The Barnes Files
PRR 2025-396 · More Than 1,500 Public Records · Request Fulfilled in Full
THE BARNES
FILES
An interactive timeline of Oregon State's Blueprint deal, told entirely through public records obtained under ORS 192.
Scroll to begin
On September 29, 2025, I submitted a public records request to Oregon State University. I asked for communications related to the university's partnership with Blueprint Sports and Entertainment, the acquisition of the Dam Nation Collective, and the departure of DNC Founder & OSU General Manager Kyle Bjornstad.
On March 6, 2026, OSU delivered Batch 5 — the final production. This public records request has now been fulfilled in full. In total, OSU produced more than 1,500 records across five batches and nearly 200 files: emails, SMS threads, internal documents, procurement records, and the executed services agreement.
I read all of them.
What follows is not editorial. These are the records, in sequence, with the context necessary to understand what they show. Every quote is sourced. Every document is from the production.
· · ·
February 21, 2025 New · Mar 6
THE DUAL-ROLE CONTRACT
While still running Dam Nation, Kyle Bjornstad drafts and sends Barnes a contract titled "PD" — proposing himself as "OSU's General Manager for Student-Athlete Benefits", reporting directly to Barnes, working directly with coaches and student-athletes, negotiating NIL agreements, and maintaining "24/7 agent negotiation support."
EMAILKyle Bjornstad → Scott Barnes · #178.1
Scott, Per our conversation(s), and ahead of our meeting next Thursday, here is my first stab at a draft for your consideration.
1. Contractor to serve as OSU's General Manager for Student-Athlete Benefits.
2. Contractor to report directly to OSU's Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics ("VP/AD")...
4. Maintain highest level of confidentiality and professionalism.
...
Provides 24/7 agent negotiation support.
Batch 5, #178.1 · View source document ↗
1. Contractor to serve as OSU's General Manager for Student-Athlete Benefits.
2. Contractor to report directly to OSU's Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics ("VP/AD")...
4. Maintain highest level of confidentiality and professionalism.
...
Provides 24/7 agent negotiation support.
Barnes's response: has it printed for his review, then forwards it to Diana Ulrey (Deputy AD/CFO) three days later. He is simultaneously OSU's new paid contractor and the founder of the NIL collective those student-athletes are enrolled in.
February 27 – March 4, 2025 New · Mar 6
IS A CONTRACTOR ALLOWED A TITLE?
Blaylock reviews Kyle's draft and sends Barnes his thoughts. He then tells Bruns:
EMAILBrent Blaylock → Jacque Bruns · #3623.1
I do agree with your question as to whether we need a PD if it is a consultant role. A scope of work agreement is probably more appropriate. Similarly, would a consultant have a title such as this if they are not an official employee?
Batch 5, #3623.1 · View source document ↗
The answer was no. They proceeded anyway — restructuring it as a Personal Services Contract for "Bjorn 2 Lead Consulting LLC." The title disappeared from the paperwork. The role did not.
March 7, 2025
THE COMPLIANCE FLAG
Kyle Bjornstad emails OSU compliance officer Diana Ulrey requesting a targeted list of student-athletes by major, writing he was trying "to help BSP" (Beaver Sports Properties). View source document ↗
March 13, 2025
THE NCAA CONCERN
Diana Ulrey emails Scott Barnes flagging the issue directly:
EMAILDiana Ulrey → Scott Barnes
The NCAA concern is that, through his duties contracting with OSU, recruit names will be shared from coaches.
Batch 3 · View source document ↗
March 21, 2025 New · Mar 6
OSU'S OWN PROCUREMENT MANAGER RAISES THE FLAG
Brian Kinsey, OSU Procurement Manager, reviews Kyle's contract and sends Bruns a written warning:
EMAILBrian Kinsey (OSU Procurement) → Jacque Bruns · #3600.1
OSU providing access, emails, office space, use of facilities for the contractor could make them an employee. We will want to steer clear of any language or action that would indicate anything other than they are a contractor.
Removed any language that fit more of an employee/employer relationship. There are some questions around access to OSU systems... Is there any consideration that they will have access to sensitive or secure areas or data where we'd want to include background checks?
Batch 5, #3600.1 · View source document ↗
Removed any language that fit more of an employee/employer relationship. There are some questions around access to OSU systems... Is there any consideration that they will have access to sensitive or secure areas or data where we'd want to include background checks?
Kinsey also flagged that exclusivity and non-solicitation clauses should be removed — and cautioned against giving Kyle OSU email access or system access. Kyle would go on to have access to Teamworks, OSU's athlete management platform. The background check question was never answered in the production.
March 25, 2025 New · Mar 6
BARNES SETS THE RATE
Bruns asks Barnes how Kyle should bill OSU. Barnes responds:
EMAILScott Barnes → Jacque Bruns, Brent Blaylock · #1536.1
I have not discussed an invoice schedule with Kyle although we did discuss a monthly rate. Perhaps we have him invoice us at $12,500 per month.
