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The NBA media rights deal could bring about a once-impossible feat: the $100 million salary

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The NBA media rights deal could bring about a once-impossible feat: the 0 million salary

As the NBA closes in on a new media rights deal, much of the attention has been on what it means for the league and its teams. But there’s also another beneficiary of the set of deals that will reportedly pay the league an average of $6.9 billion over 11 years: the players.

Those new deals — whether they end up with Warner Bros. Discovery, NBC or Amazon as partners alongside Disney – should more than double the current deals, which are slated to pay the league roughly $3 billion next season in the final year of its contracts with Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery. While not guaranteed, the expectation among team executives is that the salary cap will rise the maximum allowable 10 percent over the first seasons under the new media landscape, which will begin with the 2025-26 season.

The amount of money set to pour into the league will likely bring about what surely was once considered an impossible feat: the $100 million salary.

NBA players are already amassing wealth like never before. Any player part of the 2022 draft class will have the opportunity to make more than $1 billion alone in NBA contracts, before any endorsements or sponsorship deals. If the cap keeps rising as projected, a player might be able to make that much over the course of two contracts in his prime. Jaylen Brown’s record-setting contract, which could be worth as much as $304 million, could look small by comparison.

The NBA could have its first $100 million salary by the 2032-33 season. That’s assuming a salary cap of $141 million next season, as the league currently projects, and then 10 percent cap-raises after that.

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Under that forecast, the salary cap would hit more than $302 million, which would allow a number of players to cross the $100 million threshold. For example, a player in the first year of his supermax contract, which pays 35 percent of the cap, could make as much as $105.79 million during the 2032-33 season — that’s double the league-high $51.9 million Stephen Curry made this season. A player in the second year of a supermax contract that kicked in the season before could make $103.86 million that season. A player in the third year of a supermax contract that began during the 2030-31 season could make $101.41 million.

The size of the contracts will be eye-popping. A five-year supermax deal that begins with the 2030-31 season will be worth $507 million under these estimates. One that begins the next season will be worth $557.78 million. The supermax that kicks in during the 2032-33 season would be valued at $613.56 million.

Projected NBA Supermax Contracts

Season Projected Cap 35% Max Salary Supermax Deal

24-25

$141 million

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$49.35 million

$286.23 million

25-26

$155.1 million

$54.29 million

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$314.85 million

26-27

$170.61 million

$59.71 million

$346.34 million

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27-28

$187.671 million

$65.68 million

$380.97 million

28-29

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$206.438 million

$72.25 million

$419.07 million

29-30

$227.082 million

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$79.48 million

$460.98 million

30-31

$249.79 million

$87.43 million

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$507.07 million

31-32

$274.769 million

$96.17 million

$557.78 million

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32-33

$302.246 million

$105.79 million

$613.56 million

Those numbers could be overly generous, of course. Maybe the cap doesn’t go up 10 percent every year, and salaries don’t go up so quickly. While the national media rights could account for roughly 30-40 percent of all basketball revenue when they kick in, the local media revenue seems set to dip — and who knows what other issues might pop up.

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That timetable might also be too slow. Either the NBA or the NBPA could opt-out of this CBA by Oct. 15, 2028 and that would trigger a new CBA for the 2029-30 season. What if that CBA doesn’t have cap-smoothing and has no ceiling on how quickly the cap can go up? Or, it gets rid of the rule that sets max salaries at 35 percent of the cap? Get ready for some big numbers.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver and president of global content & media distribution Bill Koenig have surely made a lot of people happy. The league’s still-new collective bargaining agreement was written with a new media rights deal in mind and this should allow the NBA to have labor peace through the end of this CBA, set to run until 2030 if no one opts out. There was always a small chance that the NBA would ever have to execute the opt-out clause it has in the current CBA that lets it get out of the agreement if its media income fell to a certain threshold compared to what it took in during the 2022-23 season. But with such large numbers on the horizon, the league — and its players — is approaching even loftier wealth.


Since it’s never too early to talk about the offseason — at least that’s what every TV segment about the NBA tells me — it’s a good time to remind everyone about this summer’s hottest read: the CBA.

