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Morning Edition

August 28, 2025

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As money in college football grows, players are getting their share. Opendorse projects that those athletes will make nearly $2 billion this season.

— David Rumsey [[link removed]], Eric Fisher [[link removed]], and Alex Schiffer [[link removed]]

College Football Players Projected to Earn $1.9B This Year, Nearly Double 2024 [[link removed]]

Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images

The money made by college football players is projected to nearly double this year during the first season of revenue-sharing in college sports.

College football players are expected to earn $1.9 billion in 2025, according to a new report from NIL (name, image, and likeness) data platform Opendorse, which has direct insight into half of Power 4 and Group of 6 schools.

That’s almost twice as much as the $1 billion college football players were estimated to have made last year. Total earnings for college football players have risen by an average of $202.33 million each of the past three years.

Last year, Opendorse estimates college football players made $853.1 million from NIL deals facilitated by school collectives and $150.5 million from other commercial deals. This year, commercial money is projected to reach $290 million, while collective money is predicted to drop to $213.4 million.

However, with athletic departments now allowed to share up to $20.5 million of revenue [[link removed]] with athletes, “collegiate” money is projected to bring in $1.4 billion for college football players, per the report.

Total earnings for college football players are estimated to hit $2.4 billion in 2026 and $2.6 billion in 2027.

Pay Scale

The total amount of money earned by Power 4 football players this year is estimated by Opendorse to be 13.1% of the revenue generated by their schools.

When it comes to revenue sharing, the split varies between conferences, but quarterbacks are unsurprisingly receiving the highest percentage of revenue across Power 4 conferences. Here are the five highest-paid positions:

Quarterbacks: 18% Receivers: 15.13% Offensive linemen: 14.35% Defensive linemen: 13.1% Defensive backs: 12.23%

Linebackers are receiving 10.75% of revenue-sharing money, and running backs are getting 9.67%.

SPONSORED BY BURSON GLOBAL

TEDSports Indy: Sports Meets Innovation

This September, Indianapolis becomes a hub for sports innovation as TEDSports makes its debut. [[link removed]] Unlike typical gatherings, this TED event puts participants at the center of the action—from attempting field goals at Lucas Oil Stadium to executing pit stops at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

“We’re curating experiences that form memories and connections,” explains Neelay Bhatt, TEDSports co-chair [[link removed]]. “Participants don’t just hear about teamwork—they practice it under pressure.”

The participants include Paul “Triple H” Levesque, basketball icon Tamika Catchings, Indianapolis Colts co-owner Kalen Jackson, soccer legend Hope Stevens (Solo), FIFA men’s World Cup champion Gilberto Silva, and NFL Pro Bowler and EVP Troy Vincent.

Apply now for the event on Sept. 9–11. Visit tedsports-indianapolis.ted.com [[link removed]] to register and join visionaries reimagining the future of sports.

Fox, YouTube TV Avoid Blackout With Short-Term Deal [[link removed]]

Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

As federal pressure rose significantly over the last 24 hours, Fox and Google-owned YouTube TV have reached a new, short-term carriage agreement. The pact, at least for now, averts a blackout of the network’s content on the No. 4 U.S. pay-TV distributor with an estimated 9.4 million subscribers.

The companies said late Wednesday, just minutes after a 5 p.m. ET contract deadline, that they had reached a short-term extension that allows the parties to continue talks on a larger pact.

“We’ve reached a short-term extension with Fox to avoid service disruption for YouTube TV subscribers while we work on a new agreement,” YouTube said. “We’re committed to advocating on behalf of our members and will keep you posted on our progress.”

The agreement arrived as Federal Communications Commission chairman Brendan Carr weighed in on the situation [[link removed]], particularly calling on Google to strike a deal.

Though disputes such as this have become an annual tradition [[link removed]] marking the start of college and pro football season, this matter was ultimately resolved with far less public acrimony than a separate matter between ESPN parent Disney and Charter Communications [[link removed]] two years ago, and another between Disney and DirecTV last year [[link removed]].

The deal will keep in place the full distribution of Saturday’s college football mega-clash between No. 1–ranked Texas and No. 3 and defending national champion Ohio State.

The last-minute resolution also recalls a similar situation between YouTube TV and CBS Sports parent company Paramount [[link removed]], this past spring.

Earlier Wednesday, YouTube TV reached a separate distribution agreement with One America News, another conservative outlet friendly toward U.S. President Donald Trump. That pact may have also helped spur negotiations toward the Fox extension.

EVENT

The biggest names in sports media will be at Tuned In [[link removed]], Sept. 16 in NYC.

The roster includes Adam Silver, Rob Manfred, Kim Ng, Jimmy Pitaro, Maria Taylor, Ian and Noah Eagle, Jay Marine, Eric Shanks, Luis Silberwasser, a debate between Stephen A. Smith and Clay Travis, and more.

Don’t miss your chance to be in the room for these newsmaking conversations. Claim your seat [[link removed]].

Ryen Russillo Leaving Ringer, Dave Portnoy Expected to Invest in New Business [[link removed]]

YouTube/Ryen Russillo

Ryen Russillo’s time with The Ringer is coming to an end.

Russillo, one of the best-regarded sports talk hosts in the business, is poised to launch a new digital production company when his deal expires, sources told Front Office Sports. Dave Portnoy and Barstool Sports are expected to invest in the company, which will host his new show.

