NCAA clarifies compensation rules

Eleven months after the NCAA lifted most of its restrictions against athletes cashing in on their fame, college sports leaders are trying to send a warning to schools and boosters it believes have crossed a line: There are still rules here and they will be enforced.

But following last year’s Supreme Court ruling against the NCAA in an antitrust case, is a crackdown on so-called collectives brokering name, image and likeness deals still likely — or even possible?

“I didn’t think [the NCAA] would not try at some point,” said Maddie Salamone, a sports attorney and former Duke lacrosse player. “That’s why many attorneys have been kind of giving cautious advice in terms of what is and is not allowed. Especially when it comes to collectives and different NIL deals.”

The NCAA’s Division I Board of Directors on Monday approved guidance developed by a group of college sports administrators, clarifying the types of NIL payments and booster involvement that should be considered recruiting violations.

The NCAA added a reminder: Recruiting rules bar boosters from recruiting or providing benefits to prospects.

College basketball

Butler coach Thad Matta landed his second big man in less than a week, announcing the addition of 6-foot-11 Manny Bates from N.C. State. The grad transfer had 147 blocks, fourth in school history, and shot 64.7% from the field in two seasons with the Wolfpack. He played just one game last season after suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in the first minute of the season opener.

Tennis

Denis Shapovalov overcame a point penalty and a hostile crowd to beat local hope Lorenzo Sonego, 7-6 (5), 3-6, 6-3, in the first round of the Italian Open. Late in the second set, Shapovalov was given a code violation for unsportsmanlike conduct after hopping over the net to show the chair umpire a mark on his opponent’s side of the red clay court — which is not permitted. The umpire determined that Shapovalov’s serve was out, resulting in a double fault and a break point for Sonego. Then with the code violation, Shapovalov lost the game to trail, 5-3.

Soccer

Defender Miles Robinson, a key figure in the U.S. national team’s qualification for the World Cup, is almost certain to miss soccer’s marquee competition after his left Achilles tendon was ruptured in Atlanta United’s match Saturday. The MLS club announced Robinson would have surgery, ending his fifth pro season and dashing hopes of playing in the World Cup in November in Qatar.