A league is trending in a lot of timelines right now: the Rivals Professional Football League (RPFL). It’s marketed as a “second-chance” platform—paid reps, game film, and a shot to level up. And in football, film really is currency.

But the smart move is treating this like a business decision, not a wish. RPFL promotes paid tryouts and also markets a headline-grabbing “1-year, $592,000 performance-based” contract concept. That phrase—performance-based—is the whole story. The number isn’t the reality. The terms are the reality.

In this video, we run the player checklist: what’s guaranteed vs conditional, what costs come out of pocket, what injury coverage exists, who owns/distributes your film, and what “exposure” actually means in measurable, verifiable pathways.

Disclaimer: This is general sports-business commentary, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship.

MLB’s salary arbitration hearings are in the home stretch this week—and this is the part of the offseason where the money gets decided the hard way.

In this Fast Break, we break down:

• What an arbitration hearing actually is (and why the panel must pick one side’s number)

• Why so many deals get done at the last possible second

• What teams and players argue (comparables, role, performance—no fairy-tale “intangibles”)

• Why this system shapes trades, extensions, and the entire roster chessboard

• We’ll also use real 2026 examples to show how wild the stakes can get—because “a few million” is never just a few million when it echoes through a payroll.

Subscribe for daily quick hitters + deep dives across the BNP™ Podcast Network.

Disclaimer: Educational content only. Not legal advice. Not creating an attorney-client relationship.

Tonight on BNP™ Fast Break, we’re speed-running a very unglamorous sentence that could change a very glamorous sport: the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act just advanced out of the House Education & the Workforce Committee 30–4.

At a high level, the bill is pitched as “modernization + safety + economic opportunity.” The fight (pun fully intended) is whether it’s also a structural rewrite that makes boxing look more like a centralized league model—hello, Unified Boxing Organizations (UBOs)—and whether that power shift helps fighters… or concentrates leverage.

What’s in the mix (highlights):

• UBOs: a parallel organizational lane to existing sanctioning bodies (and a possible new gravity center for the sport).

• Minimum pay bump: $200 per round minimum. Insurance floor: $50,000 minimum medical coverage for bout injuries (plus accidental death coverage).

• Contract rule (as reported): contracts no longer than six years.

• “Final 30 days” provision (as reported): fighters can contact rival UBOs/promoters in the last 30 days of an existing contract.

• Anti-“benching” compensation (as reported): at least $2,000 if a fighter goes six months without a bout.

The big question: Is this fighter-protection legislation… or the legal architecture for a new boxing “league” era backed by Zuffa Boxing / TKO?

CLASS OF 2026 INCOMING (9PM ET)

TONIGHT is the moment: in less than an hour, the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 is revealed at NFL Honors (9:00 PM ET).

In Part Two of our two-part series, Lee + Michael break down what the Hall of Fame really is: an immortality machine, a voting system, a political ecosystem, and—yes—a business decision wrapped in velvet and bronze.

What we cover (fast, but deep):

• What “immortality” means in pro football (and why the Hall is different from every other honor)

• How the voting process shapes outcomes (and why “best player” is not always the whole rubric)

• Narratives, era bias, positional bias, ring culture, and media memory

• Why the Gold Jacket has a price—for players, teams, and the league’s historical story

Welcome back to the BNP™ Podcast Network — Part One of our two-part Super Bowl week deep dive.

Tonight: The Pro Bowl — how it evolved from prestige showcase to risk-managed content machine, why “Pro Bowler” is still real (but technically weird), and how the NFL rebuilt the event into skills + flag during Super Bowl week in San Francisco.

KEY TAKEAWAYS “Pro Bowler” matters—but you have to understand alternates/replacements. The honor outlived the tackle-game format. Skills + flag isn’t “less real,” it’s the NFL admitting reality.

“If you’re mad at Shedeur, your issue might actually be with the Pro Bowl’s design.”

BREAKING: Pro Bowl is underway — and the selection of Shedeur Sanders has turned into a full-blown debate about merit, marketability, and what an ‘all-star’ label is actually supposed to mean.

“The Pro Bowl doesn’t crown you — it tags you, and the internet does the rest.”

In this episode, Michael breaks down the mechanics: fan/player/coach voting, replacement chains, and why late-cycle roster vacancies create “wait, him?” moments by design. Lee makes the intellectually honest pro-Shedeur case: procedural legitimacy, symbolic logic for a fan-facing event, and why this moment is better treated as a challenge than a coronation.

Then we zoom out to Cleveland’s 2026 crossroads — coaching, commitment, and how roster-building and scheme fit determine whether a polarizing rookie becomes QB1… or a footnote. Next up: your companion breakdowns on the Pro Bowl + Hall of Fame ecosystem (links below).

FULL BLOG ON HALL OF FAME/PROBOWL:

https://www.bnpsportsagency.com/blog/hall-of-fame-vs-pro-bowl-nfl-decides-greatness

FAQs

Why was Shedeur Sanders selected to the Pro Bowl?

• Because Pro Bowl rosters are built through a blended voting system and then reshaped by late vacancies and alternates—especially during Super Bowl-week timing.

Does making the Pro Bowl mean someone had an elite season?

• Not necessarily. It signals recognition inside a hybrid system: merit + reputation + fan attention + availability.

How do Pro Bowl alternates work?

• When selected players opt out, are injured, or are unavailable, the next eligible alternates are invited—creating rosters that can look surprising late in the cycle.