Some of the most restrictive parts of the new CBA are set to come in next season and the new cap year starts on July 1. They will color how teams act this summer.

Starting with the first day after the just-concluded regular season, teams above the first apron ($172.346 million) can only trade for a player who makes up to the value of the salary they are dealing away. Any traded player exceptions first-apron teams generated over the past year will no longer be usable unless they get back down below the apron.

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Teams above the second apron ($182.794 million) can no longer aggregate player salaries — that provision kicked in with the end of the regular season. Those teams cannot send out their own player in a sign-and-trade, and they can’t send cash in a trade.

The “frozen pick” rule will go into effect next season. If a team is above the second apron on the last day of the 2024-25 regular season, then its first-round pick seven years out (2032) cannot be traded. If that team is above the second apron in two of the next four years, that frozen pick will also be moved to the end of the first round in that year’s draft. A team can unfreeze its pick if it is below or equal to the second apron in at least three of the next four years.

If a team does one of the things listed above, then it will be hard-capped at the apron threshold it has yet to cross.

If a team pulls off a trade between the end of the regular season and the start of the new cap year with a maneuver that is not allowed for teams above the first or second apron, then that team will be hard-capped for the rest of the current salary cap year and the next one. But the new CBA does allow teams some flexibility because that doesn’t kick in until after the 2024-25 regular season; teams can still have their total salaries go above an apron level between the end of the 2023-24 regular season through June 30, 2024 without being hard-capped.

There is also a new concern for teams that don’t hit the salary floor. Starting with the 2024-25 season, teams that don’t hit the floor won’t receive any of the money paid out to non-taxpaying teams.

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Beginning on July 1, teams will now be able to use the non-taxpayer midlevel, the room midlevel or the biannual exception to trade for one or multiple players or acquire a player on a waiver claim (the player’s contract can’t exceed the max length allowed by that exception). The exception won’t be able to get aggregated.

Teams will also get more latitude with extend-and-trade contracts. On July 1, those will be able to go up to a total of four years and 120 percent of the prior salary.

(Photo: David Berding / Getty Images)

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Falcons hire franchise legend Matt Ryan to major front office role

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Falcons hire franchise legend Matt Ryan to major front office role

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The Atlanta Falcons have added one of the team’s greatest players to its front office.

The Falcons announced on Saturday that former quarterback Matt Ryan, who spent the first 14 years of his 15-year NFL career with the team after being drafted third overall in 2008, will be president of football on Saturday. The 40-year-old Ryan, who holds team records for passing yards, touchdowns and wins, will assume the new role immediately.

Ryan will report directly to owner Arthur Blank and collaborate with president and CEO Greg Beadles to ensure the alignment of the business and football areas of the organization.

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Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) on the sideline before he is inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor at halftime of a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on Oct. 3, 2024. (Brett Davis/Imagn Images)

“Throughout his remarkable 14-year career in Atlanta, Matt’s leadership, attention to detail, knowledge of the game and unrelenting drive to win made him the most successful player in our franchise’s history,” Blank said in a statement.

“I am confident those same qualities will be a tremendous benefit to our organization as he steps into this new role. From his playing days to his time as an analyst at CBS, Matt has always been a student of the game, and he brings an astute understanding of today’s NFL, as well as unique knowledge of our organization and this market. I have full confidence and trust in Matt as we strive to deliver a championship caliber team for Atlanta and Falcons fans everywhere.”

The Falcons fired head coach Raheem Morris on Sunday after back-to-back 8-9 seasons. The Falcons had won their last four games, leading some to believe Morris might be afforded a third season, but Blank had other plans.

AARON RODGERS TAKES THINLY-VEILED SHOT AT JETS AHEAD OF STEELERS’ PLAYOFF GAME

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CBS Sports broadcaster Matt Ryan before a game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, on Nov. 16, 2025. (Ron Chenoy/Imagn Images)

The Falcons also fired general manager Terry Fontenot after five seasons on Sunday. Ryan will be fully involved in the team’s search for the Falcons’ next head coach and general manager.