Batch 5, #1536.1 · View source document ↗
The contract cap was $150,000/year. Barnes set the number himself — the same title and role he would publicly call a "misnomer" four months later when Kyle's resignation became a story.
March 30, 2025
THE SHUTDOWN NOTICE
Kyle Bjornstad emails Scott Barnes and OSU leadership: he intends to shut down the Dam Nation Collective no later than July 1, 2025.
April 1, 2025
PERSONAL SERVICES CONTRACT
Kyle signs a Personal Services Contract with OSU. The contract does not include any title. No "General Manager." No named position. This becomes important later.
April 2, 2025
FIRST CONTACT
Three days after Kyle's shutdown notice, Brent Blaylock texts Rob Sine at Blueprint. Not Kyle. Not procurement. Not a competitive search. One text, to one company, from a man invoking a prior relationship.
SMSBrent Blaylock → Rob Sine (Blueprint)
Rob, this is Brent Blaylock (formerly of Arizona, now at Oregon State). It's been awhile since we last connected, I've been impressed watching Blueprint's growth since those early days.
We are exploring transitioning our collective to a different management and I wanted to see if that is something you guys would be interested in operating. If so, do you have some time to discuss?
Batch 4, p.19 · View source document ↗
We are exploring transitioning our collective to a different management and I wanted to see if that is something you guys would be interested in operating. If so, do you have some time to discuss?
No evidence in the production indicates OSU contacted any other vendor.
April 3, 2025
COMPLIANCE MEETS KYLE
Diana Ulrey emails Brent Blaylock: Scott Barnes wants weekly meetings with Kyle. Ulrey is also trying to understand how Kyle wants to operate, and circulates House settlement talking points.
April 15, 2025
KYLE OPTS OUT
An SMS sent to Blaylock: "Kyle let BSP know that he is opting out of the agreement to continue Dam Nation as a partner." Kyle has now informed both OSU (March 30) and Beaver Sports Properties, OSU's Learfield multimedia rights partner, that he is walking away. Blueprint has not yet submitted a proposal.
April 16, 2025
FOURTEEN DAYS
Blueprint delivers a recommendation deck to OSU. Two weeks from first text to formal pitch. No competing presentations.
April 17, 2025
THE PROPOSAL BEFORE THE QUESTIONS
One day after receiving Blueprint's deck, Blaylock forwards the proposal internally to Barnes, Elcano, and Bruns. Three versions of this email exist across the production, each with different redaction levels. Together they reveal what OSU was already planning:
EMAILBrent Blaylock → Barnes, Elcano, Bruns · #219.1
The knowledge/inventory they have through their other partnerships will be helpful for our programs as they try to identify market rates.
PRR 2025-406, #219.1 · View source document ↗
EMAILBrent Blaylock → Barnes, Elcano, Bruns · #68.1
Many of the items in Exhibit A are reasonable and doable, most we are already providing. There will be a challenge around the inclusion in the charter flights, we'll resolve that as needed.
PRR 2025-406, #68.1 · View source document ↗
Blaylock is already negotiating terms internally. No due diligence has been performed. No revenue projections have been reviewed. No business plan has been requested. The questions come later.
April 21, 2025
DUE DILIGENCE, BACKWARDS
Four days after sharing the proposal internally and outlining negotiation strategy, Blaylock sends basic financial questions to Blueprint:
EMAILBrent Blaylock → Rob Sine (Blueprint) · #134.1
Are the revenue numbers provided gross revenue or net revenue?
And with "Payment terms: Paid in full at the end of each contract year," am I assuming correctly that this is guaranteeing a total of NIL funds that will be paid on an ad hoc basis to student-athletes throughout the year totaling a minimum of $750k?
PRR 2025-406, #134.1 · View source document ↗
And with "Payment terms: Paid in full at the end of each contract year," am I assuming correctly that this is guaranteeing a total of NIL funds that will be paid on an ad hoc basis to student-athletes throughout the year totaling a minimum of $750k?
He didn't know if the numbers were gross or net. He didn't know how the payment terms worked. These are page-one questions for any contract review, and they came after Blaylock had already forwarded the proposal to leadership with negotiation notes.
April 22, 2025
HOUSE IMPLEMENTATION
Diana Ulrey emails Brent Blaylock about scheduling a meeting with Kyle to cover "the basics of the settlement" and "to ask a few questions so that I better understand how he is wanting to operate."
April 30, 2025
STILL NO BUSINESS PLAN
Two weeks after sharing the proposal internally, Blaylock emails leadership:
EMAILBrent Blaylock → Barnes, Elcano, Bruns · #73.1
I'll get back on the phone with them to have them walk me through their business plan and learn more about their projected revenue numbers. Would any of you like to join me on that call?
