Texas
University of Texas releases NIL contract after open records fight

The preliminary, redacted model of a College of Texas contract Axios obtained shielded the quantity the college was paying a agency to seek the advice of on name-image-likeness points. Photograph of doc: Asher Value/Axios
Greater than a 12 months after Axios requested the College of Texas for a contract with a agency that provides recommendation on dealing with the brand new frontier of student-athletes and sponsorship cash, the state lawyer normal’s workplace compelled college officers to fork over an unredacted copy.
Why it issues: College directors formally took no stance on the total launch of the contract, however they acknowledged they defer to enterprise pursuits who need info saved underneath wraps and requested for an opinion from the lawyer normal — as a substitute of merely releasing it to the general public.
Particulars: UT officers had refused to inform Axios Austin how a lot the college was paying a agency known as Altius Sports activities Companions to seek the advice of on name-image-likeness points involving student-athletes.
- A pair years in the past the NCAA, underneath public and court docket strain, relaxed guidelines that had prevented student-athletes from making a buck off their title, picture or likeness.
UT athletes earned greater than $2 million in NIL funds throughout the first athletic 12 months because the rule change, the American-Statesman reported final 12 months.
What they’re saying: Asking for an opinion from the lawyer normal “is a punt and a weak excuse,” Kelley Shannon, govt director of the Freedom of Data Basis of Texas, tells Axios.
- “It is not following the intent of the legislation, that super-public info” — similar to the entire value of a authorities contract or service deadlines — “needs to be launched instantly,” she stated, citing a 2019 legislation authored by then-state Sen. Kirk Watson — now Austin’s mayor.
- “What we see, and what we discover very troublesome, is governmental entities — not simply UT — sitting again and letting personal corporations management the whole lot with regards to what the general public is aware of,” she stated.
The opposite facet: Altius had argued that disclosing the data would “trigger substantial aggressive hurt.”
- Altius presents steering on how one can method name-image-likeness points as universities navigate teachers, NCAA compliance, social justice points and the COVID-19 pandemic, per firm officers.
The settlement with UT was a “starter deal,” the corporate wrote to the lawyer normal’s workplace, “that means it was considerably decrease than market worth because the agency builds a basis within the NIL market.
- “The discharge of the compensation payable to ASP will trigger substantial hurt in that if different establishments are in a position to cite the quantity payable from UT to ASP, this has the impact of setting an inappropriate ceiling for what ASP can cost its shoppers,” Courtney Brunious Chief Working Officer of Altius Sports activities Companions, wrote to the lawyer normal’s workplace in September.
- “It additionally chills the market and lowers the compensation for NIL companies, making a race to the underside for which NIL service suppliers shall be compelled to drop out of the market altogether, leaving establishments with out vital companies,” Brunious continued.
Nevertheless, citing state legislation that requires state company contracts that do not contain aggressive bidding be posted on the web, and necessities that closing contract pricing and different key info be made public, the lawyer normal’s workplace dominated that chunks of the redacted contract needed to be unredacted.
- UT is at present paying Altius $7,000 a month, per the contract, which sees the college paying as much as $252,000 over three years, per the unredacted doc turned over to Axios.
- The college agreed to pay Altius an preliminary price of $15,000, per newly unredacted info.
- Of notice: Income generated by the athletics division is used to pay the Altius contract, in response to college officers.
The massive image: Open information points stay a authorized battleground in Texas — and are positive to bubble up once more within the new session of the Texas Legislature.

Texas
Lawyers for wealthy Texas housewife accused of plowing Porsche into man on first date argue her designer heels caused deadly crash