“Arthur gave me the chance of a lifetime almost twenty years ago, and he’s done it again today,” Ryan said in a statement.

“While I appreciate the time I had with the Colts and with CBS, I’ve always been a Falcon. It feels great to be home. I could not be more excited, grateful, or humbled by this new opportunity. I began my career with a singular goal: to do right by the Blank family, the Falcons organization, the City of Atlanta, and especially our fans. My commitment to the success of this franchise has not changed. I’m beyond ready to help write a new chapter of excellence.”

Ryan has spent the last three seasons as a member of the CBS Sports team as an analyst.

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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) passes the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the second half at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, on Jan. 2, 2022. (Rich Barnes/USA TODAY Sports)

“I want to thank the incredible team at CBS Sports. I loved my three years there and I am truly grateful for their support in pursuing this opportunity. The CBS Sports culture is amazing, and I have made teammates and friends for life,” Ryan said in a statement.

Ryan, who was drafted out of Boston College, played with the Falcons for 14 seasons and holds many franchise records, including passing yards (59,735), attempts (8,003), completions (5,242), passing touchdowns (367), passer rating (94.6), completion percentage (65.5) and 300-yard games (73).

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High school basketball: Friday’s boys’ and girls’ scores

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High school basketball: Friday’s boys’ and girls’ scores

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL

FRIDAY’S RESULTS

BOYS

CITY SECTION

Dorsey 75, Northridge Academy 67

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El Camino Real 60, Carson 40

Fairfax 80, North Hollywood 43

Harbor Teacher 43, Torres 33

LA Hamilton 47, Marquez 40

LA University 74, Franklin 52

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Santee 71, Rise Kohyang 39

SOCES 74, Lincoln 73

South East 59, Locke 45

View Park 44, Orthopaedic 40

Westbrook 57, Maywood CES 56

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Wilmington Banning 50, Verdugo Hills 37

WISH Academy 50, University Prep Value 47

SOUTHERN SECTION

ACE 57, Victor Valley Christian 45

Agoura 52, Newbury Park 48

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Alhambra 57, Montebello 43

Aliso Niguel 39, Beckman 37

Anaheim 57, Garden Grove Santiago 42

Anaheim Canyon 75, Santa Ana Foothill 52

Animo Leadership 61, Ambassador 58

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Arcadia 69, Muir 45

Arlington 73, Hemet 66

Arrowhead Christian 68, Linfield Christian 53

Arroyo 79, Pasadena Marshall 57

Ayala 67, Diamond Bar 63

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Azusa 77, Duarte 76

Banning 77, Desert Mirage 30

Bassett 51, Pomona 18

Bell Gardens 69, San Gabriel 49

Beverly Hills 57, Culver City 48

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Big Bear 98, AAE 49

Bishop Amat 91, Gardena Serra 49

Blair 95, South Pasadena 78

Bonita 68, Walnut 51

Brea Olinda 67, Garden Grove Pacifica 53

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Burbank Burroughs 72, Glendale 64

Calabasas 81, Westlake 70

California 84, El Rancho 39

California Lutheran 66, Desert Christian Academy 65

Calvin Christian 63, Cornerstone Christian 28

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Cathedral 73, Cantwell-Sacred Heart 69

Cerritos 60, Whitney 32

Chaminade 55, Loyola 48

Citrus Hill 80, Canyon Springs 55

Corona Centennial 89, Norco 21

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Corona Santiago 70, Eastvale Roosevelt 63

Crescenta Valley 77, Burbank 64

Desert Hot Springs 69, Cathedral City 46

Downey 78, Firebuagh 38

Dunn 60, Grace 53

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Edgewood 67, Workman 34

Edison 75, Newport Harbor 70

El Dorado 69, Sonora 60

El Toro 53, Mission Viejo 48

Excelsior Charter 79, Lucerne Valley 34

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Foothill Tech 66, Cate 39

Fountain Valley 56, Huntington Beach 49

Gahr 54, Dominguez 52

Glendora 54, Claremont 33

Hacienda Heights Wilson 62, Charter Oak 52

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Harvard-Westlake 78, Crespi 53