PRR 2025-406, #73.1 · View source document ↗
Fourteen days into internal advocacy for this partnership, Blaylock has still not seen Blueprint's business plan or revenue projections.
May 17, 2025
"DISTINCT AND SEPARATE"
Kyle's attorney requests the financial details of the OSU-Blueprint agreement. Blaylock texts Barnes:
SMSBrent Blaylock → Scott Barnes
Kyle's attorney is requesting the full details of our agreement with Blueprint, including years, guaranteed revenue, etc.
Do you have any thoughts on this?
I want to be a partner in helping facilitate this transition but not sure those are details that should/need to be shared. The OSU-Blueprint agreement is distinct and separate from the agreement between Blueprint and Dam Nation.
Do you have any thoughts on this?
I want to be a partner in helping facilitate this transition but not sure those are details that should/need to be shared. The OSU-Blueprint agreement is distinct and separate from the agreement between Blueprint and Dam Nation.
Kyle built Dam Nation. Blueprint is about to buy it and simultaneously sign a services agreement with OSU to operate it. Blaylock's position is that Kyle doesn't need to see the terms of either.
May 21, 2025
"WE AREN'T SHARING"
Blueprint tells Blaylock that Kyle wants to see the offer they made to OSU:
SMS[REDACTED] → Brent Blaylock
Kyle wants to see the offer we made to athletics to inform how much he wants from us. I'm not inclined to share and I feel like he's over stepping.
Blaylock confirms he checked with Barnes:
SMSBrent Blaylock → [REDACTED]
Following up on this, I connected with Scott and we are not in a position to share the details of our agreement with Blueprint.
Both OSU and Blueprint refused to let Kyle see the financial terms of the deal that would govern the entity he built and still ran. Kyle is negotiating the sale of his company while blind to the contract that determines its future.
June 20, 2025 New · Mar 6
BLUEPRINT GETS THE OFFICE. KYLE GETS DEMOTED.
Five days after Barnes killed the Lockerverse offer, he emails Blaylock, Bruns, and Elcano about office reconfigurations:
EMAILScott Barnes → Blaylock, Bruns, Elcano · #1683.1
We've also discussed moving Jeff Macy to Kyle's old office. Kyle should have a lower valued spot somewhere as well so please factor these in.
Batch 2, #1683.1 · View source document ↗
Blaylock's reply lays out the full plan: baseball moves, volleyball moves, then — "We can then put Blueprint in the office by the Experience Center." Elcano: "The whole plan looks good on my end."
Blueprint has no signed contract. The DNC acquisition hasn't closed. But they already have a named office on OSU's campus.
Two months later, the executed contract made it official. Section 1 of the Services Agreement requires OSU to provide Blueprint "rent-free office accommodations in the athletic department." Barnes wasn't being collegial on June 20. He was pre-delivering a contractual obligation.
Blueprint has no signed contract. The DNC acquisition hasn't closed. But they already have a named office on OSU's campus.
Two months later, the executed contract made it official. Section 1 of the Services Agreement requires OSU to provide Blueprint "rent-free office accommodations in the athletic department." Barnes wasn't being collegial on June 20. He was pre-delivering a contractual obligation.
CONTRACTBPSE-OSU Services Agreement, Section 1 · #3308.1
The University will provide such reasonable office accommodations in the athletic department rent-free for such personnel.
Batch 5, #3308.1 · View source document ↗
June 24, 2025 New · Mar 6
OSU'S OWN CONTRACT OFFICER FLAGS A CONFLICT — REDACTED
Sara Elcano returns her marked-up version of the Blueprint contract draft to Blaylock, with Barnes CC'd:
EMAILSara Elcano → Blaylock, Bruns, Barnes · #1744.1
My comments are all pretty obvious and consistent of either noting inventory we don't have or potential conflict with the MMR agreement ( ).
Batch 5, #1744.1 · View source document ↗
The MMR is OSU's existing Multimedia Rights Agreement with Learfield/Beaver Sports Properties. The specific conflict Elcano identified is fully redacted. OSU is hiding whether the Blueprint deal created a legal conflict with a contract already in force. Barnes was CC'd and the agreement proceeded.
June 13, 2025
SECOND THOUGHTS
In the days before the Lockerverse proposal, Kyle informs both Barnes and Blaylock that his interactions with Blueprint have been "both underwhelming, and unprofessional" and that he has major concerns about moving forward with them. Barnes gives Kyle 24 hours to negotiate a deal with a potential buyer.
June 14, 2025, 4:19 PM
THE OFFER THEY BURIED
Lockerverse emails Kyle a formal proposal to acquire DNC:
EMAILMarcus Rance (Lockerverse) → Kyle Bjornstad
Lockerverse is prepared to offer Oregon State a two-year guaranteed partnership valued at $288,000 per year, with the payments made to OSU within the first quarter of each contract year.
