This is scary folks and a total misuse of Federal resources for political reasons.

Thanks to Jerry and some other items



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Myron Medcalf, ESPN Staff Writer

John Ruiz, once dubbed "Miami's NIL king" by ESPN, is struggling to keep his castle intact.

Miami's mega-booster, who has spent millions on NIL deals for Hurricanes athletes in recent years, told investors this week that there is "substantial doubt" that his company, LifeWallet, will stay in business, according to an SEC filing.

In the SEC filing, Ruiz said that LifeWallet, a large-scale medical claims company, had made $7.7 million in revenue last year and suffered a net loss of $211 million. It's unclear whether the company's financial troubles will impact its NIL deals with current athletes.

"The Company has concluded that, despite the aforementioned financing arrangements, there is substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern," Ruiz said in the SEC filing this week. "Unless we are successful in raising additional funds through the offering of debt or equity securities, we have concluded it is probable we will be unable to continue to operate as a going concern beyond the next twelve months."

Ruiz, an attorney, is the leader behind the push for a new Miami football stadium, to which he has committed millions of dollars.

When NIL rules were passed in 2021, Ruiz quickly emerged as one of the faces of the new era. In the first year of name, image and likeness allowances, he reportedly spent more than $10 million on athletes.

Before the 2022-23 season, Ruiz helped reshape Miami men's and women's basketball. He played a role in luring Haley and Hanna Cavinder -- two of the most popular athletes in the NIL era -- from Fresno State to Miami with significant deals. He also publicly announced a two-year, $800,000 NIL deal (including a new car) for former Kansas State point guard Nijel Pack to join the Hurricanes.

When Isaiah Wong, the ACC Player of the Year in 2023, reportedly threatened to leave Miami unless he received more NIL money, Ruiz made it happen and persuaded him to stay. That season, Miami's women's team reached the Elite Eight for the first time and the men's team made its first Final Four run. After the Hurricanes' win over Texas in the Elite Eight that year, Miami men's coach Jim Larranaga hugged Ruiz on the court.

Ruiz told ESPN at the time that he had discovered a blueprint for other schools to follow in the NIL era.

"If you do it the right way, yes," he said then.

But the NCAA and federal investigators have questioned whether Ruiz has done everything the right way.

In 2023, the NCAA issued sanctions against Miami -- its first related to NIL -- for women's coach Katie Meier's role in urging a meeting between Ruiz and the Cavinder twins. The SEC and the Department of Justice are investigating LifeWallet's operations.

Zack will be interviewing Tony probably early this week.

Post your questions here. Please be respectful but understand Tony doesn't duck anything.

Up 40% nationally over the last four years. Mostly youth.

https://www.newsnationnow.com/crime/motor-vehicle-thefts-fbi-data/

Duke's Cooper Flagg is a frontrunner for NPOY, but a four-pack of studs separates from the rest as we head into the fall​

Two finished two books that I think this group would enjoy. Really engaging and made me think deeply.

Demons of Unrest. Another fascinating read by Erik Larson. He brings to life the pivotal five months between the election of Abraham Lincoln and the start of the Civil War. Lots of similarities to today’s world. Both entertaining and informative. This quote from Lincoln’s inaugural speech is revealing: “Americans, all, we are not enemies, but friends. We have sacred ties of affection which, though strained by passions, let us hope can never be broken.” Certainly, words we can all take to heart. The book is utterly compelling and reads like a novel.

Charlie Hustle. An inside look at Pete Rose - arguably the most tragic American sports star. You’ll hate him. You’ll feel sorry for him. You’ll shake your head. You’ll go through the rollercoaster ride of highs and lows of Pete Rose’s rise and fall. A definitive and powerful sports book about a fascinating figure in American Sports history. Cautionary tale for anyone in business and life to not let success go to your head.

Teaneck, N.J. -- In a defensive, tactical battle between two strong sides, the Seton Hall women's soccer team was still able to get a result as they tied with FDU, 0-0, on Sunday afternoon.

The Pirates (1-0-1) were only 48 hours removed from their season-opening, 2-1 victory over Marist on Friday at Owen T. Carroll Field. Despite the hot conditions and the short rest between games, Seton Hall finished with a 5-3 advantage in shots on goal. The Hall created more scoring opportunities and nearly finished even in shot attempts as FDU ended with a 9-8 edge.

FDU, picked to finish second in the NEC preseason coaches poll, earned 54 percent of the possession but were kept off the scoreboard by senior Anna Prawer (London, England) in the first half and freshman Avery Strohecker (Riding, Va.) in the second half. Prawer made a couple of impressive stops in the first 45 minutes and successfully defended four FDU corners. An acrobatic save by Strohecker where she punched a high shot over the crossbar helped keep the score even with 28 minutes left.

Senior Natalie Tavana (Middletown, Conn.) led all players with three shots and played 82 of the 90 minutes. Senior Chiara Pucci (Munich, Germany) played the full 90 and helped in the shutout effort from her centerback position. Freshman Kylie Ray also played the full 90 minutes on the backline.

Seton Hall returns to action at Owen T. Carroll Field on Thursday when it hosts Lehigh at 7 p.m. Seton Hall Pirates keychains will be handed out to the class of 2028.

With the Gavitt Games a thing of the past, and the Big East-Big Twelve challenge likely to see the same fate after this year, I would love to see the Big East Conference schedule another challenge. One of the obstacles with a P5 challenge is that with all of those conferences expanding this year, there are just fewer out-of-conference games to schedule. The Big Ten now has 18 schools; the Big 12 has 16 schools.

Which brings me to this question. Would anyone sign on to a Big East vs. Mountain West Conference Challenge? [Only one Big East Team would have to sit out each year]. Put a bunch of games on Fox Sports and the rest on the CBS Sports Network.

If the P5 will not schedule conference challenges any longer, I think it would be a great way to add a quality NET opponent to the schedule.

FWIW hearing that Aligbe is playing VERY well to date and is impressing Sha with his leadership skills.

Until I see the team live I can only speculate from the bits and pieces I am hearing knowing that in a couple of weeks when the players come back much of this could change.

This though I know for a fact as I have posted previously. Sha has told the team you want PT you better play defense. And with the athleticism and speed this team has that should be a given. So with that thought in mind I will post a starting five for now.

PG Dual
Word I am getting from most everyone I have spoken to is his play on both sides of the court has been exemplary.

2G Addae-Wusu
Again, defense. That plus his loss of weight and strong leadership for this young team is needed.

SF Coleman
By the end of last season he was the best defender on the team. That and short of Richmond and Davis returning Sha focused the most on getting him back. And although nothing was promised it was clear that if the big two didn't return and if earned he would be the focus of the team. Sha loves his potential.

PF Aligbe
Athletic and deceivingly strong with leadership ability and major focus I don't see how he doesn't line up as the starting 4.

C Toumi
This one is a guess. I haven't heard much about him so I am basing this on alternate choices. He is the most experienced player and when he committed I heard the staff LOVED his potential.


Tomorrow I'll post a little more about the rest of the lineup.

For now what do you think about the top 5?

We asked coaches for their opinion on who was the big winner of the most recent coaching carousel​

I've heard nothing about our 7'3" freshman center. Is he even practicing with the team???