NCAA Portal Talk

[bamadwain]

That stinks. Hope he's okay

I as well, I believe if the young man is okay from a personal standpoint I believe he'll be a heck of back someday

 

[JDCrimson]

Most of them dont (or wont) have one. There are going to be some sad stories that come out with this.

I would caution all of you to just assume that Saban and Alabama will dominate in this new era. We are bit behind because of the state law that we passed last year and the conference restrictions that were imposed last year. Texas has neither restrictions its just blue sky over there. There is an effort to repeal our state law and go back to the drawing board.

Alabama isnt as well-endowed in this era as you would expect. Its going to take some creative thinking to leverage the Bama brand.

Alot of schools will go bankrupt in this era. Mark it down.

I would love to be a fly on the wall when these kids' tax advisor tells them the amount of their first estimated tax payment.

"Welcome to the adult table son, this seat comes with a bill."

 

[tideindc]

Its always baffling how other teams seem to out punt us every game or have a great punter. We should have an all world punter every year..but its continually one position where we seem very average

I WISH our punting was very average.

 

[Ole Man Dan]

I had quite a few discussions here about this very sort of thing before NIL went effect. I'm not sure everyone really grasped how far this can and will go. It is somewhat fortunate that the Texas team is a mess right now, I suspect that will keep some of them from investing too much into bailing out what they see as a failing coach. Meanwhile Texas A&M has the #1 recruiting class according to some services for no particular reason at all...

It really is Pandora's Box and if the schools with the deepest pockets decide it's time to go all in things will become even more insane.

Edit: I would add that the way it was put into place, it doesn't really seem possible to regulate. Anyone, anywhere, can just cut them a check and say it's for their name and likeness and that's all it takes. I'm not sure how you could put that genie back in the bottle, you'd have to basically have a clearing house for those types of deals and it seems unlikely most parties are going to be willing to allow that. People are getting paid, and people are paying for influence, they won't give that up easily.

The NIL has made players like some politicians. Someone will be Paying for influence...

 

[The Ols]

Most of them dont (or wont) have one. There are going to be some sad stories that come out with this.

I would caution all of you to just assume that Saban and Alabama will dominate in this new era. We are bit behind because of the state law that we passed last year and the conference restrictions that were imposed last year. Texas has neither restrictions its just blue sky over there. There is an effort to repeal our state law and go back to the drawing board.

Alabama isnt as well-endowed in this era as you would expect. Its going to take some creative thinking to leverage the Bama brand.

Alot of schools will go bankrupt in this era. Mark it down.

The school's aren't paying the players...what's going to bankrupt them?

 

[allybama2009]

There are two classes - prospects and transfers, going and coming. When you see a player entering the portal and either going on or reversing and staying, nowadays, the first question to ask yourself is what the NIL "inducements" amounted to. To me, it's a sad world. The very same things which got SMU the death penalty are now perfectly legal...

It is amazing to see what players do because the NIL deal was better to stay and remove himself from the portal. This has taken place here at Bama with a player or 2. Schools like Bama will take advantage of this and get kids to stay and kids from other schools to come here. It is what it is. RTR

 

[TIDE-HSV]

The school's aren't paying the players...what's going to bankrupt them?

Overhead...

 

[KrAzY3]

The school's aren't paying the players...what's going to bankrupt them?

Another thing I discussed before NIL went into effect was the diversion of funds.

Remember the NIL deals that we're discussing are not any sort of free market value for the player's services. One deal for example was like $25,000 each for interviews with a couple Texas A&M players no one heard of. That's not free market value, that's just a way to use booster money to support the program.

The problem is the athletic departments are accustomed to getting some of those funds to pay the bills. The athletic department is expensive to run and contrary to popular belief, they aren't getting rich, they are reinvesting in the department. If there are a substantial number of boosters that stop writing checks to the school and instead are writing them directly to players, this will create ripple effects.

The most obvious thing is that some sports might to be dropped.

 

[RollTide_HTTR]

Another thing I discussed before NIL went into effect was the diversion of funds.

Remember the NIL deals that we're discussing are not any sort of free market value for the player's services. One deal for example was like $25,000 each for interviews with a couple Texas A&M players no one heard of. That's not free market value, that's just a way to use booster money to support the program.

Maybe I'm missing something but how isn't that a free market?

 

[AlexanderFan]

Maybe I'm missing something but how isn't that a free market?

Because nobody else can bid on the players, this is money simply used as an enticement to stay, and the price isn’t determined by outside factors.

 

[TriCountyTider]

It may be simpler. We may be paying him more...

Don't want to stoke flames of the rumor mill, but I have heard from some Georgia people that he was not only unhappy with his role, but he doesn't like Stetson Bennet and he didn't see eye to eye with Monken.

