Friday, May 6, 2022   
 
Mississippi college graduations: What to know about the ceremonies
Mississippi's public colleges are holding commencement ceremonies starting this week and continuing into the middle of the month. Several commencement events will take place at Mississippi State University: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine commencement: May 11, 11:30 a.m., Humphrey Coliseum, on campus, 55 Bailey Howell Drive, Starkville. An awards ceremony will take place from 10 to 11 a.m. Contact the Vet School for more information at 662-325-1078. Doctoral graduation and hooding ceremony: May 11, 3 p.m., Bettersworth Auditorium in Lee Hall on campus, 262 Lee Blvd., Starkville. Invitation only event for the graduates and their guests. Contact The Graduate School about the ceremony at 662-325-7400. Three commencement ceremonies will be held for undergraduates, master's graduates and educational specialists at the main campus: College of Education and College of Business: May 12, 3:30 p.m., Humphrey Coliseum on campus, 55 Bailey Howell Drive, Starkville. College of Arts and Sciences and College of Architecture, Art and Design: May 13, 9:30 a.m., Humphrey Coliseum on campus, 55 Bailey Howell Drive, Starkville. Bagley College of Engineering, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, College of Forest Resources, College of Veterinary Medicine, Academic Affairs: May 13, 3:30 p.m., Humphrey Coliseum on campus, 55 Bailey Howell Drive, Starkville. Meridian Campus commencement: May 12, 11 a.m., MSU Riley Center, 2200 5th St. Tickets are required to attend commencement, and there is a limit of eight guests per graduate.
 
Hosemann talks water, sewer with local officials
Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann met with Meridian and Lauderdale County officials Thursday to talk about the state's fund-matching program for water and sewer projects. Earlier this year, the State Legislature earmarked $750 million of Mississippi's American Rescue Plan Act funds to help fund water and sewer projects at the local level. Of that, $400 million was allocated for one-to-one matching for large cities and counties that received more than $1 million in ARPA funds. "You will apply for the water and sewer to the Department of Environmental Quality, the DEQ," he said. "I talked with DEQ, I met with them about a week ago. They're in the process of doing this, and they are establishing someone to rank all the applications." In addition to the $400 million for larger cities and counties, Hosemann said an additional $50 million was set aside for smaller cities that received less than $1 million in ARPA funds. Matching funds for those cities, he said, will be a two-to-one match with the state providing two dollars for every one dollar locally. The applications should be ready within the next few months, Hosemann said. DEQ will begin ranking the applications after July 1, he said, and look to have the funds distributed by the end of the year. "Before the end of the year we will begin making those grants out of DEQ for water and sewer," he said. In addition to water and sewer, Hosemann said, the Legislature tackled a “plethora” of issues during this year’s legislative session including a massive teacher pay raise, banning critical race theory, passing medical marijuana, a historic income tax cut and working to address election laws.
 
Lt. Gov. Hosemann: Parchman's long-term survival is 'problematic'
Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann, one of the state's most powerful politicians, is casting doubt on the future of the Mississippi State Penitentiary's ability to house inmates at a level that would satisfy the Department of Justice. Hosemann, a Republican, told the Daily Journal editorial board last week that even though the state has made some episodic improvements to the facility, also known as Parchman, it could be difficult to systematically improve the prison. "Parchman is horrific," Hosemann said. "Whether or not it can be maintained is problematic to me. I will just tell you we've got a lot of money right there. We have difficulty with staffing. Of course, we have a lot of outmigration in the Delta." The leader of the state Senate's comments come on the heels of a scathing report from the justice department that found that the prison fails to provide adequate mental health treatment to incarcerated people, subjects them to lengthy periods of solitary confinement and fails to protect them from routine violence. According to the federal report, the underlying reason the state has trouble protecting prisoners is because of low staffing levels. Overall, the immediate decision of what to do about Parchman in light of the report would be left up to Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves and Burl Cain, commissioner of the state Department of Corrections, who was appointed by Reeves.
 