Is All-Pro more meaningful than Pro Bowl?

• All-Pro is generally more exclusive; Pro Bowl is broader and structurally more popularity- and availability-sensitive.

The NWSL introduced the High Impact Player (HIP) rule—often called the “Rodman Rule”—to let teams spend up to $1M above the salary cap for qualifying players.

The NWSLPA filed a grievance arguing compensation structure is a mandatory subject of bargaining, and “consultation” isn’t the same as negotiating new terms. We break down the timeline, what HIP changes, why the criteria creates power, and what arbitration could do next.

Disclaimer: Education/commentary only; not legal advice.

BNP™ Legal Watch breaks down Niblock v. University of Kentucky (6th Cir. Jan. 20, 2026): a Title IX athletics case about whether a school must add women’s varsity teams in equestrian, field hockey, and lacrosse.

Key takeaway: Title IX prong three requires proof of interest + ability in enough numbers to field a viable team—and the court’s line that will live forever: “Surveys are not tryouts.”

Professional Disclosures:

• We are not currently NFLPA-certified contract advisors. Michael and Lee are sitting for the NFLPA Contract Advisor Exam in 2026.

• Lee is MLBPA eligible (passed the exam in September 2025).

• Michael and Lee are registered athlete agents in the State of Florida.

• Lee is licensed to practice law in the State of Texas and is authorized to practice federal law in any U.S. jurisdiction.

• Lee is admitted to practice before the United States Tax Court.

• Lee is a financial planner, providing education and planning support consistent with applicable professional standards.

DISCLAIMERS: Educational commentary only, not legal advice. No attorney-client relationship.

Football is hiring season. This episode is the full A-to-Z blueprint for the 2026 NFL Draft pipeline—from game tape to Shrine Bowl + Senior Bowl, Combine, Pro Days, team visits, Draft Weekend, and the UDFA sprint.

We built this for players + parents who want the process to feel like a plan (not chaos). We also cover compliance landmines: NCAA eligibility, agent rules, SPARTA, and how to avoid “too-good-to-be-true” recruiting tactics.

Tonight is Championship Sunday — AFC + NFC titles decide who punches a ticket to Super Bowl LX (Feb 8, 2026).

In this 5-minute mini-pod, Michael & Lee answer the only question that starts arguments on sight: “Which game decides the Super Bowl? 👀”

We break down what actually travels to the Super Bowl (discipline, turnovers, late-game nerve), and we give you our 4Q live-tweet thread template so you can ride the best game for engagement.

Today’s Games (ET):

• AFC Championship: Patriots @ Broncos — 3:00 PM ET (CBS)

• NFC Championship: Rams @ Seahawks — 6:30 PM ET (FOX)

Which one “decides” the Super Bowl — AFC or NFC?

BNP™ LEGAL WATCH (PART 1) — Point-Shaving 2.0: The “Philadelphia 26” A DOJ indictment unsealed in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania alleges a modern bribery + point-shaving enterprise spanning NCAA Division I men’s basketball and China’s CBA — built for the legalized sports-betting era. (ALLEGATIONS ONLY.)

In Part 1, Lee Walpole Lassiter, Esq. breaks down:

• What “point shaving” actually means in 2026 (and why first-half spreads matter)

• The alleged “fixer” structure and the “NIL bribery gap”

• Why DOJ uses sports bribery + wire fraud architecture (and what that signals for sentencing exposure)

• The crossover headlines (CBA to NCAA) and what comes next procedurally

IMPORTANT: This episode discusses allegations in publicly reported filings and DOJ announcements. This content is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is formed by consuming this content.

College football just got a new kind of enforcement energy. On January 9, the College Sports Commission (CSC) sent a memo to Division I athletic directors warning about multimillion-dollar third-party NIL deals floating around transfer portal season—and the CSC says investigations are starting into deals that may be used as “portal bait.”

In this BNP™ Fast Break, Michael breaks down:

• What the CSC is targeting (third-party NIL deals that don’t hold up on purpose or value)

• Why “valid business purpose” + “fair market value” are now the survival words

• What “warehousing” means (aka a storage unit for cash)

• Why portal season makes this tampering-adjacent chaos

• The big question: can the CSC enforce without getting sued into dust?

Disclaimer: Content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

NIL money is reshaping QB decisions, eligibility disputes are turning into litigation, and FBS coaches are pushing a major redshirt-rule expansion to keep the sport from buckling.

College football is officially in the “money meets courtroom” era. In this episode, Michael + Lee connect the Ty Simpson decision, Dante Moore’s return, Trinidad Chambliss’ eligibility fight, the NIL retention arms race, and the coaches’ response — including a unanimous FBS coaches vote to recommend expanding the redshirt rule to nine games. We also break down why the NCAA says FBS transfer portal entries are down 23% — and why that doesn’t mean the chaos is gone… it means the market is consolidating into high-dollar retention.

Disclaimer: We’re discussing publicly reported information for education/entertainment only — not legal advice.

The Courtside Counselor Recap: Death, Taxes, and Chinese Basketball — a fast, salty preview of BNP™ Legal Watch on the alleged Point-Shaving 2.0 scandal tied to a federal indictment unsealed in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

We’re talking alleged bribery, betting, the Chinese Basketball Association, and NCAA men’s hoops — plus the “fixer texts” that read like a crime comedy… until you remember the penalties are real.