Revenue generated beyond $288,000 each year to be split 75% to Oregon State and 25% to Lockerverse.
Batch 3, p.6-8 · View source document ↗
Revenue generated beyond $288,000 each year to be split 75% to Oregon State and 25% to Lockerverse.
June 14, 2025
THE FORWARD
Kyle forwards the Lockerverse proposal to Barnes that evening. He also tells Barnes that Blueprint informed him they don't need Dam Nation to move forward with Oregon State and were willing to start a collective from scratch.
June 15, 2025, 8:45 AM
UNDER 18 HOURS
Barnes responds. One line. No follow-up questions. No request for a presentation. No consultation with procurement.
EMAILScott Barnes → Kyle Bjornstad
This doesn't come close to the deal we have. Not worth exploring at all for our perspective. We would like to move forward with Blue print with your blessing.
Batch 3, p.1-2 · View source document ↗
Lockerverse Offer
Lockerverse → $288K/yr → OSU
Plus 75% of revenue above $288K flows to OSU
Blueprint Contract (Executed)
OSU → $280K-$287.5K/yr → Blueprint
Plus Blueprint retains 75% of revenue above $750K target
The money flows in opposite directions.
BPSE-OSU Services Agreement, Page 4 (Fee Structure)
Annual Management Fee, Contract Administration Fee (1.25%), and Fundraising Bonus: BPSE retains 75% of Net Direct Revenue between $750K and $1.15M; 50% above $1.15M. Batch 1 · View full contract ↗
BPSE and OSU were negotiating a deal for months before Kyle ever agreed to sell. By the time Kyle brought Lockerverse, a better financial deal, OSU had already been drafting the Blueprint contract for six weeks. Barnes killed it in one email. The records don't show friendship. They show a done deal that needed Kyle's blessing.
READ THAT AGAIN.
June 16, 2025
BARNES CONFIRMS RECEIPT
Barnes texts Kyle confirming he received the email where Kyle claimed to feel pressured into selling DNC to Blueprint to avoid causing harm to student-athletes and DNC members. Barnes says he asked Brent Blaylock to call Kyle.
June 16, 2025
"FACILITATING A DEAL"
Blaylock texts Kyle:
SMSBrent Blaylock → Kyle Bjornstad
Ok. Scott and I are here to help with facilitating a deal getting done with Blueprint that works for you. 100% respect that it is your company and fully your decision...
Batch 4, p.14 · View source document ↗
June 17, 2025
"RADIO SILENCE"
An SMS from Blaylock references Kyle's attorney, a period of "radio silence" from Blueprint, and that Kyle and his attorney "were then contacted by another company to take over the collective."
June 17, 2025, 12:44 PM PDT Updated · Mar 6
"A LEGITIMATE THREAT"
Blaylock texts Blueprint's representatives directly:
SMSBrent Blaylock → [Blueprint representatives]
I understand this is your business as well and your negotiation. So not here to spend your money, but there's some value for all involved on this not happening. And he clearly has a legitimate threat. That being said, if Kyle gets a little bit more out of the deal with Blueprint so that he feels better about all this, then so be it. We could potentially find some workarounds in our partnership with you to help you recoup.
Batch 4, p.14 · View source document ↗
June 17, 2025, 2:10 PM PDT Updated · Mar 6
SAME DAY
Ninety minutes later:
SMSScott Barnes → Brent Blaylock
We need to think about offering Kyle $ to keep what we have. Maybe meet him half way.
Batch 4, p.14 · View source document ↗ Batch 5, p.11 · View source document ↗
June 19, 2025
"MULTIPLE ENTITIES"
SMSBrent Blaylock → [REDACTED]
...he and I have discussed the significant concerns about the negative impact to all parties involved if there are multiple entities in the market. We are open to hearing what we can provide to get both sides back in agreement.
Batch 4, p.14 · View source document ↗
72 hours. A competing offer arrives. Barnes kills it in one line. Blaylock coaches Blueprint. Discussions of paying Kyle off. Blaylock warns of consequences. The contract was subsequently approved through a sole-source procurement exception.
OSU Sole-Source Procurement Approval (CPO Memo)
OSU Standard 03-010, §5.2.1(g)(i), Item 6: Noncompetitive exception for "specific intercollegiate athletic activities." A ~$850K+ contract approved as sole-source while a competing offer sat on the AD's desk. Batch 1 · View CPO memo ↗
June 20, 2025
HOUSE IMPLEMENTATION
Internal "House implementation" agenda includes a line item: "Point for communication with Kyle."
June 25–26, 2025
THE FEE REVISION
Blueprint proposes raising the annual management fee to fund the DNC acquisition:
EMAILGerry Dickey (Blueprint) → Brent Blaylock · #49.1
1. Annual Management Fee
a. Year 1 – $280,000 (Currently $250,000 + $30,000 Increase)
b. Year 2 – $287,500 ($250,000+3% = $257,500 + $30,000 Increase)
c. Year 3 – $285,225 ($257,500+3% = $265,225 + $20,000 Increase)
Total of $80,000 guaranteed to help offset DNC purchase price. BPS to come up with another $40,000 above what we originally agreed to.
