Matt Baker

Staff Writer, College

Matt Baker is a senior writer for The Athletic covering college sports. He previously spent nine years as the Tampa Bay Times’ Florida college football reporter and also covered college athletics at the Tulsa World and Springfield (Mo.) News-Leader. Matt’s an Indiana native and graduate of Northwestern University.

Utah finalizes college sports' first single-school private equity deal, sets up new commercial entity

AD Mark Harlan said he was “very comfortable” with the governance structure and steps the Utes have taken to protect themselves financially.

Matt Baker and Christopher Kamrani Comments count 94

University of Florida to undergo most expensive stadium project in college football history

Matt Baker Comments count 178

Why Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby’s win in court could erase once uncrossable red line

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NC State-Virginia season opener moved from Brazil to Charlottesville

Matt Baker Comments count 116

Can Congress stop SEC, Big Ten expansion? What we know about a proposed bill and realignment

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Larger college football playoffs already exist. So what can FBS learn from FCS and beyond?

We talked to coaches who have been in the FCS, D-II and D-III playoffs about what to expect from a bigger college football bracket.

Matt Baker and Seth Emerson Comments count 143

Ole Miss faces NCAA tampering probe, separate CSC NIL investigation into transfers

The Rebels are under scrutiny from the NCAA and CSC over two separate incidents involving two transfers this offseason.

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Pac-12, Mountain West reach settlement to end legal battle over realignment poaching fees

A hearing about discovery in the case had been scheduled for Tuesday in the U.S. District Court’s Northern District of California.

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What we heard at ACC meetings: Tiebreakers, the Amazon-Duke deal and Notre Dame

Anti-expansion arguments didn’t seem to land with ACC coaches or administrators, including commissioner Jim Phillips.

Matt Baker and Pete Sampson Comments count 217

ACC leaders throw support behind 24-team College Football Playoff model at spring meetings

Last summer, the ACC was not thrilled about an expansion proposal that would have guaranteed more spots to the Big Ten and the SEC.

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How mixed-use stadium districts — for work, play and football — became college sports' latest craze

As schools look under every rock for money in the revenue-sharing era, trying to generate money from the area around the stadium is a trend.

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Arbitrator upholds ruling denying NIL deals worth $7.5 million to 18 Nebraska football players

Nebraska case is the first major test of an NIL enforcement process via the College Sports Commission.

Stewart Mandel, Mitch Sherman and more Comments count 162

Brendan Sorsby under investigation by Ohio state gambling regulators

Sorsby was already under investigation by the NCAA for allegedly gambling on Indiana football games in 2022.

Matt Moret and Matt Baker Comments count 144

Fired for cause, or for losing? Why more schools are betting they can fire coaches for free

Many recent for cause firings had serious off-field incidents. But decisions and lawsuits can hinge on many things.

Matt Baker and Austin Meek Comments count 124

As Dick Vitale fights cancer for fifth time, those he's supported show up for him at annual gala

Although Vitale has beaten cancer four times already, the 86-year-old has been open about the challenge of going five-for-five.

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Olivier Rioux, 7-foot-9 center, announces transfer to UC Irvine

Rioux will join an Anteaters team that went 23-12 last season and won the Big West’s regular-season title.

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Big 12 reaches private capital deal to add at least $12.5M to conference, optional $30M per school

The deal does not include any ownership or governance stake in the Big 12.

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Pittsburgh Steelers trade up, select Alabama WR Germie Bernard with 47th pick in 2026 NFL Draft

Bernard started his college career at Michigan State before flourishing under coach Kalen DeBoer at Washington and Alabama.

Matt Baker and Mike DeFabo Comments count 20

Vikings bet big on Florida DT Caleb Banks with 18th pick in 2026 NFL Draft

Banks' production was limited over five years at Louisville and Florida, with an injury disrupting what was hoped to be a big senior season.

Matt Baker and Alec Lewis Comments count 164

Kansas City Chiefs trade up, pick LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane at No. 6 in 2026 NFL Draft

Delane shined early in his college career at Virginia Tech and became an All-American at LSU, a school known for accomplished DB play.

Matt Baker and Jesse Newell Comments count 16

Top NFL Draft prospect Rueben Bain Jr. involved in 2024 crash that resulted in passenger's death

Rueben Bain Jr. is considered one of the top prospects in this year’s NFL Draft.

Saad Yousuf, Matt Baker and more Comments count 212

Elite Eight breakdown: What makes each men’s NCAA Tournament matchup so exciting

Half of the Elite Eight has never won a national title. Then there's Duke and UConn.

Matt Baker and Stewart Mandel Comments count 55

Jon Scheyer chokes up reflecting on Caleb Foster's Duke return 3 weeks after breaking foot

Foster scored 11 points in 18 minutes against St. John's and sparked Duke's second-half comeback.

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Trinidad Chambliss set to remain Ole Miss QB after NCAA petition denied

The ruling again clears the way for Chambliss to return to college football as one of the sport’s most exciting quarterbacks.

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A Will Wade-LSU reunion was 'in the works' for months, and everyone but NC State saw it coming

Wade is once again on the move and stealing the spotlight away from March Madness, but this time around, not everybody is having fun.

Brendan Marks, Ralph D. Russo and more Comments count 234