Disclaimer: This content is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not create an attorney-client relationship or constitute legal advice.

TONIGHT: CFP National Championship — Indiana vs. Miami (Fla.) 🏆 Hard Rock Stadium | 7:30 PM ET | ESPN

Two picks. One trophy. Michael’s riding INDIANA. Lee’s riding MIAMI.

In this episode:

• Michael’s case for Indiana: QB control, execution, and the “grown-man football” path

• What has to happen early for Indiana to win

Disclaimer: This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Viewing/listening does not create an attorney-client relationship. Player availability/lines can change — verify updates before relying on any matchup assumptions.

TONIGHT: CFP National Championship — Indiana vs. Miami (Fla.) 🏆 Hard Rock Stadium | 7:30 PM ET | ESPN

Two picks. One trophy. Michael’s riding INDIANA. Lee’s riding MIAMI. CHECK OUT MICHAEL'S PICK at the end of this video.

In this episode:

• Lee’s case for Miami: hidden yards, pressure tax, and the “make it weird” blueprint

• What has to happen early for Miami to win

Disclaimer: This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Viewing/listening does not create an attorney-client relationship. Player availability/lines can change — verify updates before relying on any matchup assumptions.

Indiana is favored; Miami has chaos. Keys to win, matchup chess, money talk, ticket madness, underdog history — plus our picks drop at 6pm ET.

BNP family — the CFP National Championship is in Miami Gardens at Hard Rock Stadium… and yes, Miami is playing for the crown in their own building. Indiana has been the season’s most consistent machine. Miami has been the “we’re not supposed to be here” team that keeps refusing to die.

In this podcast, we break down:

• What the experts/markets are signaling (and why the spread tells a story)

• How Miami wins: run game, front pressure, and “blink-and-it’s-6” explosives

• How Indiana wins: clean football, fundamentals, and Mendoza choosing when to go vertical

• Money talk: CFP payouts, conference revenue mechanics, and Miami’s citywide economic surge

• Ticket pain: resale reality + parking villain arc

• Underdog history: how often the “not supposed to” team actually wins it all

Disclaimer: This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Viewing/listening does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice, consult a qualified attorney.

Francis Mauigoa plays one of the most unglamorous jobs in football… and somehow brings the most glamorous thing with him: integrity.

In today’s BNP™ Character Corner: Athlete Spotlight (Name. Image. Integrity.), we’re spotlighting Miami Hurricanes offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa—a native of Ili’ili, American Samoa—and the Samoan value he lives out loud: “tautua” (service).

✅ 100% of profits from a Miami-themed merch campaign launched with his brother benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Florida—supporting families fighting through medical storms. ✅ Mauigoa was named to the 2025 Wuerffel Trophy Watch List, recognizing college football’s top community servant. ✅ His service includes volunteering with RMHC and free youth football camps/clinics—time, not just dollars.

Lesson: Your Name is your reputation. Your Image is what shows up under pressure. Your Integrity is what you do when nobody can reward you.

January 15 is baseball’s global signing day—and it’s not a draft and not normal free agency. Here’s the complete breakdown of MLB’s international signing period: buscones, bonus pools, and the red flags that create bad deals.

In this episode & the blog, we explain:

• What the international signing period is (Jan 15–Dec 15)

• Who’s eligible and why “commitments” happen early

• How international bonus pools work (hard cap + trades)

• What a buscón does (mentor vs red flag)

• The most common “bad deal” patterns families must avoid How to follow top international prospects + where to watch them develop (DSL and beyond)

• The agent angle: the 90-day registration precipice and why paperwork timing matters

Read the companion blog: https://www.bnpsportsagency.com/blog//mlb-international-signing-period-buscones-bonus-pools-2026

Work with Ball ’N Play™ Sports Agency PLLC: www.bnpsportsagency.com

Disclaimer: This content is educational and not legal advice. Rules and policies vary by jurisdiction and player circumstances.

This is not “just” a $390,000 fight — it’s a prototype. A stress test for what happens when the old model of control can’t survive NCAA rules anymore… so it tries to reincarnate inside private contracts.

In this episode, we break the case down like lawyers (because I am one) complete with court filings:

1. What UGAA alleges

2. What Damon Wilson II alleges

3. What the law actually tests — contract formation, arbitration consent, and liquidated damages vs. penalty doctrine

…and then we zoom out to the NIL marketplace reality: when reputation is money, “market inference” claims hit different.

📚 COMPANION BLOG (terms, venue insight, reference list): https://www.bnpsportsagency.com/blog/the-last-stand-of-the-old-guarddamon-wilson-ii-v-ugaaand-the-attempt-to-contract-the-transfer-portal-into-extinctionnbsp

Disclaimer: This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Viewing/listening does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice, consult a qualified professional in your jurisdiction.

The Billion-Dollar College Football Playoff — Explained The 12-team College Football Playoff isn’t just a postseason tournament anymore. It’s a multi-billion-dollar economic engine. In this episode, Lee & Michael break down the financial architecture of the CFP — how money flows from broadcast contracts to schools, conferences, coaches, players, and host cities in the post-House v. NCAA era.

What we break down:

• CFP base payouts and performance bonuses

• How a title run can generate $20M+ per school

• Conference distribution models (ACC vs SEC vs Big Ten/Big 12)

• Why some schools keep the money — and others don’t

• Coaching bonus clauses and external bonus liability

• How NIL revenue sharing fits into postseason economics

• Player bowl gifts, compensation limits, and what comes next

• Why CFP host cities generate hundreds of millions per game

Key takeaway:
The CFP is now a centralized clearinghouse for media rights, labor costs, incentives, and economic leverage — and if you’re only watching the scoreboard, you’re missing the real game.