PRR 2025-406, #49.1 · View source document ↗
a. Year 1 – $280,000 (Currently $250,000 + $30,000 Increase)
b. Year 2 – $287,500 ($250,000+3% = $257,500 + $30,000 Increase)
c. Year 3 – $285,225 ($257,500+3% = $265,225 + $20,000 Increase)
Total of $80,000 guaranteed to help offset DNC purchase price. BPS to come up with another $40,000 above what we originally agreed to.
Blaylock forwards it to Barnes:
EMAILBrent Blaylock → Barnes, Bruns · #49.1
Below is the proposed modification to the institutional agreement with Blueprint to accommodate the recent change to the package needed for them to purchase DNC. The revenue portion to us would not change, they are only modifying the management fee.
PRR 2025-406, #49.1 · View source document ↗
The next morning, Barnes responds:
EMAILScott Barnes → Blaylock, Bruns · #49.1
This is reasonable given the circumstances.
PRR 2025-406, #49.1 · View source document ↗
Blueprint raised their fees after Kyle started getting cold feet, specifically to fund the DNC purchase. The additional $80K over three years flows from OSU to Blueprint. Barnes approved in one line. Blaylock confirmed to Blueprint the next day: "We are comfortable with the proposed change to the annual management fee."
July 15, 2025
THE ACQUISITION
Dam Nation Collective is sold to Blueprint. An SMS from that day:
SMS[REDACTED] → Brent Blaylock
All, Confidential... Just an FYI that the Dam Nation acquisition was finalized today. As we've discussed, please make sure to include me in the announcement/press release planning.
Batch 4, p.10 · View source document ↗
July 16, 2025
SHORT CALLS WITH BLUEPRINT
SMS records show coordination of "5-7 minute" calls with Blueprint and scheduling adjustments around them.
July 17, 2025
AUTHORITY LIMBO
Two days after the acquisition:
SMS[REDACTED] → Brent Blaylock
I'm technically not allowed to answer on behalf of DNC anymore... So I'm hoping there isn't a huge lag in timing.
Batch 4, p.8 · View source document ↗
A separate SMS, now verified as Barnes:
SMSScott Barnes → Brent Blaylock
Where are we with the blueprint agreement. We are ready to Announce.
July 22, 2025
FACILITIES AND RATES
Brent Blaylock emails about facility use, treating Blueprint/Dam Nation as "associated" with OSU and discussing standard facility rates for NIL campaign use.
August 15, 2025
FULLY EXECUTED
Blaylock emails Barnes and leadership:
EMAILBrent Blaylock → Barnes, Bruns, Elcano · #70.1
The Blueprint agreement is now fully executed. Sara – we are ready to announce whenever it works best for you. And are we sending something internally prior to the external announcement?
PRR 2025-406, #70.1 · View source document ↗
August 19, 2025 New · Mar 6
BARNES PERSONALLY SELECTS DAM NATION'S NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Blueprint CEO Gerry Dickey emails Blaylock with two candidates for the Executive Director of Dam Nation. Blaylock forwards to Barnes. Barnes replies:
EMAILScott Barnes → Brent Blaylock · #2479.1
Ian seems to be the preferred candidate. No sense in bringing [the other candidate] to campus if he isn't the guy. If Gerry is sure he wants the job let's close the deal.
Batch 5, #2479.1 · View source document ↗
Dam Nation is a private NIL collective. Oregon State's Athletic Director is personally approving its new hire. The agreement hadn't been publicly announced yet. Kyle was still listed as General Manager. This is the day before the joint press release.
August 20, 2025
THE PRESS RELEASE
OSU, Blueprint, and Kyle issue a joint press release announcing the Blueprint partnership. Kyle is named General Manager. Barnes expressed excitement about retaining him. Remember this for later.
August 20, 2025
THE FOIA
The same day as the press release, Sportico reporter Daniel Libit files a public records request for the Blueprint-OSU agreement. OSU notifies Blueprint on September 12.
September 15, 2025
"DO YOU FORESEE ANY ISSUES?"
Rob Sine emails Blaylock about the records request:
EMAILRob Sine (Blueprint) → Brent Blaylock · #120.1
Do you foresee any issues with this?
PRR 2025-406, #120.1 · View source document ↗
Blaylock reassures him:
EMAILBrent Blaylock → Rob Sine · #120.1
There shouldn't be any issues. It certainly isn't optimal, but part of being a public university... Typically these requests are done so that they can aggregate information for larger stories and not get attention as a stand alone piece. We'll monitor and stay connected should something more than that come from it.