US added 428,000 jobs in April despite surging inflation
America's employers added 428,000 jobs in April, extending a streak of solid hiring that has defied punishing inflation, chronic supply shortages, the Russian war against Ukraine and much higher borrowing costs. Friday's jobs report from the Labor Department showed that last month's hiring kept the unemployment rate at 3.6%, just above the lowest level in a half-century. The economy's hiring gains have been strikingly consistent in the face of the worst inflation in four decades. Employers have added at least 400,000 jobs for 12 straight months. At the same time, the April job growth, along with steady wage gains, will help fuel consumer spending and likely keep the Federal Reserve on track to raise borrowing rates sharply to fight inflation. Early trading Friday in the financial markets reflected concern that the strength of the job market will keep wages and inflation high and lead to increasingly heavy borrowing costs for consumers and businesses. Higher loan rates could, in turn, weigh down corporate profits. "With labor market conditions still this strong -- including very rapid wage growth -- we doubt that the Fed is going to abandon its hawkish plans,″ said Paul Ashworth, chief U.S. economist at Capital Economics.
 
Ukrainian farmers struggle after Russian forces damage and destroy farmland
For Ukrainian farmer Anatolii Kulibaba, this year's planting season comes with anguish. Kulibaba is among many who were forced to flee their land as Russian forces moved in with their tanks. In the first few days of the war, Russian soldiers delivered an even crueler blow: They killed Kulibaba's son, Oleksandr, as he was traveling to their village of Bilka, 25 miles from the Russian border. "He was just 45. He had his whole life ahead of him," Kulibaba says. Two months later, Kulibaba, 70, is still trying to work through the pain, but it's a struggle. He desperately misses his son, who also led most of the farm duties. Kulibaba says he could really use Oleksandr's help right now, trying to restart production after Russian forces took over and destroyed parts of their farm. Ukraine is one of the biggest producers of wheat, corn and sunflower oil, and the war has wreaked havoc on the so-called "breadbasket of Europe." Ukraine and Russia together account for over a quarter of the world's wheat exports. Ukraine's Ministry of Agriculture now says that 30% of the country's farmland is occupied or unsafe. The war's disruptions have led to surging prices and raised fears of food shortages in parts of the developing world. Kyiv-based trade analyst Elena Neroba warns the global impacts will be profound, as families in developing nations who relied on Ukrainian crops will struggle to afford more expensive wheat. She points to places like Indonesia, which imports 28% of its wheat from Ukraine, and Bangladesh, which gets 21%. Egypt imports almost 80% of its wheat from Ukraine and Russia.
 
NASA climate research scientist wins World Food Prize
A NASA climate research scientist who has spent much of her career explaining how global food production must adapt to a changing climate was awarded the World Food Prize on Thursday. Cynthia Rosenzweig, an agronomist and climatologist, was awarded the $250,000 prize in recognition of her innovative modeling of the impact of climate change on food production. She is a senior research scientist at the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies and serves as adjunct senior research scientist at the Columbia Climate School at Columbia University, both based in New York. Rosenzweig, whose win was announced during a ceremony at the State Department in Washington, said she hopes it will focus attention on the need to improve food and agricultural systems to lessen the effects of climate change. "We basically cannot solve climate change unless we address the issues of the greenhouse gas emissions from the food system, and we cannot provide food security for all unless we work really hard to develop resilient systems," she told The Associated Press during an interview ahead of the ceremony. Nobel Prize laureate Norman Borlaug created the World Food Prize in 1986 to recognize scientists and others who have improved the quality and availability of food. Rosenzweig will receive the award and make a speech during an October ceremony in Des Moines.
 
USM students and faculty rally for higher wages
Multiple students and faculty members at the University of Southern Mississippi rallied for change. In 2013, USM president Dr. Rodney Bennett raised the minimum pay at the university to $21,000 annually. Now, some people are demanding an increase to a minimum of $15 an hour. Those gathering hoisted signs with sayings such as "We want 15" and "No More Poverty Wages." Some members of the group chanted, "What do we want? 15! When do we want it? NOW!" The group marched to the administrative office and presented Bennett with a folder filled with signed pledges of people who support the raise. Bennett came out and addressed the crowd. "I've got my materials, so we will take a look at it," said Bennett. "Thank you." It is unclear what the next move from the university will be.
 
Georgia lawmakers approve $49M to renovate laboratory space on UGA's Science Hill
During the recent legislative session, state lawmakers voted to support the University of Georgia's growing research enterprise by investing close to $49 million to complete the renovation of 186,000 square feet of laboratory space on a section of campus called Science Hill. The ongoing project is part of a comprehensive capital strategy aimed at modernizing Science Hill's laboratories. "Strengthening the university's vital research infrastructure will help us attract and retain high-performing faculty, staff and students," said UGA President Jere W. Morehead. "I am grateful to the governor, General Assembly, chancellor and Board of Regents for their support of this and other institutional priorities." Renovation and modernization of facilities is essential to keep pace with the university's growth in research and innovation, which has been fueled by advancements in the fields of infectious diseases, plant sciences, behavioral research, animal health, informatics and many others. In Fiscal Year 2021, research and development expenditures at UGA reached nearly $495 million, an all-time high. Since 2013, R&D expenditures have increased by 41%. For the past eight years, the institution has been ranked among the top five in the nation for the number of new products entering the market based on faculty research. This growth has presented challenges, particularly on Science Hill, where most buildings were constructed in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
 