📌PODCAST UPDATE!!

The podcast says Sorsby is scheduling visits to LSU + Texas Tech—that was reported early, but he has now committed to Texas Tech (today).

🏈Currency vs. Character: Navigating the 2026 Transfer Portal Minefield (Episode 19) 🏈

The 2026 portal era is a 15-day sprint with revenue-sharing stakes. We break down the new rules, real risks, and why “with a contract vs with a hope” is the whole game.

This is the most high-stakes transfer portal era college football has ever seen: a single Jan 2–16 window, CFP-related extensions, and a new revenue-sharing “cap” environment reshaping roster value.

In this episode, Lee + Michael break down the 2026 rules of engagement and the brutal reality behind the headlines: for a small group, the portal is pre-negotiated movement—for everyone else, it can become a one-way door.

KEY TOPICS:

• The 2026 portal window: why the sport just became a 15-day sprint

• House v. NCAA and the new roster marketplace (what “revenue sharing” actually changes)

• “Entering with a contract” vs “entering without a contract” (what that really means)

• Why scholarships + roster spots move fast once your name hits the database

• BNPP “Doing NIL Right” Spotlight Quinn Ewers’ Shocking NIL Offer — reports of a massive transfer offer, and why his “legacy is greater than payday” decision matters in the portal era. (Ewers was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the 7th round (231st pick).

THE SANDERS AUDIT: Stability, Sabotage, and the Miami Connection | Lee Rant

Is Shedeur Sanders truly being set up for success in Cleveland, or is he fighting against the current of a franchise in perpetual chaos? In this no-holds-barred "Sanders Audit," Lee Rant dives deep into the stats, the sensationalism, and the political undercurrents shaping Shedeur's rookie year.

We're cutting through the noise around his 10 interceptions, comparing his per-game averages to other rookie QBs like Cam Ward and Jaxson Dart, and exposing the unfair narrative that treats a 5th-round pick as a "privileged" symbol rather than a developing player.

But it's not just about Shedeur. We connect the dots between Cleveland's Black Monday energy and the bizarre "Miami Telenovela" rumors involving Troy Aikman and Mike McDaniel. Is Cleveland finally ready to build an "incubator" for its young QB, or will they continue the cycle of "rearranging the same mess with different furniture"?

Lee argues that Shedeur doesn't need a miracle; he needs a plan. This isn't just football analysis; it's a call for context, stability, and genuine player development in the most chaotic league in sports.

“Quick disclaimer: this is commentary and education — not legal advice, not financial advice, and not insider info. We’re talking tape, context, and how narratives get built.”

Join the conversation: Is Shedeur Sanders getting a fair shot? What should the Browns do on Black Monday?

Welcome to Prediction Court: THE PEOPLE’S PLAYOFF vs. THE SPREADSHEET (BUT LEE IS THE SPREADSHEET QUEEN).

This is Year Zero college football—revenue-share era, portal timing, NIL pressure—and we’re making CFP Quarterfinal picks with consequences.

Running Bet:

If LEE wins → Michael pays for mani/pedi + funds a tiny cross tattoo on Lee’s ring finger

If MICHAEL wins → Lee eats ¼ hamburger (grimace-friendly)

What we grade every game on: Weather • Turf • Bye week (rest vs rust) • Rings vs Monday (Mercenary Meter) • Red Zone • Turnovers • Trenches • Explosives • Special Teams

Matchups:

Cotton Bowl: #10 Miami vs #2 Ohio State Orange Bowl: #5 Oregon vs #4 Texas Tech Rose Bowl: #9 Alabama vs #1 Indiana
Sugar Bowl: #6 Ole Miss vs #3 Georgia

This is not betting advice. Entertainment + analysis.

GRAPHICS NOTE: All show graphics are © 2025 Ball ’N Play Sports Agency PLLC

Today’s mini-pod is a cage match between two “save college sports” proposals: Plan A (Campbell): Modernize media rights (Sports Broadcasting Act concept) + a new national governance model aimed at protecting Olympic & women’s sports.

Plan B (Athletes.org): A CBA-style framework with a standard athlete agreement and a single consolidated income stream—explicitly paying athletes for athletic services (not just NIL).

The real question: when someone says “save college sports,” save what exactly—football payroll, Olympic pipeline, education, tradition?

Not legal advice. Entertainment + education only.

Integrity in college sports means leaders keep moral authority aligned with power—especially when success, money, and access increase temptation. When coaches violate trust, athletes and families absorb the fallout through instability, betrayal, and damaged program culture.

College sports loves the scoreboard—wins, rankings, NIL deals, and championships. But what happens when the real scoreboard is integrity? In this special podcast episode entitled "The Character Clause," Lee confronts the growing leadership crisis in college athletics, sparked by a troubling few weeks of scandals that include arrests, “for cause” firings, and long-ignored red flags finally coming due.

We examine real cases—from Michigan to Ohio University and beyond—where abuse of power, hypocrisy, and institutional failure have shaken programs and betrayed athletes. These aren’t isolated incidents; they are warnings that something foundational in college sports is breaking down.

