Ohio

NIL Fundraiser With Michigan Ignites Controversy Among Ohio State Fans

Published

1 year ago

November 16, 2024

NIL Fundraiser With Michigan Ignites Controversy Among Ohio State Fans

The storied rivalry between the Ohio State Buckeyes and Michigan Wolverines, which has defined generations of college football, took an unexpected turn with the announcement of a joint fundraising initiative between the schools’ NIL collectives.

The “NIL Rivalry Raise” aims to secure funds to benefit student-athletes at both programs, fueling their ability to capitalize on name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities. While framed as a competitive challenge leading to the annual clash between the Buckeyes and Wolverines, the campaign has ignited intense backlash from Ohio State’s passionate fanbase.

The premise of the NIL Rivalry Raise is simple: fans from both sides contribute donations that go exclusively to athletes from their respective schools. The event will unfold over four quarters, each offering fans a unique set of activities.

These include an auction featuring exclusive gear, sweepstakes for VIP experiences at the 2024 matchup in Columbus, and a focus on mental health awareness, partnering with organizations like the Eisenberg Depression Center, Sack the Stigma, and The Kids MentalHealth Foundation.

Despite the potentially positive impact on athletes and charitable causes, the announcement struck a nerve with Ohio State supporters. Many see the partnership as an insult to the intense rivalry with Michigan, a bond that runs as deep as it is contentious. For some, even the notion of cooperation with their arch-rivals is an unforgivable breach of tradition and loyalty.

Whoa! Lot of responses and we love the passion. To be clear, every dollar on every bid for Ohio State items and experiences stays where it belongs, in support of the Buckeyes. Signing Day is coming up and nothing gets the competitive juices flowing like The Game. So help us…
— The 1870 Society (@the1870society) November 14, 2024

Fan reaction on social media has been swift and overwhelmingly negative, with some threatening to redirect their donations from The 1870 Society to other Ohio State collectives, such as The Foundation. Critics argue that any acknowledgment of Michigan in a joint fundraising effort could inadvertently bolster their rivals, diminishing the advantage that Ohio State has worked to build. Even assurances that Buckeye donations would remain within the program have done little to assuage the concerns of those who view the partnership as a betrayal.

While a few voices have defended the campaign, framing it as another competitive arena to “defeat” Michigan, they remain in the minority. For most Ohio State fans, any collaboration, even one structured as a rivalry challenge, is a step too far.

The controversy underscores the enduring passion and intensity surrounding “The Game.” For many fans, the sanctity of the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry is paramount, and any move perceived as softening that edge is met with fierce resistance and emotional pushback.

While initiatives like the NIL Rivalry Raise might aim to harness competitive energy for a good cause, they ultimately remind us how deeply rooted this clash of two storied programs remains.

Any tension stirred up by off-field collaborations will be set aside when the two teams take the field. The fierce competition, historical stakes, and raw emotions that define this rivalry will undoubtedly quash any lingering controversy. For fans and athletes alike, what truly matters is victory. That singular focus will be on full display when Ohio State and Michigan face off in their annual showdown, reigniting one of college football’s greatest spectacles.

Source link

Ohio

After her son died in car wreck, Ohio mom fought for public records

Published

6 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Press Room

After her son died in car wreck, Ohio mom fought for public records

A mom searching for answers about her son’s death in a car wreck won a victory on Dec. 19 when the Ohio Supreme Court ordered the Richland County Sheriff to release records to her.

The court ruled in a unanimous decision that Andrea Mauk is entitled to three sets of records withheld by the sheriff, with only Social Security numbers being redacted. Mauk will be awarded $2,000 in damages but will not receive attorney fees.

On June 23, 2023, 18-year-old Damon Mauk lost control of his 1998 Ford Mustang and slammed it into a tree. His mother wanted to piece together what happened, collect his belongings and grieve the loss of her child. She didn’t think she’d have to fight for public records and take her case to the Ohio Supreme Court.

Following the crash, Richland County Sheriff’s deputies, a township fire department and the Ohio State Highway Patrol responded.