PRR 2025-406, #120.1 · View source document ↗
September 30, 2025
SPORTICO PUBLISHES
Sportico publishes the financial terms of the BPSE-OSU contract. The public sees the numbers for the first time.
October 1, 2025
THE PRESSURE CALL
The next day, Barnes calls Kyle. Here is what Kyle documented:
EMAILKyle Bjornstad → Scott Barnes · Oct 19
...on that phone call, with other OSU employees present, including Brent, you presented the idea that I tell the media that nobody asked/pressured me to sell DNC, and nobody asked/pressured me to sell it to BPSE.
...after our conversation on October 1, 2025, I knew that I could not continue to serve as General Manager while maintaining my integrity.
Batch 3, p.3-4 · View source document ↗
...after our conversation on October 1, 2025, I knew that I could not continue to serve as General Manager while maintaining my integrity.
September 30, 2025, 6:11 PM PDT New · Mar 6
THE NIGHT THE STORY DROPPED
The Sportico story went live September 30. Within hours, Barnes is texting:
SMSScott Barnes → [REDACTED] · PRR 2025-396 Scott Barnes Text Msgs
Hearing that we are getting hit for Blueprint agreement that is now out there via foia. What are you seeing. Is there misinformation we should combat or?
Batch 5 · Scott Barnes Text Msgs · View source document ↗
The contact IDs in Barnes's text records are redacted under ORS 192.355(2). OSU is shielding who Barnes was texting in the middle of the night about the FOIA story.
October 1, 2025, 12:06 PM PDT Updated · Mar 6
DAMAGE CONTROL
The next morning, Barnes is still working the phones:
SMSScott Barnes → Brent Blaylock
Hearing that we are getting hit for Blueprint agreement that is now out there via foia. What are you seeing. Is there misinformation we should combat or?
Blaylock responds:
SMSBrent Blaylock → Scott Barnes
The terms of the agreement are being misconstrued to make it seem that Blueprint receives more 50% of the funds being provided for student-athletes.
Later that evening, Barnes texts again:
SMSScott Barnes → [REDACTED]
Thanks for the heads up on blueprint. We just met on strategy to attack the mis information out there. Sounds like we need to get to Orem as well. Daschel is someone we trust to put the correct information out there.
"Orem" is Bill Oram, The Oregonian reporter who published the first detailed breakdown of the deal on October 2. "Daschel" is Nick Daschel, The Oregonian sports editor and former Oregon State beat reporter. Barnes's immediate reaction to public scrutiny was not accountability. It was media strategy.
October 2, 2025
"NO OPTION OTHER THAN BLUEPRINT"
Brent Blaylock appears on the Dam Podcast:
PUBLICBrent Blaylock → Dam Podcast
"Once he [Kyle] sold Dam Nation to Blueprint, there was no option other than Blueprint."
Batch 3 · View source document ↗
October 2, 2025
KYLE RESIGNS
Kyle Bjornstad submits his resignation from Oregon State.
October 3, 2025
"MULTIPLE ENTITIES"
Brent Blaylock tells BeaversEdge:
PUBLICBrent Blaylock → BeaversEdge
"When [Kyle] decided to evaluate the options of transitioning ownership for that, I believe he talked to multiple entities on that. That was my impression at the time, that he had at least a couple he was reviewing."
Batch 3 · View source document ↗
The records show Blaylock himself initiated the only vendor contact. Kyle found Lockerverse independently.
October 3, 2025, 12:59 PM PDT New · Mar 6
"CIRCLE THE WAGONS"
The day after Kyle resigns. Barnes texts someone — contact ID redacted — apparently connected to the Blueprint/Dam Nation side:
SMSScott Barnes → [REDACTED] · PRR 2025-396 Scott Barnes Text Msgs
Hearing that your guys are telling folks Kyle resigned. Needed to keep that quiet. Please circle the wagons.
Batch 5 · Scott Barnes Text Msgs · p.2 ↗
"Your guys" — Barnes is texting someone whose employees or associates were leaking Kyle's resignation. Twenty-nine minutes later (1:28 PM PDT):
SMSScott Barnes → [REDACTED] · PRR 2025-396 Scott Barnes Text Msgs
Kyle spoke to Canzano so I had to confirm. It is now out there.
Batch 5 · Scott Barnes Text Msgs · p.2 ↗
This is the same John Canzano who filed his own public records request three weeks later specifically requesting Barnes and Blaylock's email correspondence from March–June 2025. OSU withheld 43 records from this period under HB 3694 and ORS 40.225 (attorney-client). Barnes confirmed Canzano's story before OSU had issued a single official statement about Kyle's departure.
October 3, 2025
"A LOT OF SMOKE"
An SMS to Blaylock:
SMS[REDACTED] → Brent Blaylock
There's a lot of smoke out there with your connections w people at Blueprint. Understandably, this is the industry. People know each other. Is there anything you can or want to say to quiet that stuff?
