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LAS VEGAS — Players Era Festival organizers have done what so many other have tried — bet their fortunes in this city that a big payoff is coming. Such bet are usually bad ones, which is why so many massive casino-resorts have been built on Las Vegas Boulevard. But it doesn't mean the organizers are wrong. They're counting on the minimum of $1 million in guaranteed name, image and likeness money that will go to each of the eight teams competing in the neutral-site tournament that begins Tuesday will create a precedent for other such events. EverWonder Studios CEO Ian Orefice, who co-founded Players with former AND1 CEO Seth Berger, compared this event to last year's inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament that played its semifinals and final in Las Vegas by saying it "did really well to reinvigorate the fan base at the beginning of the year." "We're excited that we're able to really change the paradigm in college basketball on the economics," Orefice said. "But for us, it's about the long term. How do we use the momentum that is launching with the 2024 Players Era Festival and be the catalyst not to change one event, but to change college basketball for the future." Orefice and Berger didn't disclose financial details, but said the event will come close to breaking even this year and that revenue is in eight figures. Orefice said the bulk of the revenue will come from relationships with MGM, TNT Sports and Publicis Sport & Entertainment as well as sponsors that will be announced later. Both organizers said they are so bullish on the tournament's prospects that they already are planning ahead. Money made from this year's event, Orefice said, goes right back into the company. "We're really in this for the long haul," Orefice said. "So we're not looking at it on a one-year basis." Rick Giles is president of the Gazelle Group, which also operates several similar events, including the College Basketball Invitational. He was skeptical the financial numbers would work. Giles said in addition to more than $8 million going to the players, there were other expenses such as the guarantees to the teams. He said he didn't know if the tournament would make up the difference with ticket sales, broadcast rights and sponsorship money. The top bowl of the MGM Grand Garden Arena will be curtained off. "The math is highly challenging," Giles said. "Attendance and ticket revenues are not going to come anywhere close to covering that. They haven't announced any sponsors that I'm aware of. So it all sort of rests with their media deal with Turner and how much capital they want to commit to it to get these players paid." David Carter, a University of Southern California adjunct professor who also runs the Sports Business Group consultancy, said even if the Players isn't a financial success this year, the question is whether there will be enough interest to move forward. "If there is bandwidth for another tournament and if the TV or the streaming ratings are going to be there and people are going to want to attend and companies are going to want to sponsor, then, yeah, it's probably going to work," Carter said. "But it may take them time to gain that traction." Both founders said they initially were met with skepticism about putting together such an event, especially from teams they were interested in inviting. Houston was the first school to commit, first offering an oral pledge early in the year and then signing a contract in April. That created momentum for others to join, and including the No. 6 Cougars, half the field is ranked. "We have the relationships to operate a great event," Berger said. "We had to get coaches over those hurdles, and once they knew that we were real, schools got on board really quickly." The founders worked with the NCAA to make sure the tournament abided by that organization's rules, so players must appear at ancillary events in order to receive NIL money. Strict pay for play is not allowed, though there are incentives for performance. The champion, for example, will receive $1.5 million in NIL money. Now the pressure is on to pull off the event and not create the kind of headlines that can dog it for years to come. "I think everybody in the marketplace is watching what's going to happen (this) week and, more importantly, what happens afterwards," Giles said. "Do the players get paid on a timely basis? And if they do, that means that Turner or somebody has paid way more than the market dictates? And the question will be: Can that continue?" CREIGHTON: P oint guard Steven Ashworth likely won’t play in the No. 21 Bluejays’ game against San Diego State in the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas. Ashworth sprained his right ankle late in a loss to Nebraska on Friday and coach Greg McDermott said afterward he didn’t know how long he would be out. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!The Winnipeg Jets have been the talk of the town lately in Winnipeg, with a league-best 16-3 record. But there’s another team in Winnipeg that’s been blistering hot to begin their season, the University of Winnipeg Wesmen Men’s Volleyball team, who are off to their best start since 1997 when the team first joined the Canada West Conference. “I think our success stems from off the court actually, just everything we do to kind of prepare for practice and for games. With the addition of our new coach, I think our practice plans, everything off the court has allowed us to have really great success on the court and just throughout the season so far,” said Luke Lodewiks, University of Winnipeg volleyball player. Chris Voth, the head coach of the volleyball team added, “The guys are doing awesome, they have tremendous grit that they’ve shown throughout the last couple of years, and I’m just trying to build off the legacy that the former coach Larry Mckay laid down for the program.” The Wesmen are a perfect 8-0 to start the campaign, tied for the best record in the country, and their doing it thanks to the help of some home-grown talent. 17 members of the 18-man roster hail from Manitoba, and that familiarity, Lodewiks says, has been vital to the team’s strong play. “Just growing up in Manitoba, there’s a lot of opportunities to play throughout the province, and I think all the guys from Manitoba have that bond already connected, so when they all end up on the same team it really creates an environment to succeed,” said Lodewiks. It’s a program with a storied history, the Wesmen have won 10 national championships in men’s volleyball, tied for the most titles ever. But they haven’t raised a banner since 2007, and this year’s team is poised to end that drought, especially since fate has it that the 2025 USports national championships are set to be held right here in town. “Yeah, I think every team in Usports is competing for a championship. Our second half is tough we play all the local teams and we always have good rivalries with those teams, so I’m really excited to see what happens in the second half of the season as well,” said Voth. Lodewiks adding, “We have a great team this year, we definitely have a shot at winning a championship. It’s definitely one of the goals for myself and for the team as well. I think it’s going to be a great season and I can’t wait to see how far we can get.”5jili 。

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London Symposium: Quebec out in front of green energy transition with support for tech, minersSpecial teams bungles dominate NFL, with Commanders and Cowboys leading the wayWASHINGTON (AP) — Special counsel Jack Smith moved to abandon two criminal cases against Donald Trump on Monday, acknowledging that Trump’s return to the White House will preclude attempts to federally prosecute him for retaining classified documents or trying to overturn his 2020 election defeat. The decision was inevitable, since longstanding Justice Department policy says sitting presidents cannot face criminal prosecution. Yet it was still a momentous finale to an unprecedented chapter in political and law enforcement history, as federal officials attempted to hold accountable a former president while he was simultaneously running for another term.