'Excited about what he will do.' U. of Kentucky names its next provost.
The University of Kentucky has named its acting provost and dean of the College of Medicine as the next provost of the university. Robert DiPaola, who has been the acting provost since last July, will become the provost at UK. DiPaola was one of four finalists for the position. UK President Eli Capilouto praised DiPaola for his time as acting provost, saying his tenure was "marked by important progress on key institutional objectives and steady, focused and collaborative leadership." "I am excited about what he will do, along with the rest of our leadership team, deans and colleges, to continue our progress," Capilouto said in an email announcing the appointment. DiPaola was the dean of the College of Medicine at UK before becoming acting provost. He has a medical background, and has worked at UK for six years. He previously worked as the director of the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey. He became acting provost after the previous Provost David Blackwell stepped down from the position to pursue other job opportunities.
 
Texas A&M, Prairie View A&M announce new partnership
A multifaceted partnership between Texas A&M and Prairie View A&M universities was announced last week that aims to increase the opportunities of students and faculty at both campuses, according to Texas A&M Today. Partnerships among Texas A&M System's 11 universities and eight state agencies have been encouraged by Texas A&M Chancellor John Sharp, according to Texas A&M Today. Officials from both universities told the publication that the partnership will focus on four key areas: faculty exchange, student programs, scholar exchange/support and community outreach. The universities have previously established partnerships that include graduate education enhancement and joint research grants, according to Texas A&M Today. Prairie View A&M also has been assisted by Texas A&M AgriLife via Healthy South Texas, a project that targets chronic diseases in an effort to make a Healthy Houston equivalent, according to the Texas A&M Today news release. "The best opportunities, however, may arise from this partnership between Texas A&M and Prairie View A&M because they are both land-grant universities. I am pleased that the presidents of these institutions are pursuing this important effort," Sharp told Texas A&M Today. Texas A&M President Dr. M. Katherine Banks said in the release that Sharp had a strong vision for the partnership between the institutions and is a powerful advocate for the universities within the Texas A&M System.
 
U. of Missouri to discipline 13 students in fraternity alcohol hazing case
The University of Missouri will take disciplinary action against 13 students for their roles in an October fraternity party that left then-freshman Daniel Santulli unresponsive from alcohol poisoning. The university said it forwarded the results of its investigation to the Boone County prosecutor, meaning criminal charges could be on the way. Additionally, Santulli's family has settled with nearly all of the defendants in their civil lawsuit over his hazing-related injuries, including the national Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. Their attorney, David Bianchi, said they have filed a motion to approve the newest wave of settlements, which leaves only three defendants out of 23 in the case with the possibility of more settlements to come. A hearing on defendants' dismissal motions will take place Tuesday. The identities of the 13 students facing sanctions are unknown; MU declined to provide that information, citing the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. However, an MU news release mentions suspension and expulsion as examples of possible sanctions. Students sanctioned by the university will receive "the option to contest the proposed sanctions at a hearing and the opportunity for appeal," according to the university.
 
Cyberattacks Against Colleges Add to Financial Strain
Cyberattacks against colleges are on the rise, according to a recent report from credit agency Fitch Ratings, which notes increases in the number and severity of such attacks since 2020. The spike comes at a time when institutions are already under financial stress. The report notes that sensitive data such as intellectual property and personally identifiable information make institutions of higher education appealing targets for attacks, which are often carried out by hostile foreign powers. Citing data from the cybersecurity firm BlueVoyant, Fitch reports that more than 200 universities have publicly disclosed they were the victims of cyberattacks that stole research data and intellectual property in the last two years. Though industrial and defense technology information is the primary focus of such attacks, the report notes that medical and biotechnology research are increasingly being targeted. Ransomware attacks -- instances where hackers demand financial payment to turn over stolen data -- against higher ed institutions doubled through 2020, according to data cited in the report. Recent examples reported by Inside Higher Ed include a ransomware attack on Kellogg Community College last week that temporarily shuttered all five campuses. Similarly, a cyberattack on Lincoln College that occurred in December 2021, coupled with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, was cited among the reasons institution decided to close.
 