Blaylock responds by distancing himself from the connection, saying his overlap with Blueprint at Arizona was minimal. Bill Oram publishes a follow-up article the same day with Blueprint CEO defending the deal.
October 7, 2025
"GET RID OF BLUEPRINT"
SMS[REDACTED] → Brent Blaylock
How fast can you get rid of Blueprint on background.
Six days after the Sportico story. Five days after Kyle's resignation. Someone in Blaylock's orbit is already asking about an exit strategy.
October 13, 2025
THE PUBLIC NARRATIVE
Barnes tells The Oregonian:
PUBLICScott Barnes → The Oregonian
"...we have an outside entity that's taking control of the Dam Nation Collective that would have been left for dead."
Batch 3 · View source document ↗
A $288,000/year guaranteed offer was sitting on his desk. He dismissed it in one line.
PUBLICScott Barnes → The Oregonian
"I think the General Manager position is a misnomer."
Batch 3 · View source document ↗
The August 20 press release, which Barnes approved, named Kyle as General Manager.
October 14, 2025
REPEATS ON DAM PODCAST
Barnes repeats the "misnomer" claim on the Dam Podcast with Angie Machado.
October 15, 2025 New · Mar 6
BLUEPRINT'S NEW HIRE GETS DIRECT ACCESS TO STUDENT-ATHLETES
Two weeks after Kyle's resignation, while OSU is actively processing the public records request that started this timeline, Blaylock sets up Robbie Long — Blueprint's newly installed Dam Nation representative — with a Teamworks account to message student-athletes directly.
EMAILBrent Blaylock → Teamworks, Compliance · #455.1
Robbie Long (robbie@damnationnil.com) is set up for access to the Teamworks athlete communication platform. OSU's Director of Compliance, Emlyn Goodman, is copied. Goodman notes there should be a compliance meeting first.
Batch 5, #455.1 · View source document ↗
Kyle resigned October 2. His replacement — handpicked by Barnes from a list supplied by Blueprint's CEO — was given direct access to OSU's student-athlete messaging system thirteen days later. The PRR had been filed sixteen days earlier.
October 19, 2025
KYLE'S REBUTTAL
Kyle sends the "Public Comments" email to Barnes. It includes this:
EMAILKyle Bjornstad → Scott Barnes
I have been told, after the fact, that there was at least one other entity that discussed/pitched the idea of acquiring DNC with OSU officials, and that entity was never presented to me. Another major issue.
Batch 3, p.2 · View source document ↗
I have independently confirmed this. At least one other entity, a well-known name in the college sports infrastructure space, made a pitch to OSU leadership before the deal closed. An OSU official present had hoped it would be stronger so the university would have a viable alternative to Blueprint. It wasn't. Kyle was never told. The sole-source procurement was approved anyway.
EMAILKyle Bjornstad → Scott Barnes
It is clear that you and Brent are attempting to make me the scapegoat for the deal with BPSE, a deal that you wanted all along, and negotiated prior, during, and after the close of the DNC acquisition. I even negotiated a better deal with Lockerverse on your behalf, and presented the offer to you. Even so, you would not even explore a potential deal with Lockerverse.
Batch 3, p.4 · View source document ↗
October 22, 2025, 7:13 AM
THE PRIVILEGE PROBLEM
EMAILScott Barnes → Brent Blaylock
Subject: Fwd: Public Comments Privileged and confidential
This was sent to me by Kyle. I read it for the first time on Monday. Let's discuss.
Batch 3, p.1 · View source document ↗
This was sent to me by Kyle. I read it for the first time on Monday. Let's discuss.
The production shows a large redaction block after Barnes received Kyle's email, consistent with a forward to legal counsel (legitimately privileged). But then Barnes forwarded it again to Blaylock alone, without counsel on the thread. That communication is not privileged. It is an internal administrative communication subject to public records disclosure. Barnes stripped the privilege while keeping the label.
Updated · March 6, 2026
Batch 5 records received and incorporated. 11 new entries added including Scott Barnes's text messages (Oct 1–3), the Kyle Bjornstad dual-role contract trail, OSU's selection of Blueprint's ED candidate, and the rent-free office clause. This timeline will continue to be updated as applicable.
WHAT THE RECORDS SHOW.
The records show that Blaylock initiated contact with Blueprint based on a prior personal relationship, three days after Kyle announced DNC's shutdown. No other vendors were contacted.
The records show that when a financially superior competing offer arrived, one that would have paid OSU $288,000 per year instead of costing OSU $280,000+ per year, Barnes rejected it in under 18 hours without exploration.
The records show that Blaylock then texted Blueprint to call the competing offer a "legitimate threat" and offered to find "workarounds" in the OSU-Blueprint partnership to help Blueprint "recoup."
The records show that OSU began internal advocacy for Blueprint before performing basic due diligence. Blaylock shared the proposal and outlined negotiation strategy on April 17. He didn't ask whether Blueprint's revenue numbers were gross or net until April 21. He still hadn't seen their business plan by April 30.