 

[AlexanderFan]

Don't want to stoke flames of the rumor mill, but I have heard from some Georgia people that he was not only unhappy with his role, but he doesn't like Stetson Bennet and he didn't see eye to eye with Monken.

This jives with the fact our slot possession guy had more touches and he was the big Dawg so to speak.

 

[TriCountyTider]

That's the only reason I posted it. I don't know how much of it is true, but it makes sense.

 

[RollTide_HTTR]

Because nobody else can bid on the players, this is money simply used as an enticement to stay, and the price isn’t determined by outside factors.

Ah I somehow misread it and didn't realize that they were already on the team.

 

[RollTide_HTTR]

The problem is the athletic departments are accustomed to getting some of those funds to pay the bills. The athletic department is expensive to run and contrary to popular belief, they aren't getting rich, they are reinvesting in the department. If there are a substantial number of boosters that stop writing checks to the school and instead are writing them directly to players, this will create ripple effects.

The most obvious thing is that some sports might to be dropped.

I've been thinking about this more and I guess the question is where is the money really coming from. I'm not intimately familiar with how schools and athletic programs are run.

Is it money that would be donated and used on other sports or is it money that would be donated to help improve the kinda ridiculously gaudy facilities that are now popular in college sports. Or both?

If its simply taking money away from having gaming rooms and such then I don't think its a huge deal.

 

[KrAzY3]

Maybe I'm missing something but how isn't that a free market?

The entire system is based on boosters supporting an amateur sport. They were not paying amounts commensurate with the worth of the athletes but rather with their affection for the program. A lot of people had the notion that NIL would mean they'd get legit sponsorship deals and that would be it. Instead it's becoming a way for boosters to entice players. It's also basically part of the corrupt under the table system that already existed.. In theory it isn't really that different than paying a politician to do what you want. It's basically bribery in some cases. You do what the boosters want, you get their money.

I've been thinking about this more and I guess the question is where is the money really coming from. I'm not intimately familiar with how schools and athletic programs are run.

Is it money that would be donated and used on other sports or is it money that would be donated to help improve the kinda ridiculously gaudy facilities that are now popular in college sports. Or both?

If its simply taking money away from having gaming rooms and such then I don't think its a huge deal.

Well I'm guessing you are familiar with the Crimson Standard and the goal to raise 600 million. Well, that's booster funds basically. Now you can question the merit of such things, but it most assuredly isn't just game rooms. Due to Title IX and just the way things are run funds get distributed throughout the athletic department. So we're talking about gymnastics, softball, golf, tennis, etc... Even if the funds do not come directly from boosters, if X money is allocated to the football program than the remaining funds can get allocated elsewhere. The mention of overhead is relevant because we're also just talking operating costs. It isn't merely building a facility, it might be servicing debt, or just paying salary. A major shortfall would create huge ripple effects.

I lot of people don't realize how much of an athletic department's income can actually be from boosters. The latest report seems to be behind a paywall now but I'll just paste this here so people can get an idea of what we're talking about:

"

1	Oregon	Pac‑12	$391,769,609	$120,884,588	$396,550*	0.10%
2	Ohio State	Big Ten	$233,871,740	$215,209,566	$36,268*	0.02%
3	Texas	Big 12	$200,772,813	$173,648,028	$0*	0.00%

"


You'll notice that silly number Oregon has. You'll note the massive number Ohio State and Texas has. This isn't just booster income, it's all revenue but obviously Oregon didn't make nearly 400 million from regular revenue. Boosters have been investing massive amounts into these programs. To give another example, in 2020 due to Covid Alabama had a 75 million shortfall in funds. That can be overcome on a short term basis but if that were to become a long term thing it would dramatically alter the entire athletic department and could in the case of some schools end in an inability to keep the lights on so to speak.

From what I've seen major programs would expect anywhere from 50 million to 200 million+ in extreme cases per year from boosters. This can represent 25% to 50% or more of an operating budget. This isn't counting the subsidies from the government, which in some cases make up a large portion of the budget as well. If the state legislators become displeased with the situation and remove funding some of the middle tier or lower athletic departments could no longer survive. Most athletic departments are not self-sufficient and rely on boosters and government funding to stay alive.

 

[RollTide_HTTR]

Well I'm guessing you are familiar with the Crimson Standard and the goal to raise 600 million. Well, that's booster funds basically. Now you can question the merit of such things, but it most assuredly isn't just game rooms. Due to Title IX and just the way things are run funds get distributed throughout the athletic department. So we're talking about gymnastics, softball, golf, tennis, etc... Even if the funds do not come directly from boosters, if X money is allocated to the football program than the remaining funds can get allocated elsewhere. The mention of overhead is relevant because we're also just talking operating costs. It isn't merely building a facility, it might be servicing debt, or just paying salary. A major shortfall would create huge ripple effects.