This episode moves beyond headlines and box scores to ask harder questions: Can a leader’s character survive success? Why are players labeled “selfish” for transferring while coaches chasing money call it “business”? What responsibility do institutions have when warning signs are ignored? And what happens to athletes when leadership collapses mid-season? Drawing on biblical principles, ethical leadership standards, and real contract consequences, this conversation challenges athletes, parents, coaches, and administrators to demand alignment between public values and private conduct.

Read your contracts. Read your Bible. and READ THE FULL BLOG HERE: https://www.bnpsportsagency.com/blog/the-character-clause-integrity-on-the-line-college-sports-scandal-and-the-mandate-for-real-leadership

This week in sports isn’t about highlights — it’s about leverage, longevity, and integrity. In Episode 17 of the Triple A Ball ’N Play™ Podcast, we break down the biggest pressure points across sports and life:

🏀 WNBA Labor Flashpoint — Players authorize a strike “when necessary” as CBA negotiations stall. What leverage really means, why structure matters more than headlines, and why growth without partnership is a ceiling.

🏀 NBA Integrity & Sports Betting — Injury reporting changes, gambling fallout, and why information has become currency in a league balancing trust, investors, and public confidence.

🏈 Negotiating with Father Time — LeBron’s evolution, Philip Rivers returning at 44, and the real question aging athletes must answer: identity, limits, and what comes next.

🎄 Holiday Boundaries — Because leverage doesn’t stop at the arena. Scripts, exits, and how to protect your peace when family dynamics try to drag you back into old patterns.

This episode is about patterns — in contracts, careers, bodies, and families.

Listen now. Watch now. And tell us where you would draw the line.

They call it a “CBA Blueprint.” Michael calls it a death certificate. Athletes.org released a 38-page Collective Bargaining Agreement Framework dated Dec. 8, 2025, positioned as a path away from the fragmented NIL era toward standardized compensation and governance.

In this special mid-week podcast, Lee and Michael break down what’s actually inside:

• The portal window described as “college athletics’ version of free agency”

• A proposed non-employee collective bargaining concept

• Group licensing power routed through Athletes Inc.

• Pro-style budget/compliance concepts including a proposed 89% direct spending rule

• Removal of the CSC FMV system

College sports just unlocked a new character: private equity — and when capital shows up, it doesn’t come for vibes. It comes for growth.

In Episode 16 of the #AAABNP Podcast, Lee and Michael connect the dots between the money wave (Utah’s private-equity-backed for-profit move) and the behavior wave (spitting incidents, violence headlines, and gambling investigations). Because once the “product” becomes trust, the smallest acts of contempt start to cost real money.

In this episode: Culture contagion: leadership scandal + program rule-breaking + rivalry chaos. “Spit is contempt”: the NFL and college spitting wave and why it nukes NIL + reputation. Off-field violence and why “alleged” can still become a career event.

The betting virus: DOJ case activity, the Terry Rozier plea, and how insider info becomes a commodity. The rebuild: a practical survival kit for athletes protecting their name.

Chalk Talk tie-in: We also reference our Coach Prime “standards” breakdown (Elevate & Dominate) as the blueprint for culture that doesn’t collapse under pressure. ("Elevate and Dominate: 21 Ways to Win On and Off the Field" by Deion Sanders)

⚠️ Note: Several items discussed involve allegations and ongoing legal/league processes. We cite reporting and official releases; this is commentary/education, not legal advice.

This episode is dedicated to every grinder who stayed late, rode the bus, rehabbed the injury, and kept believing when nobody else did.

Today, Lee and Michael break down the 2025 MLB Rule 5 Draft — the most misunderstood, highest-stakes, second-chance mechanism in baseball.

Inside the Winter Meetings, while trades and free-agent deals steal the headlines, the Rule 5 Draft quietly reshapes careers. A player who wasn’t protected on the 40-man roster suddenly becomes a major leaguer overnight.

We explain how Rule 5 works, why teams protect certain players, why others are exposed, and why this draft is so deeply connected to young athletes who feel overlooked by recruiters, scouts, and coaches.

If you’re a baseball fan, athlete, parent, coach, or someone who’s ever felt undervalued — this episode will hit home.

Rule 5 isn’t about hype. Rule 5 is about belief. And sometimes the second chance is the one that defines you.

In Episode 14 of the Triple A Ball ’N Play™ Podcast, Lee and Michael run a full doubleheader:

Part Two – Rivalry Week Chaos & the 12-Team CFP

• Ohio State, Indiana, Texas A&M, Alabama, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, BYU, Virginia and the new CFP landscape

• Who’s in line for byes, who’s hosting campus games, and which teams just played themselves out

• Championship Weekend as the final argument to the Selection Committee

In Episode 14 of the Triple A Ball ’N Play™ Podcast, Lee and Michael run a full doubleheader:

Part One – MLB Hot Stove Truth Serum

• Dylan Cease to the Blue Jays and the new SP price floor

• Framber Valdez rumors, projected deals, and landing spots

• Power buyers vs smart buyers vs rebuilders (Dodgers, Yankees, Rangers, Phillies, Red Sox, Jays & more)

• Cody Bellinger, Josh Naylor, Munetaka Murakami, Alex Bregman and how agents are using their comps

• Agent strategy: RED → ORANGE → YELLOW pipeline and how Cease’s and Naylor’s contracts shift negotiations

College football fans saw the ads this weekend: glossy, emotional, “athlete-friendly” messages pushing Congress to pass the SCORE Act.