Beware, new student loan borrowers: Interest rates are about to jump
With so much talk these days of when or whether President Biden will broadly cancel student debt – and with payments and interest on that debt paused for more than two years – it's easy to forget that the federal student loan system remains unchanged. And one part of that system is about to deliver a shock to many borrowers: Interest rates are going up, likely by quite a bit. "We're going to get bad news," says Robert Kelchen, an expert on higher education finance at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Interest rates on federal student loans are fixed, like a mortgage. A student who took out a new, undergraduate loan for this school year got a good interest rate: 3.73%. And that loan will remain at that rate for the life of the loan. The wrinkle, says Kelchen, is that "every year, interest rates reset based on the 10-year Treasury yield, plus some additional amount," a premium added to help cover the government's costs. That means borrowers who need help next year will have to take out a new loan at a new interest rate. Federal student loan rates change every May, based on the U.S. Treasury Department's auction of 10-year notes, which is set for 1:00 pm ET on Wednesday, May 11. And that's bad news for borrowers because, this year, as with mortgage rates and virtually everything else, student loan interest rates are sure to rise.
 
HBCU medical schools to tackle organ transplant disparities
A new initiative aimed at increasing the number of Black Americans registered as organ donors and combating disparities among transplant recipients was announced Thursday by a coalition that includes the four medical schools at the nation's historically Black colleges and universities. The collaboration follows a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine report, "Realizing the Promise of Equity in the Organ Transplantation System," that found significant disparities in the nation's organ transplant system. It was released earlier this year and commissioned by Congress, which wanted to examine equity within the donor organ procurement, allocation and distribution system. The initiative -- which was created by the Consortium of HBCU Medical Schools, the Organ Donation Advocacy Group and Association of Organ Procurement Organizations -- plans to create new opportunities for Black medical and nursing students to shadow organ procurement organizations and transplant centers and collaborate with partner HBCUs that offer programs in nursing, public health, public policy and health care administration. The initiative announcement was shared with The Associated Press first. The HBCU consortium behind the initiative includes the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Sciences in Los Angeles, Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee, and the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta.
 
Senators argue over who benefits from student debt cancellation
Senators sparred Thursday over who would benefit most from student debt cancellation, as President Joe Biden weighs his options about how far such a move should reach. Senate Banking Democrats upped the pressure on Biden to forgive a "meaningful" amount of outstanding student loans, saying at a hearing that cancellation of at least $50,000 would ease the disproportionate burden the debt places on Black borrowers. Republicans said canceling the debt would benefit wealthy households most and shift the cost from white-collar workers with advanced degrees to taxpayers. "It's clear to me that the No. 1 thing that the president of the United States can do right now to lower costs for Georgians and help close the racial wealth gap is to cancel student debt," said Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga. In response to questions from Warnock, Jalil Mustaffa Bishop, a professor at Villanova University in Pennsylvania and co-founder of the Equity Research Cooperative, said forgiving $10,000 in debt would not be enough to help Black borrowers. "If we canceled $10,000 today, that will still leave 83 percent of Black borrowers who not only still have student debt, but they have student debt where they owe more than they originally borrowed," Bishop said. Bishop added that student loan debt disproportionately burdens Black students, who are less likely to have family wealth to rely on. Republicans led by ranking member Patrick J. Toomey, R-Pa., said canceling student loans would most benefit wealthy households holding advanced degrees. Forgiving debt would be a "slap in the face" to anyone who skipped college, saved for school or had already paid off their debts, Toomey said.


SPORTS
 
Name brand SEC programs meet this weekend amid unusual circumstances
Pitching has been a problem for the Florida Gators. Mississippi State players will aim to keep it that way this weekend. The Bulldogs and Gators are in uncharacteristic positions with a combined 17-25 record in conference play as SEC baseball reaches the final month of the regular season. There are three SEC weekends left. Florida and Mississippi State begin the home stretch in Starkville with night games Friday (7 p.m.) and Saturday (6:30 p.m.) with a 1 p.m. start on Sunday. Friday's game will air on the SEC Network, Saturday's on ESPNU. The Bulldogs (25-20, 9-12 SEC) had shown some bounce-back from a slow start with consecutive series wins over a ranked Auburn team then at Ole Miss. That streak ended last weekend when last-place Missouri got a walk-off home run on Sunday to clinch the series. This weekend against an opponent that has shown some vulnerability will be important for defending national champion Mississippi State which needs more wins to position itself for a possible at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs' last two series are at No. 13 Texas A&M next week then at home against No. 1 Tennessee for the final weekend.
 