During the investigation, a trooper told a deputy to leave Damon’s iPhone and wallet in the car, according to Mauk’s court filings. Instead, the deputy took the belongings to the hospital and handed them off to someone who said he was Damon’s dad.

Mauk didn’t understand. Damon’s father was largely absent from his life. How could he have been there to pick up the wallet and phone?

A few weeks after the fatal crash, Mauk asked for records, including: the sheriff’s report and inventory of items taken from the car, body camera footage from deputies who gave away the belongings, the report, photos and videos created by the patrol and more.

Mauk, of the Mansfield area, received some but not all of the requested records. Mauk hired attorney Brian Bardwell to pursue records she believes exist but weren’t provided or were improperly redacted.

The sheriff’s office claimed that some of the requested records were exempt from disclosure because they are confidential law enforcement records or personal notes. The court privately reviewed the records withheld from Mauk and determined that they should be released.

The decision in favor of releasing records runs contrary to recent rulings from the high court.

In 2024, the court held that the cost of sending troopers to protect Gov. Mike DeWine at a Super Bowl game weren’t subject to disclosure and that the Ohio Department of Health should redact from a database the names and addresses of Ohioans who had died, even though that death certificate information can be released on an individual case basis.

In 2025 the court ruled that police officers’ names may be kept confidential if they’re attacked on the job, giving them privacy rights afforded to crime victims.

State government reporter Laura Bischoff can be reached at lbischoff@usatodayco.com and @lbischoff on X.

Source link

Ohio

No. 21 Ohio State women beat Norfolk State 79-45

Published

18 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Press Room

No. 21 Ohio State women beat Norfolk State 79-45

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Kylee Kitts scored 13 points, Jaloni Cambridge added 11 and No. 21 Ohio State rolled past Norfolk State 79-45 on Thursday night for its eighth straight win.

Dasha Biriuk added 10 points for Ohio State, which is 10-1 overall and 7-0 at home.

Kitts was 6 of 12 from the field, and grabbed 10 rebounds to go with two steals and two blocks. Cambridge was 4-of-8 shooting and had eight rebounds and two steals.

Cambridge scored seven points in the first quarter as the Buckeyes jumped out to a 20-10 lead and built a 43-21 halftime advantage. Kitts and Cambridge each scored nine first-half points.

Ohio State outrebounded Norfolk State 55-32 and scored 21 points off 17 turnovers.

Jasha Clinton scored 18 points to lead Norfolk State (5-9). Ciara Bailey had 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Up next

Norfolk State plays at Elon on Sunday.

Ohio State hosts Western Michigan on Mondahy.

___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball

Source link

Ohio

Menards to pay 10 states, including Ohio, $4.25 million in rebate settlement

Published

1 day ago

December 18, 2025

Press Room

Menards to pay 10 states, including Ohio, .25 million in rebate settlement

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Ohio is part of a multistate lawsuit settlement against home improvement store Menards.

According to the state Attorney General’s Office, Ohio and nine other states reached the settlement with Menards, a Wisconsin-based home-improvement retail store, over allegations of deceptive rebate advertising.

The 10-state led investigation revealed that Menards would give shoppers the impression that they were getting an immediate discount while shopping through its advertising, when in fact, savings actually came in the form of a rebate or in-store credit.

The investigation raised concerns with Menards’ marketing strategy and sales practices, alleging the following of the company:

Advertised 11% off or 11% off everything that suggested an instant price cut, even though customers received only a rebate on future purchases.
Listed prices already at an 11% discount, reinforcing the idea that shoppers were getting an in-store discount.
Failed to clearly explain the important limits of the rebate program, burying key details in the fine print.
Tell customers that Rebates International was a separate company handling rebates, even though it is operated by Menards itself.

The settlement, announced Thursday, included an agreement by Menards that it would, in part, discontinue ads suggesting immediate discounts, clearly explaining the rules, limits, and conditions of its rebate program, and offer customers an easier path towards claiming rebates, both in person and online, among other changes.

In addition, Menards will pay participating states $4.25 million in fees, of which $365,173.05 will go toward the Ohio Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Enforcement Fund.

Source link