But behind the marketing is a hard truth — the SCORE Act is designed to limit athlete rights, not expand them.

In this Fast Break, Lee breaks down the real mechanisms inside the bill:
🔥Codifying Amateurism:
The SCORE Act legally blocks athletes from being classified as employees — shutting down unionization, collective bargaining, and labor protections.
🔥Antitrust Immunity for the NCAA:
The same system that lost decades of antitrust battles now wants immunity to set compensation limits without fear of lawsuits.
🔥Capping NIL Pay:
The bill allows the NCAA to create “pool limits” — effectively putting ceilings on athlete earnings while conferences collect billions.
🔥Hurting Smaller Schools & Olympic Sports: Power shifts even further toward the SEC and Big Ten, leaving everyone else more vulnerable.
And yes — there is a better alternative:
The SAFE Act in the Senate, which protects athlete rights instead of restricting them.

This is the real NIL battle of 2025.

A father in the stands, a rookie under the lights, a city dragging around a decades-old curse like an anvil on a chain… and a young QB who shrugged, tightened his chinstrap, and said: “I’m who they’ve been looking for.”

Shedeur Sanders didn’t just win his debut — he snapped a 26-year Browns curse. Join Lee, a Sports Lawyer and Athlete Agent, as she breaks down how a 5th-round QB shrugged off the hate, silenced the scouts, and showed why the Sanders family support system, and their faith, is the blueprint for modern athlete resilience.

Read Lee's full breakdown on why the Sanders family is the blueprint for modern athlete mental health. 👇 www.bnpsportsagency.com/blog/the-sanders-standard-5th-round-to-qb1-how-shedeurs-journey-is-a-case-study-in-resilience-family-and-faith

And join Lee next Wednesday as I break down Coach Prime’s 2023 Book Elevate and Dominate: 21 Ways to Win On and Off the Field in the next ChalkTalk Book Club. #ShedeurSanders #Browns #NFL #CoachPrime #Resilience #SportsAgent

(c)2025 Ball 'N Play™ Sports Agency PLLC

Drafted. Dashed. Undiscovered.

The WPBL just held its first-ever draft. The 2026 WNBA Draft Lottery is setting the top of a loaded class. And somewhere in between, real athletes and families are trying to figure out what happens after the cameras turn off.

In Episode 13 of the Triple A Ball ‘N Play™ Podcast, sports attorney/agent Lee Walpole Lassiter and former strength coach/agent Michael Agwara break down the truth behind drafts, lotteries, and “being seen” in women’s sports.

In this episode we cover:
*WPBL Reality Check – Why “drafted” doesn’t equal “signed,” how WPBL contracts and salaries really work, and what happens when half the class gets cut before opening day.

*The Apex of Opportunity: WNBA Draft Lottery 2026 – How the ping-pong balls actually work, who owns which picks, the odds profiles for Dallas, Minnesota, Seattle, Washington, and Chicago, and why Lauren Betts, Olivia Miles, Awa Fam, Azzi Fudd, and Flau’Jae Johnson are reshaping the board.

*Drafted, Dashed, or Undiscovered – A straight-talk blueprint for three groups of athletes:

• drafted but insecure

• passed over and hurting

• not on anyone’s board… yet

Language for kitchen-table conversations between parents and athletes when draft night didn’t go how you dreamed.

OUTLINE:

• Intro: Drafted, Dashed, or Undiscovered

• WPBL Reality Check: Draft Night Is Not Contract Night

• The Apex of Opportunity: Inside the 2026 WNBA Draft Lottery

• Drafted, Dashed, or Undiscovered: What You Do Next

• Mike’s Money Line + Outro

🎧For athletes, parents, coaches, and agents:
You’ll leave this episode with frameworks, not fairy tales — how to think about contracts, odds, roster math, NIL, branding, and building a career that outlives one night.

📲 Next steps

• Share this with an athlete who just went through a draft or is chasing one.

• Comment below: are you feeling drafted, dashed, or undiscovered right now?

• Go watch our post-lottery Fast Break Series where Michael reacts to the actual WNBA 2026 lottery order.

BLOG UP AT https://www.bnpsportsagency.com/blog/the-apex-of-opportunity-a-strategic-post-lottery-look-at-the-2026-wnba-draft-order

🔗More from Ball ’N Play™ Sports Agency Athlete representation • NIL strategy • Contracts • Tax & legacy planning IP Creation & Protection • Tax Defense •Athletes, Creators, & Entrepreneurs Links to our site, socials, and services are in the show notes.

Last Night’s WNBA Lottery didn’t give us answers — it gave us context.

In this Fast Break SERIES Michael Agwara breaks down what the results actually mean for players like Betts, Miles, Fudd, Flau’Jae, Fam, Rice, Latson, Beers, and the rest of the 2026 class.

What system could they fit into?

What coaches, cores, and cities might be waiting?

Why “you didn’t get picked — you got sorted” is the key mindset that separates pros from passengers.

Plus a reminder: by draft night, half the league will look different.

Your job? Stay ready.

🎧Stream the companion podcast Monday afternoon - “Drafted, Dashed, or Undiscovered” for the contract realities + emotional truths behind draft season and Read the Blog at www.bnpsportsagency.com

© 2025 Ball ’N Play Sports Agency PLLC.

In Episode 12 of the Triple A Ball ’N Play™ Podcast, Lee and Michael unpack the truth about legacy: how athletes rise, evolve, and build something that lasts long after the highlight reels fade.