Mississippi State will honor three baseball legends Saturday
The Ron Polk Ring of Honor will welcome three new members on Saturday as the trio of Richard Lee, Frank Montgomery and Pete Young will be inducted at 3 p.m. on the Adkerson Plaza at Dudy Noble Field. The right field gates to Dudy Noble Field will open for the ceremony at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. The ceremony begins at 3 p.m. and is open to the public. MSU will face Florida that night at 6:30 p.m. No ticket is required for the Ring of Honor ceremony, but fans attending will be asked to clear the stadium and re-enter with a valid game ticket once gates open at 5 for the game. In addition to the Ring of Honor ceremony, plenty of other activities will be happening at Dudy Noble Field as Mississippi State takes on Florida this weekend, including: Friday Night Fireworks presented by Pearl River Resort, the Atlanta Braves World Champions Trophy Tour, Ring of Honor Baseball giveaways, Mother's Day at The Dude and Diamond Dawg Trading Card giveaways.
 
Atlanta Braves World Series Trophy Tour to stop at Dudy Noble Field May 7
The Atlanta Braves are thrilled about their historic World Series Championship season, taking the 2021 World Series Trophy on tour across the southeast. Fans will be able to take pictures with the trophy Saturday, May 7th from 5-8 pm when it stops at the Mississippi State University baseball game at Dudy Noble Field. A game ticket is required for entry.
 
'Maybe this does work': How Lucky Charms lived up to their name for Mississippi State softball
Sydney Carter held the red cereal box aloft, raising it above her head like a trophy. The Mississippi State freshman stood next to home plate in a throng of teammates, waiting for catcher Mia Davidson to enter the fray before lowering the package and patting Davidson on the helmet. It was a strange scene at John Cropp Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky -- an entire college softball team revering a box of Lucky Charms like some sugary god. But maybe, in context, it all makes sense. (Then again, maybe not). It started the prior weekend, when Missouri visited Kentucky for a weekend series. The Tigers shellacked the Wildcats, sweeping the three-game set and winning twice by run rule. Missouri fifth-year senior Kim Wert did particular damage, smashing four home runs on the weekend and going deep in every game. Wert finished the series 6 for 7 with 13 RBIs. "When they played Kentucky, she was hitting tank after tank on them," Davidson said. ESPN analyst Jen Schroeder took notice of Wert's final home run of the weekend, a grand slam in the Tigers' 9-1 win April 25. "What did (Wert) eat this weekend?" Schroeder asked on Twitter. "I ate Lucky Charms ... at least three bowls," Wert replied. Mississippi State visited Lexington the following weekend, and as fate would have it, the Bulldogs stayed in the very same hotel as the Tigers -- the place Wert consumed the cereal. That was all it took.
 
XFL to host HBCU showcase at Jackson State
The XFL, a revived pro football league owned by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, is scouting Mississippi for football talents. The league will host an HBCU showcase for players at Jackson State University on Saturday, July 16, as they look for players from HBCU schools to fill their teams' rosters. It's one of six planned showcases the league has scheduled over this summer. The players who impress the most at these events will be included in the player pool for the XFL Draft ahead of the 2023 season. "These showcases are an incredible opportunity for passionate players to show up and ball out for a chance to join the XFL," Johnson said in a press release. "The XFL is all about being at the intersection of dreams and opportunity. It is our goal to make football more accessible to more players, and our highly experienced team of coaches and personnel directors are ready to help make these professional football dreams come true. The door is open for elite talent across the country to join the XFL -- including my home state of Hawai'i. I'm looking forward to seeing these players bringing their best and leaving it all out on the field." Chairwoman and Owner Dany Garcia says JSU was selected to reflect the XFL's "core values of diversity, inclusivity and accessibility."
 
