Miami Basketball and NIL

[colbert17]

Good article regarding Miami's use of NIL money. Didn't realize that it was one guy who put up most of the cash. Nothing groundbreaking here but a good read for someone, like me, who doesn't know much about this.

Miami's presence at men's NCAA Tournament Final Four a testament to power of NIL

A very good, and very well-paid, Miami basketball team is in the men's NCAA Tournament Final Four for the first time in school history.

www.usatoday.com

 

[Plum Street]

We can learn a lot from Miami .

Here is telling excerpt from the article :

“And the NCAA’s refusal to compromise, even in the face of clear messages from the court system and state legislatures that it needed to, created a Wild West environment that not everyone likes but they sure as heck need to accept now if they want to compete”

 

[Unionst]

I am looking for an advertisement, or some other work, that one of these Miami players has done for Life Wallet and have found nothing. I would have been surprised if I found something. This is really taking some of the enjoyment out of college basketball for me.

 

[Plum Street]

I am looking for an advertisement, or some other work, that one of these Miami players has done for Life Wallet and have found nothing. I would have been surprised if I found something. This is really taking some of the enjoyment out of college basketball for me.

Why ? Are the games less fun to watch?
It’s been a pretty good month of college basketball

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

I am looking for an advertisement, or some other work, that one of these Miami players has done for Life Wallet and have found nothing. I would have been surprised if I found something. This is really taking some of the enjoyment out of college basketball for me.

We are doing it too...just on a smaller scale.

I am with you though.

I am still under the belief when the dust settles this is a huge net negative for us.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Why ? Are the games less fun to watch?
It’s been a pretty good month of college basketball

I didn't watch the Miami game because i don't like UCONN and couldnt root for Miami.

That is my problem, but yes for me it is less fun.

Again that is my problem and not yours.

 

[MiloTalon13]

We can learn a lot from Miami .

Here is telling excerpt from the article :

“And the NCAA’s refusal to compromise, even in the face of clear messages from the court system and state legislatures that it needed to, created a Wild West environment that not everyone likes but they sure as heck need to accept now if they want to compete”

You left out this part:
"The reason this had to happen in college sports is because refusal to share the wealth with the athletes who helped create it was not sustainable."

I'd add not legal, moral or ethical.

 

[Unionst]

Why ? Are the games less fun to watch?
It’s been a pretty good month of college basketball

I still watch the games and am not against NIL on some level. But we are really moving in the direction that there is even less connection between a university and its basketball and football teams. So why would I root for my college team if it’s really just professionals borrowing my school‘s name but having no connection to the academic side. And the fact I’m not seeing signs that a lot of guys do anything in return for their NIL (as supposedly required) bugs me too. All this just has me less interested for this weekend than in the past. Go FAU I suppose.

 

[Plum Street]

I didn't watch the Miami game because i don't like UCONN and couldnt root for Miami.

That is my problem, but yes for me it is less fun.

Again that is my problem and not yours.

I wouldn’t say it’s a problem. Just a preference you have

 

[MiloTalon13]

I still watch the games and am not against NIL on some level. But we are really moving in the direction that there is even less connection between a university and its basketball and football teams. So why would I root for my college team if it’s really just professionals borrowing my school‘s name but having no connection to the academic side. And the fact I’m not seeing signs that a lot of guys do anything in return for their NIL (as supposedly required) bugs me too. All this just has me less interested for this weekend than in the past. Go FAU I suppose.

NIL is just making you more aware of the lack of connection to the academic side. That's been a big thing for high-major football/basketball for decades.

 

[bac2therac]

It only just begun..when we have 5 or more years of players bought moving to the highest bidder each year believe me its going to effect alot of peoples thoughts on following college sports going forward

 

[MiloTalon13]

It only just begun..when we have 5 or more years of players bought moving to the highest bidder each year believe me its going to effect alot of peoples thoughts on following college sports going forward

I think the performance level of even the top players at this age/level is too variable to ever make that as big of a deal as in the NBA and even there it doesn't always work out as expected.

Also, there is only one free transfer per athlete. We'll see how NCAA enforcement/exceptions go around that.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

It only just begun..when we have 5 or more years of players bought moving to the highest bidder each year believe me its going to effect alot of peoples thoughts on following college sports going forward

If Cliff transfers to Auburn and we find out he will make $5,000,000 over 2 years I think many RU basketball fans would start questioning how much college basketball means to them.