Indian Springs 64, Pacific 32

JSerra 80, Orange Lutheran 66

Keppel 79, Schurr 50

Laguna Beach 69, Irvine University 48

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La Habra 69, Crean Lutheran 56

Lakeside 72, Heritage 53

Lakeview Leadership 69, PAL Academy 22

La Salle 63, Mary Star of the Sea 38

La Sierra 52, Jurupa Valley 51

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La Serna 49, Santa Fe 47

Long Beach Cabrillo 59, Long Beach Jordan 53

Long Beach Poly 78, Compton 50

Long Beach Wilson 65, Lakewood 52

Los Alamitos 80, Marina 60

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Maranatha 45, Heritage Christian 44

Mater Dei 95, Servite 76

Mira Costa 69, Peninsula 28

Moorpark 58, Camarillo 54

Murrieta Valley 70, Great Oak 67

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North Torrance 47, West Torrance 42

Northview 45, West Covina 37

Oaks Christian 72, Thousand Oaks 65

Ontario Christian 79, Woodcrest Christian 58

Orange 60, Estancia 59

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Oxford Academy 64, Artesia 62

Oxnard 60, Rio Mesa 50

Oxnard Pacifica 73, Dos Pueblos 70

Paloma Valley 65, Vista del Lago 42

Palos Verdes 53, Wiseburn-Da Vinci 51

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Pasadena 86, Hoover 20

Perris 52, Valley View 51

Pilibos 69, Mesrobian 35

Pioneer 79, Glenn 41

Portola 69, Irvine 44

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Ramona 87, Norte Vista 77

Rancho Christian 78, Liberty 39

Rancho Verde 76, ORange Vista 46

Rio Hondo Prep 51, Chadwick 50

Riverside King 62, Corona 53

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Riverside North 44, Moreno Valley 41

Riverside Prep 65, CIMSA 52

Rosemead 38, South El Monte 33

Rowland 41, Covina 40

Rubidoux 56, Patriot 43

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San Bernardino 94, Miller 45

San Marcos 73, Buena 35

San Marino 60, La Canada 53

Santa Ana Valley 40, Magnolia 33

Santa Barbara 64, Ventura 37

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Santa Clara 48, St. Bonaventure 45

Santa Rosa Academy 81, United Christian Academy 40

Sequoyah 51, Hillcrest Christian 47

Sierra Canyon 78, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 74

Sierra Vista 69, Garey 35

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Silver Valley 53, Hesperia Christian 46

Simi Valley 93, Del Sol 42

Southlands Christian 50, Avalon 49

South Torrance 50, Torrance 46

St. Anthony 79, St. Bernard 71

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St. Genevieve 67, Paraclete 41

St. John Bosco 74, Santa Margarita 73

St. Monica 78, St. Paul 60

Temecula Valley 79, Vista Murrieta 73

Temple City 66, Monrovia 49

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Twentynine Palms 59, Yucca Valley 33

University Prep 59, Desert Christian 45

Valencia 84, Canyon Country Canyon 58

Vasquez 97, PACS 52

Village Christian 90, Cerritos Valley Christian 34

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Warren 86, Paramount 57

Webb 75, Newport Christian 48

Western 68, Savanna 54

Westminster La Quinta 60. Rancho Alamitos 48

Woodbridge 66, St. Margaret’s 50

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Yorba Linda 49, Sunny Hills 48

INTERSECTIONAL

Buckley 64, Taft 61

Rolling Hills Prep 72, Narbonne 42

GIRLS

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CITY SECTION

Marquez 36, MSCP 31

Panorama 38, Fulton 7

South East 61, Huntington Park 36

SOUTHERN SECTION

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AAE 46, Big Bear 31

Arcadia 69, Muir 31

Arroyo 26, Pasadena Marshall 19

Ayala 41, Diamond Bar 32

Banning 66, Desert Mirage 14

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Bonita 41, Walnut 24

Brentwood 61, Crossroads 32

Buena Park 72, Santa Ana Calvary Chapel 20

Burbank Burroughs 58, Glendale 42

Camarillo 59, Moorpark 31

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Capistrano Valley Christian 49, Samueli Academy 35