As leaders lobby, NCAA searches for ways to rein in boosters
The latest lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill by college sports leaders come as the NCAA tries to rein in booster organizations funding questionable sponsorship deals for athletes for use of their names, images and likenesses. The commissioners of the Southeastern and Pac-12 conferences were in Washington on Thursday, meeting with lawmakers to discuss the need for federal legislation to help colleges regulate how athletes can be paid for endorsement deals. Greg Sankey of the SEC and George Kliavkoff of the Pac-12 met with politicians from both sides of aisle, including Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.). Kliavkoff has previously worked with Cantwell. "I appreciate today's opportunity for conversation and dialogue with members of Congress," Sankey said in a statement. "As we have observed activity emerge that is very different from original ideas around Name, Image and Likeness, it is important we continue to pursue a national NIL structure to support the thousands of opportunities made available for young people through intercollegiate athletics programs across the country." The meeting comes about a week after oft-criticized NCAA President Mark Emmert announced he would be stepping down from his position by the summer of 2023. "NCAA President Mark Emmert's resignation is one of many necessary structural changes that will enable the NCAA to support our student-athletes," Blackburn said in a statement. "During my meeting with SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey and others today, I continued to push for the accountability and fairness measures our student-athletes deserve."
 
College Leaders Urging NCAA to Enforce New NIL Guidelines, Or Else
Inside the Hyatt Regency at Gainey Ranch, the lavish resort on the outskirts of Phoenix, dozens of the most powerful people in college sports milled about, parading through the expansive lobby and basking in the sun on the terrace. But, the majority landed deep within conference meeting rooms, searching for answers to what's become the latest seismic quandary in the industry -- the rapidly escalating donor-fueled bidding war for college football and men's basketball players. "This is the time we have to put our stake in the ground. Enough! This is not acceptable," frustrated Colorado athletic director Rick George says. "What we're doing is not good for intercollegiate athletics, and it has got to stop." College leaders are strongly urging the NCAA enforcement team to begin investigating what they deem to be obvious recruiting violations, past and present. Donor-led collectives that have struck deals with players before they sign binding letters of intent are violating rules, says George, one of the leaders of an NCAA working group that will soon publicize additional NIL guidelines. Additional NIL guidelines, which the NCAA working group are currently finalizing, are expected to help regulate these deals that officials say are encouraging current players to remain on their teams and inducing recruits to sign with their schools, a developing situation Sports Illustrated detailed Monday. On Tuesday, SI reported on the impending release of the guidelines, which could happen as early as next week. George and Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith, also on the working group, confirmed the existence of the draft of guidelines.
 
Miami's Wong shows college sports hurtles toward free market
An agent for a prominent college athlete finally said out loud what schools likely hear in private: Pay the player more, or he will transfer to a school that will. The brazen demand made on behalf of University of Miami basketball star Isaiah Wong last week provided a rare, unvarnished glimpse into the way elite college sports have been transformed by athletes' rights to earn money through endorsements. Teammates are comparing contracts. Players' financial backers are swapping barbs. And coaches and administrators are struggling to keep their rosters full -- and players happy -- without running afoul of the rules. If Wong's agent didn't technically cross the bounds of what's permissible -- players can't seek payment simply in return for a promise to play at a specific school -- then he firmly planted his foot on the line, according to labor experts. "We are rapidly moving toward professionalization at full market rate for these NCAA players," said Michael LeRoy, labor law professor at the University of Illinois. "It's very clear it's really not about endorsements, it's about paying guys for their performance." Wong, who has apparently opted to stay at Miami, surely wasn't the first player to have a representative make a demand based on a player's perceived market value, and he won't be the last, experts said. "He was just the first to be so public about it," said Todd Berry, executive director of the American Football Coaches Association.
 
Atlanta To Replace Las Vegas As Host of 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship
The College Football Playoff is negotiating with Atlanta officials to have the city replace Las Vegas as host of the 2025 College Football Playoff national title game, sources told Action Network. Once finalized, Atlanta will host the College Football Playoff National Championship on Jan. 6, 2025, and Miami will take over on Jan. 5, 2026, sources said. In January, Action Network first reported Las Vegas would host the 2025 title game and Miami the 2026 title game. However, Las Vegas and the CFP couldn't resolve a conflict with the annual Consumer Electronics Show, also held in early January. The CES, which draws nearly 200,000 visitors to Las Vegas, requires thousands of hotel rooms and convention room space. "There was a request to move CES a week, which wasn't happening, and Las Vegas asked the CFP to move the title game back a week later," a source said. "But there was no dice there either." With the CFP in a bind to replace Las Vegas, Atlanta emerged as the choice to host the 2025 game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Atlanta and Miami will become the only cities to host two College Football Playoff title games during the CFP's original 12-year contract. Atlanta also hosted the fourth CFP title game in 2018. There are only four years remaining on the CFP's original 12-year contract. This year's title game will be played in Los Angeles (Jan. 9, 2023), followed by Houston (Jan. 8, 2024), Atlanta (Jan. 6, 2025) and Miami (Jan. 5, 2026).



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