We cover NIL stewardship, financial planning, mentorship, wealth protection, purpose discovery, and how to use your platform to build generational impact.

If you're an athlete, coach, parent, or leader trying to build something meaningful beyond the scoreboard — this episode is your blueprint.

Outline:

• Why Legacy Matters

• Planning for What’s Next

• Financial & Strategic Stewardship

• Inspiring the Next Generation

• Mike’s Money Line

• Outro

🔥Follow Ball ’N Play:
IG | TikTok | Threads | FB | @BallNPlaySportsAgency

Ball ’N Play Sports Agency PLLC © 2025

You know what really ticks me off?
When people wrap power grabs in words like “stability” and “order” and then expect everybody to clap.

The new College Sports Commission Participation Agreement?
That’s not stability. That’s a surrender of sovereignty with a pretty bow on top.
I’m going to say the quiet part loud:

No school in America should be signing this thing.

The CSC Participation Agreement is a constitutional mess:

• No lawsuits allowed

• CSC-controlled arbitration

• Schools liable for boosters/fans

• Deloitte NIL surveillance over $600

• Compensation caps

• Even a gag order blocking schools from lobbying.

This is not “stability.” It’s control.

If universities sign this, they’re signing away state authority, student-athlete freedom, and their own due-process rights. The CSC is creating a private regulatory regime with zero public accountability.

Full breakdown in the blog at www.bnpsportsagency.com/blog

The Women’s Professional Baseball League is about to throw the switch. This episode breaks down the inaugural WPBL Draft through the lens of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein—a creation story about assembling parts, animating them with intention, and deciding whether the creature thrives…or turns on its maker.

We dive into:

• Kelsie Whitmore as the #1 overall “heart” of the build

• Ayami Sato and the global “unhallowed arts” powering the league

• Claire & Elodie O’Sullivan as the essential companion narrative

• Veterans Micaela Minner, Homa Schweers & Meggie Meidlinger as the brainstem of the operation

• Strategic picks from Rounds 2–5, including Eccles, Beppu, Bearpaw, Benites & Leblanc

• The soul, culture, and identity that will determine whether this new league lives

Join us TOMORROW at 8pm EST for our Live WPBL Draft Watch Party streaming on Twitter/X, Instagram, and YouTube. We’re covering every pick, every shock, every storyline.

© 2025 Ball ’N Play Sports Agency PLLC

Age Is Just the Count: How Micaela Minner and Homa Schweers Are Proving Experience Belongs in the WPBL (And Why That Makes Me Cheer)

In her latest Podcast, Lee Walpole Lassiter, Esq. celebrates the return of professional women’s baseball — and two athletes who refuse to let age define their game.

As the Women’s Pro Baseball League (WPBL) prepares for its 2026 debut, forty-year-old standouts Micaela Minner and Homa Schweers are rewriting the rules on what it means to be “in your prime.”

From Minner’s powerhouse days at the University of Missouri and her career mentoring hundreds of young athletes, to Schweers’ decades of grassroots leadership and endurance, both women embody what the WPBL stands for: opportunity that doesn’t expire.

Lee draws a parallel to her own “second inning” as a sports attorney and agent, cheering for a league that values persistence as much as potential. Her message is clear — in the WPBL and in life, experience is the real MVP.

Check out the whole Countdown to History FastBreak Series! ⚾️ The countdown to history starts NOW. From Mo’ne Davis to Kelsie Whitmore, Micaela Minner to Homa Schweers — the WPBL Draft is here.

Join Lee and Michael as they drop daily Fast Breaks, blogs, and behind-the-scenes breakdowns leading up to their LIVE Draft coverage on November 20 @ 8 PM EST.

🎙️Welcome to the Triple A Ball ‘N Play™ Podcast – the podcast where amateur sports, business, and the law collide.

Each week, we dive into the real issues shaping the future of high school and NCAA athletics—from navigating NIL opportunities and brand building to eligibility concerns and recruiting chaos. Whether you’re an athlete, parent, coach, or advocate, we break down what you need to know to protect your rights, maximize your potential, and make smart moves on and off the field.

From locker rooms to boardrooms, the Triple A Ball ‘N Play™ Podcast is your playbook for life in the NIL era.

🏀 NIL isn't just about money. 💵 It's about knowledge, power, and having the right team behind you.
🏈 Meet your new NIL legal ⚖️ hype squad. ⚾️
🎙️ Episode 1 is live now. ⚽️

❓❓❓Got NIL questions❓❓❓ 📩 Put them below in the comments - we'll answer them on-air next week!

©️2025 Ball ‘N Play™ Sports Agency PLLC 🎯

🚨 High school NIL laws aren’t universal. Some states say YES. Others say HELL NO.
⚠️ Don’t sign anything until you know what you’re allowed to do. 👇 Comment your state and we’ll reply with your NIL status.
🎧 Full breakdown in Episode 2 of the Triple A Ball 'N Play Podcast.

Parents can be the biggest supporters—or the biggest obstacles—in an athlete’s journey. From sideline meltdowns to shady NIL “advice,” we’ve seen it all. In this episode, Lee and Michael break down the wildest parent moves in recruiting and NIL, why they backfire, and what families should be doing instead.