: Actor Naga Chaitanya announced a new film titled ‘NC24’ on his birthday. On Saturday, Naga Chaitanya took to Instagram and shared a new poster. Along with the poster, he wrote, “#NC24 – An excavation into Mythical thrills & shivers. Excited to be part of your amazing vision @karthik_cinema.” The poster features Chaitanya standing on a rock in a cave with a bag full of mountaineering equipment. An eye captures the essence of the film. It hints at a thrilling narrative that blends mythology with suspense. Netizens chimmed in the comment section with birthday wishes and blessings. A user wrote, “Happy Birthday ANNA all the best nc 23 24.” Another fan commented, “Happy Birthday Chay.” Talking about Naga Chaitanya’s personal front, he is all set to tie the knot soon with Sobhita Dhulipala. Their pre-wedding festivities have already started. Sobhita took to Instagram and shared mesmerizing pictures from the ‘Pasupu Danchadam’ ceremony. In August, Naga Chaitanya and Sobhita got engaged at a private ceremony in Hyderabad in the presence of the couple’s families and friends. Veteran star Nagarjuna Akkineni announced this exciting news by sharing pictures of his son Naga Chaitanya and Sobhita Dhulipala from their engagement ceremony on his X handle. Along with the post, he wrote, “We are delighted to announce the engagement of our son, Naga Chaitanya, to Sobhita Dhulipala, which took place this morning at 9:42 a.m.!! We are overjoyed to welcome her into our family. Congratulations to the happy couple! Wishing them a lifetime of love and happiness. God bless! 8.8.8 A beginning of infinite love Sobhitad chayakkineni.” Naga Chaitanya was previously married to actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu. They announced their separation on social media in a joint statement in October 2021. Naga Chaitanya and Sobhita have remained tight-lipped about their relationship. If reports are to be believed, the newly engaged couple met a few months after Naga’s divorce with Samantha. Meanwhile, on the work front, Naga Chaitanya will be seen in ‘Thandel’ alongside Sai Pallavi. Directed by Chandoo Mondeti, produced by Bunny Vas under the prestigious Geetha Arts banner and presented by Allu Aravind, the film’s production is nearing completion, and the makers have officially announced the release date by unveiling a special romantic poster featuring the lead actors. Taking to X handle, Naga Chaitanya treated fans with new poster along with release date. “#Thandel GRAND RELEASE WORLDWIDE ON FEBRUARY 7TH, 2025 #ThandelonFeb7th,” he captioned the post. The poster captures the chemistry between Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi, set against a picturesque ocean backdrop. ‘Thandel’ will be hitting the screens on February 7, 2025. The film has already created a strong buzz, with the teaser and posters receiving positive responses. Fans are excited to see the much-loved pairing of Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi reunite on screen after their blockbuster hit ‘Love Story’, directed by Sekhar Kammula. ‘Thandel’ is inspired by real-life events that took place in the village of D Matchilesam in the Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh, and it promises a compelling mix of love, action, drama, and adrenaline rushing moments. The film also boasts an impressive crew, including National Award-winning composer Devi Sri Prasad for the music, Shamdat handling cinematography, and National Award-winning editor Naveen Nooli. The art department is headed by Srinagendra Tangala. The film features Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi. It is written and directed by Chandoo Mondeti and is presented by Allu Aravind. Produced by Bunny Vas under the Geetha Arts banner, the film’s music is composed by Devi Sri Prasad, with cinematography by Shamdat. (ANI)