Whoa whoa, no where was I implying all booster donations were geared towards game rooms. My question was if there is a reduction in booster money going towards the school what will that actually impact. Who decides/how is it decided how that money is spent?

If you are recruiting players now with NIL deals do you still need the same amount of money for things like facilities. Which I think we can all agree have largely gotten out of hand at the bigger schools. The facility competition is kind of absurd IMO.

Also, if there is a shortfall how large will it be? Again genuine question.

This is me genuinely trying to gather information not turning my nose at booster money to schools.

The entire system is based on boosters supporting an amateur sport. They were not paying amounts commensurate with the worth of the athletes but rather with their affection for the program. A lot of people had the notion that NIL would mean they'd get legit sponsorship deals and that would be it. Instead it's becoming a way for boosters to entice players. It's also basically part of the corrupt under the table system that already existed.. In theory it isn't really that different than paying a politician to do what you want. It's basically bribery in some cases. You do what the boosters want, you get their money.

Ah, so you're just saying that the value of the player is tied to schools. For sure that's true to an extent

Idk who thought NIL would purely be legit sponsorships because that was never going to happen.

 

[B1GTide]

Woah woah, no where was I implying all booster donations were geared towards game rooms. My question was if there is a reduction in booster money going towards the school what will that actually impact. Who decides/how is it decided how that money is spent?

If you are recruiting players now with NIL deals do you still need the same amount of money for things like facilities. Which I think we can all agree have largely gotten out of hand at the bigger schools. The facility competition is kind of absurd IMO.

Also, if there is a shortfall how large will it be? Again genuine question.

A good question: Right now coaching and facilities are two huge draws. Coaching will continue to be as these players want careers in the NFL, and they want to win. But how much will schools need to continue to invest in facilities and the like to attract recruits with NIL in play? There is no way to know right now.

Idk who thought NIL would purely be legit sponsorships because that was never going to happen.

True, but that does not change the need to legalize NIL. Sadly, it will be abused.

 

[AlexanderFan]

Woah woah, no where was I implying all booster donations were geared towards game rooms. My question was if there is a reduction in booster money going towards the school what will that actually impact. Who decides/how is it decided how that money is spent?

If you are recruiting players now with NIL deals do you still need the same amount of money for things like facilities. Which I think we can all agree have largely gotten out of hand at the bigger schools. The facility competition is kind of absurd IMO.

Also, if there is a shortfall how large will it be? Again genuine question.

This is me genuinely trying to gather information not turning my nose at booster money to schools.



Ah, so you're just saying that the value of the player is tied to schools. For sure that's true to an extent

Idk who thought NIL would purely be legit sponsorships because that was never going to happen.

Let’s say you own a car business, medium size, and you write a check to Tuscaloosa for $30k a year to the Crimson fund. That goes to the University, makes you a booster.

Let’s say you approach the booster organization and tell them you’re willing to shell out $25k a year, new ride with free maintenance and gas to any recruit who will come to Alabama if they will let you plaster their face all over your billboards and dealership. That’s NIL money.

Now take those numbers and multiply them by ten and you’ll see where the worry is coming from.

 

[RollTide_HTTR]

Let’s say you own a car business, medium size, and you write a check to Tuscaloosa for $30k a year to the Crimson fund. That goes to the University, makes you a booster.

Let’s say you approach the booster organization and tell them you’re willing to shell out $25k a year, new ride with free maintenance and gas to any recruit who will come to Alabama if they will let you plaster their face all over your billboards and dealership. That’s NIL money.

Now take those numbers and multiply them by ten and you’ll see where the worry is coming from.

I definitely understand the worry. I'm just trying to figure out how much worry is warranted. For every major change there are always at least 2 sides. One that doesn't worry at all and one that thinks the sky is falling.

I guess I'm just trying to figure out where on that scale I fall. I'm sure it will be somewhere in the middle but I'm not positive to which side I'll be more heavily tilted. I do think players being able to make money was necessary though. Especially with the injury and specifically concussion issue.

There are just so many uncertainties right now which is making it hard, for me at least, to have a strong stance on some of this.

One example is will the amount of money currently being used for NIL hold strong or will things like the transfer portal give people more pause moving forward.

I believe Ewers kept all his NIL deals because NIL deals can't actually be tied to schools, and if that's the case are boosters going to continue to shell out the same amount of cash for a recruit if its possible that you've invested in a lot of money for a player who never plays for your school.

I do wonder if the better way would be to simply pay players directly from the school though I understand there are a lot of issues with that as well