📰🏟️ $140M for Olympians
Plus: NCAA approves 5-yr eligibility…
Good afternoon. Today’s edition brings you the top news from around the sports world. Let’s get right to it.
—Kyle
Breaking: LA Lakers star Austin Reaves will reportedly sign a 4-yr, $185M max contract to return to the franchise.
1) NBA Draft Round 1 is in the books
The top picks in last night’s NBA Draft played out largely as expected, with the Wizards selecting BYU F AJ Dybantsa with the #1 overall pick.
- Kansas G Darry Peterson (Jazz), Duke F Cam Boozer (Grizzlies), UNC F Caleb Wilson (Bulls) and Illinois G Keaton Wagler (Clippers) rounded out the top-5.
- In one of the biggest surprises, the Mavericks picked Michigan F Morez Johnson Jr. at #9, reuniting him with Michigan head coach Dusty May (who joined the Mavs on Monday).
- The NBA Draft concludes with Round 2 tonight, with the defending champion Knicks selecting 1st with the #31 pick.
Draft grades: pick-by-pick analysis of Round 1
2) NCAA approves 5-season eligibility for athletes
The NCAA Division I Cabinet unanimously approved a new rule granting athletes a max of 5 seasons of eligibility across 5 years, replacing the current model of 4 seasons across 5 years.
- This 5-year clock would begin upon an athlete’s initial full-time enrollment, or the start of the academic year after turning 19.
- Athletes who completed their 4th season without a redshirt by spring 2026 would not be granted another year.
- The move would eliminate the use of redshirts and eligibility waivers, which have drawn legal scrutiny.
- The NCAA’s new rule will also have its day in court; two prominent attorneys told Front Office Sports they’re preparing lawsuits on behalf of 50+ players who wouldn’t benefit from the new model.
3) White Sox continue surprise worst-to-first run
The Chicago White Sox moved into sole possession of 1st place in the AL Central after beating the Guardians 2-1 last night, continuing a remarkable turnaround on the South Side.
- The White Sox (41-37) have now matched their entire win total from the disastrous 2024 season that set a modern MLB record for losses (41-121).
- After another last-place finish in 2025, Chicago has turned things around this season thanks to a HR-slugging lineup anchored by Japanese 1B Munetaka Murakami (20 HRs).
Winds of change are blowing in Chicago
4) Olympians to receive cash from new $140M fund
The International Olympic Committee this morning pledged to establish $10K grants which athletes can apply for, totaling ~$140M in payouts every 4 years.
- The grants will first be available to the nearly 3K athletes who competed at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games, followed by the ~11K athletes at the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Games.
- The grant was announced by IOC member and former NBA star Pau Gasol, who said all Olympians are eligible if they haven’t violated ethics or anti-doping rules.
It finally pays to be an Olympian
5) NFL denies Sorsby’s supplemental draft request
Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby’s application for the NFL Supplemental Draft was denied by the league yesterday, forcing him to wait until the 2027 draft to join a team.
- In a letter to Sorsby, the NFL cited numerous issues with his application, like failing to address his NCAA ban for repeatedly betting on sports (including his own team).
- Sorsby's attorney, Jeffrey Kessler, called the NFL's decision "a violation of the CBA and the law" and pledged to “pursue this immediately with the NFLPA."
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