The sides are closing in on a commercial deal for a strategic multi-year partnership with Barstool for distribution, monetization, merch, and other infrastructure in Russillo’s new company. Sources said the deal is “inside the five-yard line” but has not been finalized.

Representatives for Russillo and Portnoy could not immediately be reached for comment.

Russillo has said on “The Ryen Russillo Podcast” recently that he is a looming free agent, with his contract at The Ringer expiring soon. The exact date of the end of his deal was not immediately known.

Russillo joined The Ringer, which was founded by Bill Simmons and is owned by Spotify, after leaving ESPN in 2019. In that time, his show has consistently been one of the top-ranked sports podcasts on Apple and Spotify.

NFL Continues to Loosen Tom Brady Restrictions [[link removed]]

Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

The NFL continues to loosen the Brady Rules.

Tom Brady will be able to attend Fox’s production meetings with players and coaches this season—remotely—an NFL spokesman confirmed to Front Office Sports.

Brady was largely barred from those meetings last season because of his other job as an owner of the Raiders, though the restrictions began to loosen near the end of the season.

Brady will still be barred from attending the meetings at team facilities, the league said.

The news of Brady being allowed into production meetings was first reported [[link removed]] by The Athletic.

Other restrictions remain in place as the quarterback turned Fox color analyst enters the second year in the booth. Brady signed a 10-year, $375 million contract with the network in 2022.

“Tom continues to be prohibited from going to a team facility for practices or production meetings,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in an email to Front Office Sports. “He may attend production meetings remotely but may not attend in person at the team facility or hotel. He may also conduct an interview off site with a player like he did last year a couple times, including for the Super Bowl. We evaluated the policy after his first year and believed it was fine for him to participate remotely in a production meeting.”

The restrictions are in place because of Brady’s role as a minority owner in the Raiders. He is part of a group that includes business partner Tom Wagner and former teammate Richard Seymour that bought 10% for $220 million; Brady has a 5% stake in the team.

In addition to being barred from team facilities, Brady’s ownership stake means he can’t criticize teams or officials and is subject to the NFL’s gambling and tampering policies.

A year ago, Brady’s situation raised eyebrows among league owners, who were skeptical of letting one of their peers into team facilities.

“ I think a lot of owners around the league [[link removed]] felt that was a potential conflict,” Chiefs owner Clark Hunt said in October 2024 when Brady’s stake was approved. “It’s hard to know whether it will be an actual conflict, but it can be a potential conflict or perceived conflict.”

Brady attended in-person production meetings ahead of the Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl in February.

An exception was made when the network broadcasted the Super Bowl in February when the Eagles beat the Chiefs. NBC will air Super Bowl LX this season.

Brady and Kevin Burkhardt will call Giants-Commanders in Week 1 on Sept. 7 followed by a Super Bowl rematch in Week 2.

Fox and the Raiders did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

FRONT OFFICE SPORTS LIVE

Making Waves in Miami

The fastest sport on water is making waves in Miami—and you can join to experience it.

On Nov. 6, just days before the E1 Miami GP, Future of Sports: The Next Wave [[link removed]]—presented by Front Office Sports and Courtside Sports Advisors, with official partners E1, Team Miami, and Campbell Capital Management—will bring together the sport’s top owners, investors, athletes, and celebrities for an exclusive, invite-only half-day experience.

E1 has already drawn private equity, global brands, and sports icons, and it’s on track to become the next Formula One.

Get insider access, build powerful connections, and see the future of this high-speed phenomenon up close.

Space is limited. Request your invitation [[link removed]] today.

Conversation Starters Tommy Fleetwood’s advice after finally winning his first PGA Tour event: “Be a good person first.” Watch it here [[link removed]]. Tim Tebow hosted his annual “Night to Shine,” an event that gives red-carpet treatment to people with special needs. Check it out [[link removed]]. Ben DiNucci was cut by the Falcons—the seventh time he has been released in his NFL career. On social media, he raved about how great the beer tasted at the airport on his way out. Take a look [[link removed]]. Editors’ Picks Disney Sues Sling TV Over $5 Day Passes Granting ESPN Access [[link removed]]by Eric Fisher [[link removed]]Newly introduced short-term subscriptions spark a legal challenge. Rashee Rice Suspended Six Games to Start NFL Season in Discipline Twist [[link removed]]by Ryan Glasspiegel [[link removed]]Rice will serve his NFL suspension sooner than initially assumed. Pac-12 Strikes New Football, Basketball Deal With The CW [[link removed]]by Amanda Christovich [[link removed]]The latest step in its resurrection after being picked apart in 2023. Question of the Day

Would you buy a 1-day streaming bundle?

YES [[link removed]] NO [[link removed]]

Wednesday’s result: 53% of respondents would not cancel their streaming TV subscription if they were on the verge of missing a big game.

Advertise [[link removed]] Awards [[link removed]] Learning [[link removed]] Events [[link removed]] Video [[link removed]] Shows [[link removed]] Written by David Rumsey [[link removed]], Eric Fisher [[link removed]], Alex Schiffer [[link removed]] Edited by Matthew Tabeek [[link removed]], Or Moyal [[link removed]], Catherine Chen [[link removed]]

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