NIKO MEDVED – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Here’s a Look at How U Hoopers Use Their Money

Posted on October 14, 2026October 14, 2026 by David Shama

The University of Minnesota men’s basketball team is one of five programs in the athletic department that receives revenue share money to pay its athletes. After football, the men’s hoops program receives the largest allocation and that money is supplemented by Name, Image and Likeness income.

Neither the U, nor other college athletic departments, reveal specific sums but Minnesota athletics director Mark Coyle told Sports Headliners last summer the Gophers are in a good spot with rev sharing and NIL which has players being paid for things like endorsements and personal appearances.

“I feel like we have put ourselves in a position where we can be very competitive with our peers in the Big Ten and be able to compete at the highest level,” he told Sports Headliners recently. In the new fiscal year that started July 1, the revenue share money allowed for major Division I programs like Minnesota is $21.3 million.

A solid guesstimate for coach Niko Medved’s hoops program is a combined $7 million budget from rev sharing and NIL for players. College basketball players now have six-figure compensation, and sometimes beyond.

With that backdrop, Sports Headliners interviewed a number of players recently and asked how they’re spending money. More than anything, they are saving and investing. Here are answers about their money allocations, plus additional fodder.

Bobby Durkin

There was a consensus of appreciation for the money including from Durkin, a senior forward and in his second season at Minnesota. “I just try to be smart with everything I get so I am grateful to have it,” said Durkin who works with a financial advisor. He hasn’t done anything yet with his money to treat himself.

Durkin grew up about 30 minutes from the White Sox’s stadium and has long been a fan of the Twins Central Division rival. Asked why, he said: “Oh, I don’t know. All my friends were Cub fans and me and one other buddy decided to be White Sox fans.”

His favorite movie is the 1946 classic “It’s a wonderful Life.”

Nolan Groves

“Honestly, I’ve saved almost all of it (money),” said the sophomore guard who attended Orono High School and transferred earlier this year from Texas Tech. Groves is grateful for the upswing this year in the financial market. “It’s a good time to have your money invested,” he said.

Groves loves fishing and missed the sport when he was in Texas. He once caught a 6-foot lemon shark in Florida.

“I was pretty young so I don’ remember it that much but it took about 20 minutes to reel in, I remember that. I remember my arms being tired because I was so little. It’s the biggest fish I ever caught.”

Grayson Grove

The redshirt sophomore forward also has a financial advisor. “It’s not like I’ve done anything crazy with it (the money),” he said.

If there’s an indulgence, the decision is for a “nice meal.” Café Zupas, an on campus spot featuring sales and soups, is a favorite.

Medved, starting his second season as Gopher head coach, has earned the trust of his players including Grove. “You can really tell he cares about us. He’s just a really good person to play for.”

Malick Kordel

The sophomore center transfer from Michigan, and a native of Germany, has used his money to buy a used truck. That helps accommodate his large body, listed at 7-foot- 2 and 275 pounds.

It’s been a forever practice for teams to exaggerate heights. “No, I am not lying,” said Kordel who reports he is 7-foot-2 in shoes and “about 7-1” without.

He said his wingspan is about 7-foot-6.

Isaac Asuma

The junior guard from Cherry, Minnesota has used his money “helping my family out a little bit.” He added that he is “saving a lot of it as well.”

Asuma has a new look wearing braids. His hair was getting long and he’s always wanted to have braids which take about an hour to style.

Asuma is easy going, enjoys video games, and hanging out with friends. “I am really open to anything,” he said.

Malachi Palmer

The junior guard and transfer from Villanova took a different approach with some of his money. “I bought a couple of houses trying to invest in those. So, spending my money wisely for sure.”

Palmer isn’t sure whether he will try to flip the houses or rent them. The properties are in his hometown of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Palmer’s father is in real estate, so he has a valued mentor. After Palmer’s basketball career is over, he plans to work in real estate, perhaps commercial.

Kai Shinholster

The sophomore guard from the greater Philadelphia area said his money has enabled him to help his parents with their endeavors.

His mom, Katie Shinholster, is an experienced development and fundraising executive for JEVS Human Services. The Philly nonprofit helps youth and young adults overcome socioeconomic issues through education and training.

Kai has also given money to his dad Rick’s basketball and literacy camp back home.

Kai treated himself to a car and is leasing a Tesla.

Minnesota’s exhibition opener is Thursday night against Omaha at The Barn. The Gophers’ first nonconference regular season game is November 2 at home against North Dakota.

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Vikings QB Roster: Can J.J. McCarthy Hold Off Carson Wentz?

