Own the group chat with The Weekender, highlighting the biggest stories in college sports, standout writing from Eleven Warriors, and a glance at what’s next.
GET-IN PRICES FOR CFP NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PUTS IT ON RECORD AS ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE TICKETS IN HISTORY
Indiana and Miami fans will have to back up a Brinks truck to get into the most prized game of the season, the College Football Playoff National Championship.
According to ESPN, Monday’s College Football National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, will be the most expensive ticket on average in the sport’s history — since tracking became available in 2009 — with an average sale price of $4,320 per VividSeats. In addition to the historic nature within the sport, the College Football Playoff National Championship will also be the highest average price for an event at Hard Rock Stadium in the last five years.
Not only will fans have to pay a substantial fee to get into the stadium, but they’ll also need to spend nearly a grand to park their cars.
$747: Cheapest PARKING on stadium grounds for National Championship game next Monday. #CFBPlayoff
— Andy Slater (@AndySlater) January 12, 2026
Theres a huge discount to cross the street using a walkway though. Those passes are $280.
(via @StubHub) pic.twitter.com/V1mTDlPe7L
Indiana and Miami square off on Monday at 7:30 p.m. The game will be televised on ESPN.
TRINIDAD CHAMBLISS SUES THE NCAA WHILE SEEKING SIXTH YEAR OF ELIGIBILITY
Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss is pulling out all of the stops to secure a sixth year of eligibility.
After the NCAA denied Chambliss a waiver for a sixth year of eligibility on Jan. 9, lawyers representing the Ole Miss signal caller sued the NCAA on Friday, Jan. 16, in the Chancery Court of Lafayette County in Mississippi, seeking permanent injunctions that would allow him to play next season for Rebels and coach Pete Golding.
Chambliss’ case rests on his claims that he struggled with respiratory issues during his sophomore season at Ferris State, causing him to miss the season. However, the NCAA ruled that Chambliss and Ole Miss didn’t provide the necessary medical documentation to prove those health issues caused him to miss the season.
Despite the NCAA’s ruling, Chambliss’ head coach at Ferris State, Tony Annese, supported Chambliss’ claims in a statement attached to the lawsuit, pointing to post-COVID-19 complications and chronic tonsillitis that greatly impacted his ability to perform during his sophomore season at the school. These claims were supported in a statement by Ferris State Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine Brett Knight.
Chambliss is represented by high-profile attorney Tom Mars in his case against the NCAA.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL ROCKED BY POINT SHAVING SCANDAL
In addition to Chambliss’ lawsuit, the NCAA is also embroiled in a widespread point-shaving scandal in college basketball.
According to a federal indictment in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, more than 39 players on 17 NCAA Division I teams played a role in fixing games for a gambling ring. The 17 teams named in the indictment were Abilene Christian, Alabama State, Buffalo, Coppin State, DePaul, Eastern Michigan, Fordham, Kennesaw State, La Salle, New Orleans, Nicholls State, North Carolina A&T, Northwestern State, Robert Morris, Saint Louis, Southern Mississippi, and Tulane.
“The stakes here are far higher than anything on a bet slip. The criminal charges we have filed allege the criminal corruption of collegiate athletics through an international conspiracy of NCAA players, alumni, and professional bettors,” said U.S. Attorney Metcalf. “It’s also yet another blow to public confidence in the integrity of sport, which rests on the fundamental principles of fairness, honesty, and respect for the rules of competition. When criminal acts threaten to corrupt such a central institution of American life, the Department of Justice won’t hesitate to step in.”
Several players named in the indictment played within the week prior to its announcement, and 20 of the 26 defendants played during the 2023-24 and/or 2024-25 season. The indictment notes that more than 29 NCAA games were impacted by this scheme.
The group of defendants included five “fixers,” including former NBA player Antonio Blakeney. The point shaving operation expanded beyond just college basketball, as the Chinese Basketball Association — which Blakeney played in from 2019 to 2024 — was also impacted by this scheme.
ICYMI
OHIO STATE TRANSFER PORTAL TRACKER: BUCKEYES ADD 16 TRANSFERS, LOSE 31 PLAYERS TO TRANSFER PORTAL
Stay up to date on Ohio State’s transfer portal news with Eleven Warriors’ transfer portal tracker.
Eleven Warriors’ Dan Hope caught up with Ohio State transfer quarterback Justyn Martin to discuss his decision to join the Buckeyes despite knowing he would play behind Julian Sayin.
Former Ohio State linebacker and current linebackers coach for the Buckeyes, James Laurinaitis, was selected to join the illustrious College Football Hall of Fame in 2026.
WHAT’S NEXT
- Women’s Basketball: @ No. 10 TCU, Monday at Noon ET on FOX
- Men’s Basketball: vs. Minnesota, Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. ET on BTN
- Football: vs. Ball State on Sept. 5
