uNILateral Decisions

The Political Fight Over College Sports Revenue

On this episode of uNILateral Decisions, Joe, Mike, and Sam break down the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 and why it may become one of the most important legal conversations in the future of college athletics. The crew explores how the SBA gave professional sports leagues a limited antitrust exemption to collectively negotiate television rights, why college athletics was left out after the Board of Regents decision, and what that has meant for the rise of conference-based media deals. They also dive into recent proposals — including “The SCORE Act” — that could allow the NCAA to centrally pool media rights and potentially create a national revenue-sharing structure. But would centralized control actually increase the value of college sports, or would it hurt the competition and market leverage conferences currently enjoy? The episode also examines: * Why the Big Ten and SEC may oppose centralized pooling * How streaming fragmentation could become a major consumer issue * Potential DOJ and FCC concerns surrounding future media models * Whether Congress could eventually regulate game windows, access, and consumer protections * The long-term risks of turning college sports into a subscription-heavy ecosystem This is a deep dive into the legal, business, and economic forces shaping the future of college sports media rights.

The Future of NIL Contracts: Buyouts, Revenue Sharing & Athlete Rights

College athletics is entering a new era of contracts, buyouts, and revenue sharing — but what should a “fair” deal between schools and athletes actually look like? On this episode of uNILateral Decisions, Dominic, Joe, Mike, and Sam break down the evolving legal and business structure behind NIL agreements and revenue-sharing contracts. The crew dives into transfer buyouts, athlete protections, incentives, multi-year deals, antitrust concerns, and the growing tension between player freedom and roster stability. They also discuss: • Why schools are pushing for longer-term contracts • Whether buyouts are actually enforceable • The legal issues surrounding transfer restrictions • Why “pay-for-play” language may hurt contracts more than help • What athletes should demand in return for long-term commitments • How colleges are slowly moving toward a professional sports model As college athletics continues to professionalize, this conversation explores what sustainable and realistic contracts could look like for both athletes and institutions.

College athletics eligibility is changing fast — and not everyone is benefiting equally.

On this episode of uNILateral Decisions, Joe, Mike, and Sam break down the NCAA’s new eligibility rule, the athletes and classes being left behind by the changes, and the growing legal questions surrounding fairness and consistency. The crew also dives into the recent tennis case and discusses whether it could create ripple effects across other sports and eligibility decisions moving forward.

Collective Bargaining in College Sports: Pipe Dream or Inevitable?

In this episode of uNILateral Decisions, Joe, Mike, and Sam tackle one of the biggest questions facing college athletics: could collective bargaining actually work? The conversation dives into the structural challenges of organizing athletes across schools, conferences, and even state lines, while unpacking what it would take to establish a unified voice. They explore the legal, logistical, and financial hurdles that make the model complicated—but not impossible. From comparisons to existing labor systems to potential paths forward, this episode lays out both the skepticism and the opportunity behind one of the most talked-about ideas in the future of college sports.

MMR Companies and NIL: Why the House Settlement Changes Everything

In this episode of uNILateral Decisions, the conversation dives into the shifting power dynamics of multimedia rights companies in college athletics—and how the House v. NCAA settlement could redefine their role. Traditionally, companies like Learfield, JMI Sports, and Playfly Sports have operated as intermediaries, guaranteeing revenue to schools while monetizing assets like sponsorships, signage, and media rights. But with NIL reshaping the ecosystem, those same companies are now stepping into athlete-related deals—blurring the lines between institutional partners and market participants. At the center of the debate is whether these MMR companies should be classified as “associated entities” under the House settlement, which would subject their deals to review by the College Sports Commission. That designation could significantly limit how they structure athlete compensation, raising questions about fairness, market value, and competitive balance. Meanwhile, some schools are already adapting by bringing NIL operations in-house—often still powered by their MMR partners—creating even more gray area in how these relationships are defined. The episode also explores the growing antitrust tension surrounding these restrictions. If third-party entities like MMR companies are capped or constrained in what they can offer athletes, does that cross into price-fixing territory? With antitrust exemptions historically rare and narrowly applied, the group examines whether the current framework can hold—or if it’s setting up the next wave of legal challenges. Ultimately, this discussion highlights a central truth: while the House settlement aims to create structure in a rapidly evolving system, the intersection of NIL, third-party rights holders, and athlete compensation is anything but settled.