The wealthy Texas housewife accused of plowing into and killing a man on a first date while drunk and high claims her expensive high heels got stuck on the gas pedal of her Porsche 911 Carrera.
Kristina Chambers, 34, went on trial Friday for manslaughter in connection with the April 2023 crash that killed 33-year-old Joseph McMullin as he and his date were leaving a Voodoo Doughnut shop in Houston.
Prosecutors allege Chambers had been bar-hopping with friends that night, was four times over the legal alcohol limit, and had small baggies of cocaine in her car and purse, according to the Houston Chronicle.
But her attorney, Mark Thiessen, argued her designer shoes caused the fatal crash.
Thiessen claims his clients expensive Christian Louboutin heels had gotten stuck on the gas pedal of her Porsche as she drover down “one of Houston’s most dangerous curves.”
However, prosecutors Andrew Figliuzzi refuted the argument to the jury — believing Chambers was “itching to show off her sports car” to her two friends inside the Porsche at the time of the fatal wreck.
About an hour after the crash, Chambers registered a blood alcohol level of .301, nearly four times the legal limit, the Houston Chronicle reported, citing medical records.
Audio tech Briana Iturrino, who was on a date with McMullin that night, told the court they’d just left Voodoo Doughnuts around 2:25 a.m. when she saw blinding headlights barreling straight at them.
Iturrino testified that she realized the speedy sports car — estimated to be traveling over 70 mph at the time of impact — was about to make a sharp turn directly toward them.
In the blink of an eye, the Porsche whipped past, missing Iturrino by inches — and when she turned to shout a warning to McMullin, he had vanished.
“I thought he had gotten out of the way, because I couldn’t find him,” Iturrino said.
Iturrino said she felt something brush against her hip, which she first thought was the car, but later realized was McMullin being thrown about 30 feet as Chambers drove on and slammed into a pole.
She then called 911 and a dispatcher instructed her to perform CPR until paramedics arrived, but McMullin died at the scene.
Chambers and her two passengers were injured in the wreck.
The general manager of the nearby Slick Willie’s pool hall, Alfredo Ponce, also testified, telling the court he heard the crash and ran outside to help, the outlet reported.
“I’ve seen so many accidents on that road,” Ponce said. “Every time, I get out and help whoever needs help and is injured.”
Ponce testified that the crash was one of the worst he had seen and said when he reached the sports car to help those inside he remembered it reeked of alcohol.
Chambers was charged with manslaughter in McMullin’s death. She has pleaded not guilty, with prosecutors alleging she was driving at an excessive speed and lost control of her vehicle.
In the two years since her arrest, Chambers’ case has seen a string of legal battles.
A wrongful death lawsuit filed by McMullin’s parents against Chambers in June 2023 remains pending.
The suit also partly blames Chambers’ former partner — hedge fund manager, Xuan Si, who filed for divorce from her just days after she was released on bail — for purchasing the luxury sports car just months before the fatal crash.
However, Si has denied purchasing the sports car for his ex-wife, claiming instead that she bought the car herself using cash from their joint account.
Si also denied that his wife had a drinking problem, and said he had never seen her consume drugs or drive drunk.
Sebastian Lopez — a close friend who was riding with Chambers the night of the fatal crash — described her as an “alcoholic” in his deposition and claimed Si knew she regularly drank and did drugs.
He added that she’d driven drunk “a handful” of times, even after getting the luxury Porsche.
McMullins grieving parents are seeking over $1 million in compensation for their son’s death.
Lawyers in Chambers’ criminal trial have been forbidden from mentioning the explosive claims in the civil lawsuit, which is slated for an April court date.
Texas
Texas Oil Men Catch the Buzz About New Nuclear Technology

Welcome to our guide to the commodities powering the global economy. Today, Will Wade looks at how soaring energy demand is making Texas excited about nuclear power.
Country music was playing during lunch as conference attendees wearing cowboy boots talked energy. But the chatter wasn’t about oil — all the buzz was for “electrons.”
Texas
Here’s how to buy LSU vs. Texas A&M college football tickets

There’s not many undefeated teams left at the top of the college football rankings, but Texas A&M is one of them. LSU will be looking for redemption when the Aggies roll into town, after losing to Vanderbilt and dropping nine spots in the USA Today Coaches Poll.
Vanderbilt defeated LSU, nearly dropping the Tigers to sub-20 ranking. On the other hand, the Aggies have only faced one ranked opponent, squeaking by Notre Dame earlier in the season. Texas A&M is coming off a close win over the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Don’t miss this top-20 SEC matchup, tickets are available now.
Here’s everything you need to know to buy LSU vs. Texas A&M tickets:
LSU vs. Texas A&M college football tickets
The LSU Tigers will host the Texas A&M Aggies at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La. on Saturday, Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Tickets are available now, starting at $117. For a slightly better view, tickets on the east or west sides are starting at $327.
LSU vs. Texas A&M game information
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