Cerritos 72, Whitney 58

Chaparral 61, Murrieta Mesa 60

CIMSA 42, Riverside Prep 24

Corona Centennial 96, Norco 8

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Costa Mesa 60, Westminster 36

Crescenta Valley 77, Burbank 39

Desert Chapel 45, Joshua Springs Christian 15

Desert Christian 37, University Prep 26

Downey 53, Gahr 16

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Duarte 61, Azusa 23

Edgewood 44, Workman 25

El Dorado 48, Crean Lutheran 30

El Modena 61, Santa Ana Foothill 27

El Rancho 38, California 31

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Esperanza 47, Anaheim Canyon 34

Etiwanda 69, Villa Park 49

Fillmore 44, Santa Clara 19

Flintridge Prep 73, Pasadena Poly 37

Fullerton 51, Laguna Hills 35

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Garden Grove 47, Ocean View 23

Glendora 61, Claremont 32

Godinez 43, Placentia Valencia 23

Hacienda Heights Wilson 75, Charter Oak 20

Hemet 33, Canyon Springs 20

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Hesperia 54, Apple Valley 38

Hesperia Christian 56, Silver Valley 54

Holy Martyrs Armenian 49, AGBU 23

Indian Springs 62, Pacific 28

Irvine 45, Northwood 34

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Keppel 53, Schurr 34

La Canada 54, San Marino 22

La Puente 32, Ganesha 22

La Serna 51, Santa Fe 40

La Sierra 30, Jurupa Valley 29

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Lawndale 55, Hawthorne 9

Leuzinger 77, Compton Centennial 28

Liberty 46, Vista del Lago 27

Loara 44, Anaheim 39

Long Beach Jordan 72, Long Beach Cabrillo 5

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Lucerne Valley 42, Excelsior Charter 38

Murrieta Valley 61, Great Oak 19

Newbury Park 55, Agoura 33

Nogales 63, Baldwin Park 42

North Torrance 47, West Torrance 35

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Norwalk 49, Bellflower 40

Oak Hills 78, Burbank Burroughs 33

Oak Park 91, Royal 10

Oakwood 61, Burbank Providence 15

Ontario Christian 86, Lakewood St. Joseph 51

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Palos Verdes 55, Wiseburn-Da Vnci 50

Pasadena 53, Hoover 43

Patriot 62, Rubidoux 9

Pioneer 55, Glenn 30

Ramona 62, Norte Vista 18

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Riverside King 60, Corona 47

Riverside Poly 52, Hillcrest 51

Rowland 58, Covina 30

Sage Hill 73, Portola 45

San Bernardino 61, Miller 19

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Santa Ana Valley 45, Western 38

Santa Clarita Christian 45, Faith Baptist 37

Santa Paula 73, Carpinteria 43

Saugus 79, Golden Valley 39

Savanna 44, Westminster La Quinta 21

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Sierra Vista 60, Garey 38

St. Margaret’s 64, Laguna Beach 41

Southlands Christian 22, St. Lucy’s 19

South Torrance 49, Torrance 41

Temple City 53, Monrovia 34

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Thousand Oaks 67, Oaks Christian 32

Twentynine Palms 62, Yucca Valley 20

Valencia 82, Canyon Country Canyon 55

Village Christian 68, Cerritos Valley Christian 56

Vista Murrieta 51, Temecula Valley 48

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Warren 57, Mayfair 32

West Covina 32, Northview 25

Westlake 61, Calabasas 57

Woodbridge 50, Irvine University 16

Yorba Linda 42, Sunny Hills 32

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INTERSECTIONAL

Archbishop Mitty 80, Fairmont Prep 45

Chatsworth 49, Northridge Academy 40

Newport Beach Pacifica Christian 67, North County San Marcos 53

Rosary Academy 53, King/Drew 44

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West Ranch 82, Vaughn 11

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Indiana crushes Oregon to advance to first championship game in program history, stunning sports world

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Indiana crushes Oregon to advance to first championship game in program history, stunning sports world

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The 2025 Indiana Hoosiers became the fifth team in modern college football history to go 15-0. Now they can become the first team of the modern era to ever go 16-0, and only the second of all-time, joining an 1894 Yale team that played with leather helmets. 