💡 Learn how to:
✔️ Avoid sabotaging your athlete’s opportunities
✔️ Navigate NIL the right way
✔️ Support your kid’s dreams without stealing the spotlight

Catch the legal insight, real-life stories, and hot takes that every athlete and parent needs to hear.

📥 NIL deals sliding into your DMs? Not all of them are real. In Episode 4 of the Triple A Ball ‘N Play™ Podcast, Michael and Lee break down the NIL scams athletes face every day, how to spot the red flags, and what to do before you sign anything.

Topics include:
✔️ Real NIL scam examples
✔️ Red flags in shady deals and fake agents
✔️ What a legit NIL offer looks like
✔️ Protecting your eligibility and your money

Athletes are signing contracts they don’t understand—and it’s costing them BIG. In this episode of the Ball ‘N Play™ Podcast, Lee and Michael break down the fine print: shady NIL deals, hidden contract clauses, and how to protect yourself before you ever pick up a pen. Whether you’re a high school athlete, a college star, or a parent trying to guide your kid, this episode is your playbook for avoiding the dumb mistakes that derail futures.

We cover:
• The most common NIL contract traps
• Why athletes (and parents) must read the fine print
• Real stories of “sign here, dummy” gone wrong
• How a sports agent/lawyer team can help you stay protected

⚖️ Hosted by Mike & Lee - both Florida-registered athlete agents.

📢 Subscribe for new episodes every week.

Your boy ain’t a brand—yet. In this episode of the Triple A Ball ‘N Play™ Podcast, Lee and Michael break down why athletes can’t just slap a hashtag on Instagram and call it marketing. We dig into what actually builds a brand—authenticity, consistency, and strategy. Whether you’re a high school prospect, a college star, or gunning for the pros, this one’s a wake-up call.

🔥 Topics covered:
- Why hype without foundation won’t land you NIL deals
- Building a personal brand beyond the highlight reel
- Red flags that make sponsors walk away
- Real steps to turn “just a player” into a marketable brand

Ball ‘N Play™ is more than a podcast—we’re athlete agents and advisors (and Lee's an attorney) making sure athletes get it right from day one.

Think your NIL side hustle is harmless? Think again. Lee and Michael dive into the gray line between entrepreneurship and eligibility risk. From brand deals to bad contracts, they expose what kills athletic careers faster than injury.

🎧 Full episode + Fast Breaks + Book Club ➜ www.bnpsportsagency.com

Athletes chase offers. Coaches make promises. Then—silence. 👻

In Episode 8, Lee & Michael break down the recruiting game’s ugly truth: when you’re the one they wanted—until you weren’t.

Segment 1: How NIL Has Changed Recruiting
Segment 2: What Coaches Are Really Looking For
Segment 3: Red Flags That Get You Ghosted
Segment 4: How to Be the Recruit They Remember

📲 NIL changed the game—and recruiting. This episode breaks it all down.

Who’s real, and who’s here for the NIL?

In Episode 9 of the Triple Ball ‘N Play™ Podcast, Lee (Wendilee Walpole Lassiter — attorney & athlete agent) and Mike (Michael Agwara — sports agent & realist) talk about dating, clout, and reputation when money and fame hit your DMs.

🔥 What We Cover
• Fame & Clout – why NIL changed who slides into your life
• Relationship Red Flags – “our brand” talk before “our relationship”
• Protect Your Peace – how to date without wrecking your reputation
• Faith & Accountability – values over validation

🎧 Listen on Spotify | Apple | YouTube Music | Amazon Podcasts
🧾 Downloads → Athlete Reputation Playbook & Protect Your Peace Checklist at BallNPlaySportsAgency.com

💰 NIL money hits different—until the IRS hits back.

In Episode 10 of the Triple A Ball ‘N Play™ Podcast, Wendilee “Lee” Walpole Lassiter (attorney & tax expert) and Michael Agwara (sports agent & realist) break down the real truth about NIL taxes.

From 1099s and LLCs to deductions and IRS audits, this one’s a must-watch for athletes, parents, and anyone getting paid for their name, image, or likeness.

📚 What You’ll Learn:
• What counts as NIL income (IRS Publication 525)
• When and how to file (Publications 334, 505, 583)
• What’s deductible for athletes (Publication 535)
• How to stay compliant, organized, and audit-proof

🧾 Download this week’s free NIL resources:
The NIL Tax Survival Guide + Receipt Routine Tracker → www.BallNPlaySportsAgency.com/taxresources

🎧 Subscribe on Spotify, Apple, YouTube Music & Amazon Podcasts.

🧠 In this week’s episode, Mike & Lee dig into the toughest matchup every athlete faces — the battle with yourself.

Segment Breakdown:
1️⃣ The Pressure to Perform: How NIL turns every play and post into profit pressure.
2️⃣ The Identity Crisis: When being “the athlete” becomes your whole identity — and how to find the real you behind the jersey.
3️⃣ Burnout Is Real: Why constant grind culture is killing creativity and joy.
4️⃣ Taking Care of You: Faith, therapy, boundaries, and rest — because protecting your peace is protecting your brand.

#MikesMoneyLine: “ Mental wealth is part of your NIL value. Protect it like your brand depends on it — because it does.”

👉 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts and join the conversation on mental health, NIL pressure, and athlete identity.

Follow, subscribe, and join the movement at ballnplaysportsagency.com. © 2025 Ball ’N Play Sports Agency PLLC. All rights reserved. | Protect Your Bag. Protect Your Brand. Protect Your Peace.