 05, 2022 04:45 PM EDT

FILE - Alabama coach Nick Saban watches players warm up for the College Football Playoff championship NCAA football game against Georgia on Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. Saban is concerned about the current state of college football. He recently told The Associated Press "I don't think what we’re doing right now is a sustainable model.” (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
AP source: SEC, Pac-12 leaders to push for NIL law in DC

By Ralph D. Russo May. 05, 2022 12:25 AM EDT

FILE - NCAA President Mark Emmert answers a question at a news conference April 6, 2014, in Arlington, Texas. Emmert is stepping down after 12 years on the job. NCAA Board of Governors Chairman John DeGioia announced the move Tuesday, April 26, and said it was by mutual agreement. Emmert will continue to serve in his role until a new president is selected and in place or until June 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
Final Four Basketball

Apr. 26, 2022 08:27 PM EDT

FILE - NCAA President Mark Emmert speaks at the opening business session of the NCAA convention Jan. 19, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. Emmert is stepping down after 12 years on the job. NCAA Board of Governors Chairman John DeGioia announced the move Tuesday, April 26, 2022, and said it was by mutual agreement. Emmert will continue to serve in his role until a new president is selected and in place or until June 30, 2023. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
NCAA President Mark Emmert stepping down no later than 2023

By Ralph D. Russo Apr. 26, 2022 08:24 PM EDT

FILE - Then-Ohio State receivers coach Stan Drayton calls out to players during NCAA college football practice in Columbus, Ohio, Aug. 16, 2011. New Temple coach Stan Drayton is one of 15 Black head coaches currently set to start next season at 131 FBS schools. (AP Photo/Terry Gilliam, File)
Temple, Maryland rare D-I schools with top Black leadership

By Ralph D. Russo Apr. 15, 2022 01:22 PM EDT

Lamar returning to Southland Conference after short WAC stay

Apr. 08, 2022 05:36 PM EDT
BEAUMONT, Texas (AP) — Lamar is going back to the Southland Conference after a short stay in the Western Athletic Conference, announcing plans Friday to return in...

FILE - In this July 17, 2017, file photo, Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby speaks to reporters during the Big 12 NCAA college football media day in Frisco, Texas. Bowlsby said Tuesday, April 5, 2022, that he will step away from his role as Big 12 commissioner later this year after a decade in that job. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)
Big 12 commish Bowlsby stepping away from role this year

By Stephen Hawkins Apr. 05, 2022 04:55 PM EDT

Baylor, AD Mack Rhoades agree on 10-year contract extension

Apr. 04, 2022 07:12 PM EDT
WACO, Texas (AP) — Baylor announced a 10-year contract extension for athletic director Mack Rhoades on Monday, saying the deal would allow him to “complete his...

FILE - Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz is shown during the second half of the Las Vegas Bowl NCAA college football game against Arizona State, Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021, in Las Vegas. Wisconsin’s fortunes the last two seasons generally have depended on how well quarterback Graham Mertz has protected the football. (AP Photo/L.E. Baskow, File)
Badgers QB Mertz remains upbeat after offseason speculation

By Steve Megargee Apr. 04, 2022 04:25 PM EDT

Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski talks with Mark Williams during practice for the men's Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, April 1, 2022, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Coach K on an NCAA revamp: 'Time to look at the whole thing'

By Eddie Pells Apr. 01, 2022 05:26 PM EDT

FILE - The Toronto Raptors play the New York Knicks during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden Monday, Nov. 1, 2021, in New York. Madison Square Garden won't host the NIT semifinals and championship game the next two years, according to a person with direct knowledge of the decision — ending a college basketball tradition that dates to 1938. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity late Wednesday night, March 23, 2022, because no public announcement had been made. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Toronto Raptors at New York Knicks 11/1/2021

Apr. 01, 2022 04:43 PM EDT

FILE - George Mikan, of the Minneapolis Lakers, polishes off the sign on the marquee of Madison Square Garden in New York, on Dec. 13, 1949. Madison Square Garden won't host the NIT semifinals and championship game the next two years, according to a person with direct knowledge of the decision — ending a college basketball tradition that dates to 1938. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity late Wednesday night, March 23, 2022, because no public announcement had been made. (AP Photo/Jacob Harris, File)
Column: NIT joins other sports tradition in fading away

By Paul Newberry Apr. 01, 2022 04:41 PM EDT

Connecticut's Paige Bueckers (5) reacts toward teammate Connecticut's Christyn Williams in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Marquette in the Big East tournament semifinals at Mohegan Sun Arena, Sunday, March 6, 2022, in Uncasville, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
SEC - Semifinal 2 (win) at SEC - Semifinal 1 (win) 3/6/2022

Mar. 30, 2022 04:19 PM EDT

Stanford's Cameron Brink and Anna Wilson defend Montana State's Darian White (0) and Kola Bad Bear in 1st quarter during NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship First Round game at Maples Pavilion in Stanford, Calif., on Friday, March 18, 2022.(Scott Strazzante/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)
Columbia Lions at Old Dominion Lady Monarchs 3/20/2022

Mar. 30, 2022 04:19 PM EDT

Stanford forward Cameron Brink (22) celebrates with teammates as confetti flies after Stanford beat Texas 59-50 in a college basketball game in the Elite 8 round of the NCAA tournament, Sunday, March 27, 2022, in Spokane, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Women's Final Four can be a financial windfall for players

By Pat Eaton-Robb Mar. 30, 2022 04:16 PM EDT

FILE -Saint Peter's Doug Edert, right, reaches for a pass past Purdue's Ethan Morton during the first half of a college basketball game in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA tournament, Friday, March 25, 2022, in Philadelphia. Kansas, Villanova, North Carolina and Duke will play in the first Final Four to take place under the new world of “name, image and likeness” endorsements in college sports. It allows college players to earn money through endorsements. And as his team's Cinderella run to the Elite Eight gained steam, Saint Peter's guard Doug Edert got into the act, announcing on Instagram that he'd struck a deal to hawk chicken wings.(AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
Saint Peter's Peacocks at Purdue Boilermakers 3/25/2022

Mar. 30, 2022 01:03 PM EDT

FILE -The March Madness logo is shown on the court during the first half of a men's college basketball game in the first round of the NCAA tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 20, 2021. Kansas, Villanova, North Carolina and Duke will play in the first Final Four to take place under the new world of “name, image and likeness” endorsements in college sports. It allows college players to earn money through endorsements. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
March Madness paying off for players under mishmash of rules

By Eddie Pells Mar. 30, 2022 01:01 PM EDT