With a merciless 56-22 thumping of Oregon in the Peach Bowl, the Hoosiers punched their ticket to their first national championship game appearance in program history. 

Head coach Curt Cignetti has left the college football world breathless with a dramatic turnaround of the Hoosiers program, going from one of the losingest teams in the Big 10 to potentially the most dominant single-season of all time. 

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Elijah Sarratt #13 of the Indiana Hoosiers is tackled by Ify Obidegwu #7 of the Oregon Ducks during the first quarter in the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 09, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.  (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Many prominent sports figures took to social media to express their amazement of Indiana’s unprecedented dominance during and after their win over Oregon. Indiana Gov. Mike Braun also chimed in. 

Indiana’s Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza threw five touchdown passes, improving his case to be the top pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. 

Kaelon Black ran for two touchdowns to lead the Indiana running game.

INDIANA WINS FIRST OUTRIGHT BIG 10 FOOTBALL TITLE SINCE 1945 AFTER OHIO STATE FLUBS SHORT FIELD GOAL TRY

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Fernando Mendoza #15 of the Indiana Hoosiers is tackled by Aaron Flowers #21 of the Oregon Ducks during the second quarter in the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 09, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.  (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Oregon (13-2, No. 5 CFP) was doomed by the three first-half turnovers while also being short-handed by the absence of two of their top running backs.

Indiana’s defense didn’t wait long to make an impact. On Oregon’s first snap, cornerback D’Angelo Ponds intercepted Moore’s pass intended for Malik Benson and returned the pick 25 yards for a touchdown. Only 11 seconds into the game, the Hoosiers and their defense already had made a statement this would be a long night for Moore and the Oregon offense.

Moore’s 19-yard scoring pass to tight end Jamari Johnson tied the game. The remainder of the half belonged to Indiana and its big-play defense.

After Mendoza’s 8-yard touchdown pass to Omar Cooper Jr. gave the Hoosiers the lead for good at 14-7, Indiana’s defense forced a turnover when Moore fumbled and Indiana recovered at the Oregon 3, setting up Black’s scoring run.

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Moore lost a second fumble later in the second quarter when hit by Daniel Ndukwe and Mario Landino recovered at the Oregon 21. Mendoza’s first scoring pass to Sarratt gave the Hoosiers’ the 35-7 lead.

Indiana extended its lead to 42-7 on Mendoza’s 13-yard scoring pass to E.J. Williams Jr.

Oregon finally answered. A 70-yard run by Hill set up a 2-yard scoring run by Harris.

The Hoosiers led 35-7 at halftime as the Ducks were held to nine rushing yards on 17 carries. Noah Whittington, who leads Oregon with 829 rushing yards, was held out with an undisclosed injury after Jordon Davison, who had rushed for 667 yards and 15 touchdowns, already was listed as out with a collarbone injury.

Backup running backs, including Jay Harris and Dierre Hill Jr, provided too little help for quarterback Dante Moore. Moore’s task against Indiana’s stifling defense would have been daunting even with all his weapons.

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Following their undefeated regular season, the Hoosiers have only gained momentum in the CFP. Indiana overwhelmed Alabama 38-3 in the Rose Bowl quarterfinal as Mendoza passed for 192 yards and three touchdowns.

Now, the Hoosiers will prepare to face Miami on Jan. 19 in the national championship game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. Miami beat Mississippi 31-27 in the Fiesta Bowl semifinal on Thursday night.

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Roman Hemby #1 of the Indiana Hoosiers runs out of bounds before the endzone against the Oregon Ducks during the second quarter in the 2025 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 09, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

Indiana will try to give the Big Ten its third straight national title, following Ohio State and Michigan the last two seasons. Few teams from any conference can compare with the Hoosiers’ season-long demonstration of balanced strong play.

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The country will be watching to see if this unprecedented team can finish the job and really punch their ticket into the history books. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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