In a surprising turn, Oregon State University is preparing to dismiss its executive deputy athletic director and Chief Operating Officer, Brent Blaylock, while also cutting ties with its NIL partner, Blueprint Sports.
This news, first reported by John Canzano in his Bald Faced Truth column, is just the latest shake-up for Beaver Nation. The community’s already been riding out a storm of changes—new coaches, new teams, even a new conference.
The formal announcement is expected soon, which should finally offer some clarity about why the university is making these moves.
Brent Blaylock’s Tenure at Oregon State
Blaylock came to Oregon State in May 2024 after a run at the University of Arizona. There, he held roles like Associate Athletic Director for Compliance and Senior Associate Athletic Director for Administration and Institutional Control.
He helped Arizona navigate the usual financial, personnel, and operational messes that come with college athletics. He also played a big part in developing Arizona’s EDGE program—their in-house NIL collective.
Contributions to Oregon State
At Oregon State, Blaylock reported directly to athletic director Scott Barnes. He was mostly known for handling the school’s Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) compliance efforts.
Back in August, he helped orchestrate the university’s sale of its NIL collective, Dam Nation, to Blueprint Sports. This move raised some eyebrows, especially after Sportico reporter Daniel Libit leaked the university’s official NIL consulting agreement on social media.
The NIL Partnership with Blueprint Sports
Teaming up with Blueprint Sports was pitched as a smart way to boost Oregon State’s NIL game. As part of the deal, Dam Nation’s founder, Kyle Bjornstad, became a General Manager in the athletics department.
But it didn’t last—Bjornstad resigned in early October, which only added to the ongoing drama around the partnership.
Fan and Media Scrutiny
The Blueprint Sports deal drew immediate scrutiny. Fans and media started questioning the agreement’s terms and transparency, especially after that consulting agreement leak.
It’s hard not to think all that noise influenced the university’s decision to move on from Blueprint Sports.
What Lies Ahead for Oregon State?
With Blaylock out and the Blueprint Sports partnership over, Oregon State is standing at a bit of a crossroads. There’s a lot to figure out, and it’s not exactly clear how things will shake out for the student-athletes.
Future Leadership and Strategy
The university now has to find new leadership for its athletic department and NIL initiatives. Whoever steps in will have their hands full—compliance, direction, and just keeping things steady for the athletes.
Maintaining Fan Support
Keeping fans on board is going to be a challenge. People want transparency, or at least a sense that someone’s got a plan, and that’s probably more important now than ever.
Conclusion
Oregon State University has dismissed Brent Blaylock and ended its partnership with Blueprint Sports. That’s a pretty big move for the school.
They’re getting ready to announce these changes soon. It’ll be interesting to see how they handle things from here—leadership and clear communication are going to matter a lot.
If you’re curious, you can check out the full story on Sports Illustrated.
- Schools Covered
- College Football Articles
- Men's College Basketball Articles
- Men's College Soccer Articles
- Women's College Basketball Articles
- Olympic Athlete Articles
- Men's College Baseball Articles
- College Sports Media Professionals Articles
- Hall of Fame Member Articles
- Former College Player Articles
- Game Previews