The records show that both OSU and Blueprint refused to let Kyle see the financial terms of the agreement that would govern the entity he built, calling the two agreements "distinct and separate."
The records show that Blueprint raised the annual management fee by $80,000 over three years after Kyle began exploring alternatives, specifically to fund the DNC acquisition. Barnes approved in one line.
The records show that the contract was approved through a sole-source procurement exception.
The records show that when the contract terms became public, Barnes's immediate response was media strategy, texting about getting to "Orem" (Bill Oram, The Oregonian) and that "Daschel is someone we trust to put the correct information out there."
The records show that when the contract terms became public, Barnes called Kyle and, with other employees present, suggested Kyle tell media that no one pressured him. Kyle resigned the next day.
The records show that at least one other entity pitched OSU about acquiring DNC. Kyle was never informed.
The records show that Barnes forwarded Kyle's rebuttal email to Blaylock under a "Privileged and confidential" label that did not apply to the communication.
The records show that while Kyle was still running Dam Nation, Barnes received Kyle's draft contract making him "OSU's General Manager for Student-Athlete Benefits" — had it printed, reviewed it, and forwarded it to OSU's CFO for processing. OSU's own procurement manager warned that giving Kyle office space, system access, and a title could make him a de facto employee. The contract proceeded.
The records show that Barnes personally selected Dam Nation's new Executive Director from a list of candidates supplied by Blueprint's CEO — one day before the joint press release announcing the partnership was made public.
The records show that at 1:11 AM on October 1, 2025 — the night the Sportico story circulated — Barnes was texting an unknown contact, asking what they were "seeing" and whether there was "misinformation we should combat." OSU has redacted who Barnes was texting under ORS 192.355(2).
The records show that on October 3, 2025 — the day after Kyle's resignation — Barnes texted an unknown contact: "Hearing that your guys are telling folks Kyle resigned. Needed to keep that quiet. Please circle the wagons." Twenty-nine minutes later: "Kyle spoke to Canzano so I had to confirm. It is now out there."
The records show that fifteen days after Kyle resigned and sixteen days after this public records request was filed, Blaylock set Blueprint's newly installed Dam Nation representative up with direct access to OSU's student-athlete messaging platform — Teamworks — with a compliance note that a meeting should happen first.
BPSE and OSU were negotiating a deal for months before Kyle ever agreed to sell. By the time Kyle brought Lockerverse, a better financial deal, OSU had already been drafting the Blueprint contract for six weeks. Barnes killed it in one email. The records don't show friendship. They show a done deal that needed Kyle's blessing.
The records show that OSU withheld 43 records from Batch 5 alone under HB 3694 — Oregon's NIL legislation — covering the March through July 2025 window. That is the exact period when Barnes was setting Kyle's pay rate, killing the Lockerverse offer, approving Blueprint's fee increase, and assigning them office space. The 43 records that explain the most are the 43 OSU chose not to release.
Every quote above comes from documents obtained under Oregon's public records law, ORS 192.
PRR 2025-396 · MORE THAN 1,500 RECORDS · 5 BATCHES · FULFILLED IN FULL · READ THEM YOURSELF
Sources: All documents obtained through Oregon Public Records Requests PRR 2025-396 submitted September 29, 2025, and PRR 2025-406, obtained February 26, 2026. Records produced by Oregon State University across five batches plus third-party production. The BPSE-OSU Services Agreement, sole-source procurement approval, and all correspondence quoted above are part of the production. Public statements sourced from The Oregonian (Oct 2 & Oct 13, 2025), Dam Podcast (Oct 2, 2025), and BeaversEdge (Oct 3, 2025). Third buyer independently confirmed through sources with direct knowledge. No confidential sources identified.
Timeline updated February 27, 2026 with 12 new entries and 1 updated entry from Batch 4 SMS records and PRR 2025-406 (third-party) production.
All SMS timestamps converted from UTC to PDT (UTC−7) as stored in OSU's production.
Timeline updated March 6, 2026 with 11 new entries and 3 updated entries from Batch 5 records (PRR 2025-396): Scott Barnes text messages, Kyle Bjornstad dual-role contract, OSU procurement compliance flags, Barnes ED selection, and Robbie Long Teamworks access. New entries are marked inline.
Timeline updated February 27, 2026 with 12 new entries and 1 updated entry from Batch 4 SMS records and PRR 2025-406 (third-party) production.
All SMS timestamps converted from UTC to PDT (UTC−7) as stored in OSU's production.
Timeline updated March 6, 2026 with 11 new entries and 3 updated entries from Batch 5 records (PRR 2025-396): Scott Barnes text messages, Kyle Bjornstad dual-role contract, OSU procurement compliance flags, Barnes ED selection, and Robbie Long Teamworks access. New entries are marked inline.
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