Posted on August 16, 2026August 16, 2026 by David Shama

J.J. McCarthy lost the starting quarterback competition to Kyler Murray last week. Now it’s fair to ask whether Carson Wentz will be Murray’s replacement if he is injured during the regular season.

The Vikings first preseason depth chart has McCarthy listed No. 2, with Wentz third and Max Brosmer fourth. In yesterday’s opening preseason game, Murray and first team offensive teammates played for the first nine snaps. McCarthy took over after that and played the balance of the first quarter and all of the second.

McCarthy completed four of seven passes for 34, with no interceptions. He had moments when he looked hurried and produced no points of what would be a 13-10 preseason opening win over the Giants in New Jersey.

Wentz seemingly had the better day, looking more composed, perhaps running the huddle and game plan more effectively. Certainly, his passing was superior as he completed nine of 14 passes including a one-yard touchdown throw to Myles Price in the third quarter that put the Vikings ahead to stay at 13-10.

J.J. McCarthy, Vikings QB, image by David Shama — J.J. McCarthy

There was speculation even before today’s game that Wentz may turn out to be head coach Kevin O’Connell’s preferred choice if Murray is sidelined. McCarthy may again lack consistency in passing and judgment this fall as he works to improve on year three in the NFL including last season when he was anointed as the starter but disappointed.

O’Connell could understandably prefer the 33-year-old Wentz to the 23-year-old McCarthy. Wentz joined the team just days before the season started last year. He showed in limited play, including starts, an ability to quickly understand the offense and make decisions while demonstrating a strong arm, toughness and leadership.

In 10 starts last season McCarthy threw 11 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions, with a passer rating of 72.6. In five starts Wentz had 6 TD throws, five interceptions and 85.8 rating.

Those stats are comparable but in a pinch this fall O’Connell might prefer a seemingly less risky decision by turning to Wentz. Especially in a year where it feels like the Vikings declared they need to make the playoffs and also made a offseason priority of tuning up the run game to take pressure off superstar wide receiver Justing Jefferson. A solid run game, coupled with a steady game manager like Wentz who can feed the vertical passing game and potentially create explosive plays, appears to be the bet if Murray goes down.

Worth Noting

Jefferson, who appears to be on a path to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, didn’t play yesterday. In his entire NFL career dating back to 2020 he’s never been used in an exhibition game and that won’t be risked in the remaining two games.

The only player, BTW, on the roster longer than Jefferson is offensive tackle Brian O’Neill who was drafted in 2018.

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Drake Lindsey had some impressive long passes in the most recent Golden Gophers football practice the media was allowed to watch. Asked who might be No. 2 on the depth chart, head coach P.J. Fleck said on Thursday that Max Shikenjanski, redshirt junior from Stillwater, has excelled since August practices started.

“You know, he had a poor throw today, but it’s very rare for that to happen with indecision. .. But I thought he’s had a tremendous camp.”

Shikenjanski, who insiders believe is No. 2 on the internal depth chart, has only played briefly in two games in his Gopher career. He completed four of five passes for 80 yards and has an eight-yard touchdown run.

The Gophers will host a free admission practice starting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday night at Huntington Bank Stadium. The team’s 10 captains will sign autographs for 30 minutes after practice: Maverick Baranowski, Ashton Beers, Kerry Brown, Aidan Gousby, Greg Johnsn, Drake Lindsey, John Nestor, Anthony Smith, Jalen Smith and Darius Taylor.

The Twins, 60-64, have lost 10 of their last 16 games and look like they’re fading in the race to earn a wild card spot in the playoffs.

Baseball birthdays: Twins outfielder-infielder Luke Keaschall turned 24 yesterday, Twins World Series manager Tom Kelly 76.

Golden Gophers men’s basketball coach Niko Medved speaks to the Twin Cities Dunkers on September 9 at Interlachen Country Club. BTW the late John Anderson, the beloved former Gophers baseball coach, spoke 20 times as the featured speaker at Dunkers. The most ever for the organization that began as the Minneapolis Dunkers in 1948.

Becker high school football coaching legend Dwight Lundeen enters his 57^th and final season this year leading that program. Son Matt, head football coach at Redwood Vallely in Redwood Falls, has written a tribute to his dad in the new book Success is Temporary. Impact is Forever. 57 Years of Impact.

“This book isn’t simply about football,” Matt Lundeen said in a news release. “It’s about the kind of legacy every parent, coach, teacher, business leader, and mentor hopes to leave. My dad has spent nearly six decades proving that success is temporary, but the impact we make on others can last for generations.”

The book retails at $17.99 and is available on Amazon.

Good quote for golf hackers like me: “The toughest course is the one between our ears.”

