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Big Idea
In the world of sports betting, there is an old, cynical adage: "Nothing is guaranteed in this world but death, taxes, and Chinese basketball." For a group of 26 individuals recently named in a sweeping federal indictment, that cynical joke was a business model, one that eventually migrated from the professional courts of China to the locker rooms of NCAA Division I programs.
Federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania recently unsealed a 70-page indictment detailing an international criminal conspiracy to fix games between September 2022 and February 2025. The case represents one of the most significant threats to collegiate athletic integrity in the modern era, exposing how the modern era of NIL has created a new class of vulnerable targets for organized crime.
College NIL
In the rapidly evolving landscape of college athletics, the "Litigation Era" of NIL has officially moved from theoretical debates in boardrooms to the courtroom. With the recent litigation at Georgia’s and Washington’s programs, it appears that this CFB offseason is serving as the testing ground for just how much power NIL contracts hold.
The latest flashpoint involves Duke University and its star quarterback, Darian Mensah, in a case that could fundamentally redefine the power dynamics between institutions and athletes.
By The Numbers
Numbers That Jumped Off the Page
$8.99- In a move that could signal the death of the traditional $80 pay-per-view model, UFC events are moving to Paramount+ for just $8.99 a month. It’s a massive bet that volume and monthly retention are more valuable than one-off premium price tags.
$100,000- In their first-ever "Fans First Report," the Savannah Bananas revealed they’ve moved far beyond a viral sideshow, selling 2.2 million tickets and nearly 2 million pieces of merch in 2025. The business of "Banana Ball" is now so lucrative that players are averaging over $100,000 in salary, and the league is expanding to six teams as it eyes a rumored $1 billion valuation.
39.6 Million- The NFL’s divisional round opened with a historic bang as CBS averaged 39.6 million viewers for the Bills-Broncos overtime thriller, making it the most-watched Saturday NFL playoff game ever.
325 Million- Netflix credited its move into live sports, specifically the NFL’s Christmas Day games, for a massive Q4 subscriber surge, pushing its total past the 325 million mark. The streamer is so confident in the "sports-as-acquisition" model that it’s projecting a doubling of its ad revenue by the end of 2026.
Pulse Check
Last week, we asked BTS readers, “With several high-profile NBA and MLB jersey patch deals coming up for renewal, who do you expect the 'Next Gen' of sponsors to be dominated by?” Here’s what they thought.
With the Savannah Bananas now paying players over $100,000 and eyeing a $1B valuation, what is the most significant lesson for traditional minor league sports?
- Entertainment First: Fans prioritize the "show" over the competitive outcome.
- Direct-to-Consumer Power: Owning the distribution and merch pipeline is the only way to scale.
- Scarcity Marketing: The "sold-out" touring model is more profitable than a fixed home schedule.
- It’s an Outlier: This model works for the Bananas but isn't a repeatable blueprint for others.
- Other
The Highlight Reel
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