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.
Duke, Amazon Reach Multi-Year Agreement to Televise Marquee Basketball Games
One of the biggest names in the sport has entered into a first-of-its-kind partnership with Amazon, as the latter's streaming service will televise three of the Blue Devils' marquee men's basketball games next season, the school announced on Thursday.
It marks Prime Video's first college sports partnership, as Amazon will have exclusive rights for three of Duke's biggest non-conference games next season:
- Nov. 25: vs. UConn in Las Vegas
- Dec. 21: vs. Michigan at MSG
- Feb. 20: vs. Gonzaga in Detroit
Beginning with the upcoming season, Prime Video will exclusively present three Duke neutral-site non-conference games over the next three seasons.
"It's exciting to bring this relationship with Duke University to life, and we're looking forward to presenting this premium college basketball showcase to fans around the world next season and beyond," said Charlie Neiman, Head of Sports Partnerships, Prime Video. "Duke basketball games transcend the schedule, and the creation of this all-new offering gives fans more of what we all want, marquee matchups featuring the most successful programs in the nation."
"In addition to our outstanding partnership with ESPN, we are excited to work with Prime Video on this groundbreaking initiative," said Nina King, Vice President and King-Compton Families Director of Athletics, Duke. "As Prime Video's first college sports partner, this collaboration not only expands the global reach of Duke Men's Basketball, but also creates meaningful opportunities for our student-athletes in a way that reflects innovation and excellence."
But, how, you ask, given that the ACC has a television rights deal with ESPN? Duke worked with the ACC and ESPN on future scheduling commitments – including playing in select additional ESPN-owned and operated men's basketball neutral-site events – in exchange for the ability to play these three neutral-site games, including participating in neutral-site events in the 2027-28 and 2028-29 seasons.
That said, the Big Ten notified the ACC and ESPN on Friday that it owns the rights of the announced neutral-site game between Duke and Michigan at MSG, according to Yahoo! Sports' Ross Dellenger. So, it looks like there could be some loopholes to iron out sooner rather than later.
While Duke continually churns out NBA talent and its recruiting classes are among the best in the country every year, the Blue Devils have now gained another advantage, both for their players and in the recruiting space: NIL money from Amazon.
Big 12 Reaches Private Capital Deal
Six months after the Big Ten put its private equity deal with UC Investments on hold, the Big 12 approved a five-year agreement with RedBird Capital Partners on Wednesday, becoming the first conference in major college sports to reach a league-wide, private capital deal. The deal was approved by all 16 university presidents and chancellors in the conference.
While it's unclear which Big 12 schools will consider taking the money, RedBird will provide the conference with a $12.5 million capital infusion and help create more commercial revenue.
It could also have ramifications on TV deals down the road, according to ESPN.
RedBird is the second-biggest shareholder of Paramount, which owns CBS and is working to acquire TNT. And that could help create additional television partners for the Big 12 during its next negotiating window. The league's current broadcast deal expires in 2031. Media rights deals for major conferences account for a majority of the revenue distributed to its members.
While it may yield a short-term gain due to the infusion of money, it could have long-term effects, given past talks of a possible super league and other factors in the ever-changing college sports landscape.
In December, Utah, which is a member of the Big 12, became the first school to land a private equity deal (Otro Capital).
Jameson Williams Files Lawsuit, Sues NCAA, Big Ten and SEC Over NIL Misuse
Williams is seeking to hold the NCAA accountable after not receiving any NIL compensation. The former Ohio State and Alabama wide receiver and current Detroit Lion sued the NCAA, Big Ten and SEC over allegations that they have used his name, image, and likeness – both during his time in college and since then – in court documents obtained by The California Post on Tuesday.
Williams, who played at Ohio State in 2019 and 2020 before finishing his collegiate career at Alabama in 2021, now wants money — and an injunction barring the defendants from using his NIL “for financial or any similar gain or reason without his consent and compensation.”
“To date, Williams has received no fair compensation from Defendants for the full commercial value of his name, image, and likeness. Defendants continuously financially benefit from Jameson Williams’ name, image and likeness rights, while also doing so without providing him with just compensation.
In addition, Williams also wants "the social media earnings that (he) would have received but for Defendants’ unlawful conduct” as well as a cut of the “the game telecast group licensing revenue” he said the defendants earned, in part, due to his success at Alabama.
“Plaintiff received less — zero — than he otherwise would have received for the use of his name, image, and likeness in a competitive marketplace, and was thus damaged, and seeks to recover those damages."
The 12th overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft, Williams enters his fifth NFL season in the fall, all of which with the Detroit Lions. He agreed to a three-year, $83 million extension with the Lions in 2025 after back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons.
The 25-year-old was an All-American in his lone season at Alabama in 2021 following two seasons at Ohio State (2019-20).
ICYMI
A First Look at Ohio State’s 2027 NFL Draft Class, Led By Jeremiah Smith and Julian Sayin
Jeremiah Smith and Julian Sayin are among the 2027 NFL draft’s top prospects, and there are plenty of upperclassmen with the potential to join them in Ohio State’s next draft class.
2026 All-Buckeye NFL Team: Ohio State’s 53-Man Roster Includes Seven No. 1 Wide Receivers, Star-Studded Defense
We look at how a 53-man roster of NFL players from Ohio State would stack up in 2026, including a seven-deep stable of No. 1 wide receivers and a star-studded defense.
Who Could Replace Each of Ohio State’s 2026 NFL Draft Picks for the Buckeyes This Season
We take a look at who could replace each of Ohio State’s 11 picks in the 2026 NFL draft in the Buckeyes’ lineup this season.
What's Next
- 125 Days: Ohio State football opens season vs. Ball State
- 167 Days: The Buckeyes face Indiana in Bloomington
- 209 Days: The Game