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U AD: Golden Gophers in Good Spot in Rev Share, NIL

Posted on June 10, 2026June 10, 2026 by David Shama

When it comes to pay-for-play for University of Minnesota athletes in five sports, athletics director Mark Coyle likes where his program is.

Power Four conference schools like Minnesota had a capped revenue sharing amount of up to $20.5 million to pay athletes in the school year ending this month. The U chose to not only disburse that revenue share money (in undisclosed amounts) to football, men’s and women’s basketball, hockey and volleyball but also funded new scholarships in multiple sports including gymnastics, softball and soccer.

In the new fiscal year starting July 1, the revenue share money allowed for major Division I programs is $21.3 million. What’s new at the U this year is not only the 4 percent escalation, but also revenue share money will not be tapped for scholarships. Instead, Coyle said, fundraising is generating money for scholarships.

Athletics directors and coaches at power conference schools don’t divulge how much annually is allocated with revenue sharing and Name, Image and Likeness money to pay athletes. However, Coyle said the Gophers are in a good spot including with NIL which is separate from rev sharing and typically involves outside parties paying players for things like endorsements and personal appearances.

“I feel like we have put ourselves in a position where we can be very competitive with our peers in the Big Ten and be able to compete at the highest level,” he told Sports Headliners recently.

There are places like Michigan, Ohio State, and Texas Tech, where exorbitant amounts of money via revenue sharing and NIL reportedly pay football and men’s basketball players, but compared with all its peers in the Big Ten, Coyle is convinced the Gophers are not an “outlier” in being able to compete for player talent in those sports and others.

“…We are in a very competitive spot in terms of rev share dollars for our sports. Our coaches are not running here (to his office) sayin, ‘Oh, my gosh, I need more rev share money.’ They’re very competitive to our peers in the Big Ten. And that makes me feel good because we’re giving them a fighting chance.”

Relative to NIL, Coyle said “fans have been awesome” in helping fund that initiative that pays players for endorsements and personal appearances. Again, comparing with peers, Coyle said in NIL the Gophers are “very, very competitive too.”

Dinkytown Athletes, the official Gopher collective as an independent third party, has played a key role in generating NIL money and disbursing it to Gopher athletes. (DA is a Sports Headliners advertiser.)

The Wisconsin legislature this year approved funding to help UW Madison annually with costs for its athletic facilities. The Badgers will receive a reported $14.3 million. With this newfound money, the athletic department will have more flexibility in how it budgets dollars including for Olympic sports.

Coyle said the U hasn’t pursued similar legislation and that any initiatives would have to be in alignment with the overall plan of the University in working with the State of Minnesota Legislature.

Worth Noting

Niko Medved, Gophers hoops coach, photo by David Shama — Niko Medved

Niko Medved’s Golden Gophers basketball team began summer workouts this week with small group activities and on-court team play. The NCAA allows eight weeks of practice which will take the Gophers into July including a Fourth of July break.

Medved told Sports Headliners he anticipates an hour per day, four days a week of practice with his roster. He said the roster of players is healthy, in contrast to the past season and offseason last summer.

The Gophers were 15-18 overall last year and 8-12 in Big Ten play. Returning players are Jaylen Crocker-Johnson, Isaac Asuma, Bobby Durkin and Grayson Grove., who all started over 20 games. Kai Shinholster averaged 13 minutes a game as a reserve. Transfers are: Kyan Evans, Winters Grady, Nolan Groves, Malick Kordel and Malachi Palmer. Freshmen are: Nolen Anderson, Cedric Tomes, Chadrack Mpoyi and Blake Nixon.

Medved is pleased with his returning core and newcomers. “We’ve got more size, depth and length all the way across the board.”

With the announcement of a game November 6 against St. Thomas, Medved is looking for one more game to complete his yet to be announced nonconference schedule. He has been looking for a Power 4 opponent and has interest in a home-and-home series.

Nothing has been announced, but a guess is Minnesota is paying the Tommies a guarantee of between $80,000 and $95,000 for their game at Williams Arena.

Lynx guard Olivia Miles is the WNBA Western Conference Player of the Week for games June 1–7. The only other Lynx players to win the award are Seimone Augustus – June 5, 2006, and Napheesa Collier – August 26, 2019.

Collier is the only remaining player on the roster from 2019. She remains sidelined after ankle surgery earlier this year but upon return will form a high scoring duo with Miles who had a game-high 24 points last night in a 100-76 win by the 10-2 Lynx over the Wings from Dallas, 7-4. It was Miles’ sixth-straight game with 15+ points and 5+ assists, tying Caitlin Clark for the second-longest streak by a rookie in WNBA history.

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