 

[AZBlues]

I didn't watch the Miami game because i don't like UCONN and couldnt root for Miami.

That is my problem, but yes for me it is less fun.

Again that is my problem and not yours.

Ditto.

 

[Unionst]

NIL is just making you more aware of the lack of connection to the academic side. That's been a big thing for high-major football/basketball for decades.

I have had a few college athletes in the family over the years (D1 and D3) so I have seen the disconnect up close. But this is a new level.

 

[retired711]

Isn't the talk of a "disconnect" somewhat excessive? Rutgers, for instance, seems to do a pretty good job of graduating athletes with degrees. That's why we got into a bowl game last year.

 

[Unionst]

If Cliff transfers to Auburn and we find out he will make $5,000,000 over 2 years I think many RU basketball fans would start questioning how much college basketball means to them.

Time to find a D3 team to watch. For what it’s worth, I was killing time on the campus of Kutztown State (D2 or 3) some years ago while my kid was at a camp there. I walked into the gym and the women’s hoops team was playing. Turned out to be triple OT and in regulation and the first 2 OT’s buzzer beaters tied the game. 3 times in a row. Incredibly fun to be there with the 75 other attendees. So there’s going in that direction….

 

[Plum Street]

Isn't the talk of a "disconnect" somewhat excessive? Rutgers, for instance, seems to do a pretty good job of graduating athletes with degrees. That's why we got into a bowl game last year.

No, it’s not excessive . Just do the math, there are only so many hours in a day . These guys have a full time job playing a sport and then factor in travel and the mental and physical grind. It’s hard to be a full time student under those circumstances even with the academic “support they get.

I wouldn’t get too hung up on graduation rates . Most of these guys take easy classes with professors that like sports . And they have academic “support”.
When you get a guy like a Myles Johnson everyone screams from the rooftops about it , because it’s so rare . But it really isn’t supposed to be. That’s the system

 

[MiloTalon13]

No, it’s not excessive . Just do the math, there are only so many hours in a day . These guys have a full time job playing a sport and then factor in travel and the mental and physical grind. It’s hard to be a full time student under those circumstances even with the academic “support they get.

I wouldn’t get too hung up on graduation rates . Most of these guys take easy classes with professors that like sports . And they have academic “support”.
When you get a guy like a Myles Johnson everyone screams from the rooftops about it , because it’s so rare . But it really isn’t supposed to be. That’s the system

Exactly. How often do you hear about a high major backing off a recruit for academic reasons?
With some exceptions - NW, Stanford... they don't care.

 

[RUsojo]

If Cliff transfers to Auburn and we find out he will make $5,000,000 over 2 years I think many RU basketball fans would start questioning how much college basketball means to them.

Rutgers fans already contribute less than all of their peers. I think collectively how Rutgers fans feel about college basketball (and sports) is already defined.

 

[LotusAggressor]

This is the result of the NCAA ignoring multiple shots across its bow for the last 4 decades.

 

[fg7321]

The Yankees have been buying top players for years. Remind me when they last won a Pennant let alone the World Series?

 

[MiloTalon13]

The Yankees have been buying top players for years. Remind me when they last won a Pennant let alone the World Series?

There is a strong correlation in MLB between having a top-10 payroll and making the playoffs.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Time to find a D3 team to watch. For what it’s worth, I was killing time on the campus of Kutztown State (D2 or 3) some years ago while my kid was at a camp there. I walked into the gym and the women’s hoops team was playing. Turned out to be triple OT and in regulation and the first 2 OT’s buzzer beaters tied the game. 3 times in a row. Incredibly fun to be there with the 75 other attendees. So there’s going in that direction….

NHL is where I would turn

 

[Rhuarc]

If Cliff transfers to Auburn and we find out he will make $5,000,000 over 2 years I think many RU basketball fans would start questioning how much college basketball means to them.

If Cliff got that much money to go to Auburn my first thought would be, "Damn, I wish I was 20 years old and could play basketball." Then I would say, "Good for Cliff, I don't blame him one bit".

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

If Cliff got that much money to go to Auburn my first thought would be, "Damn, I wish I was 20 years old and could play basketball." Then I would say, "Good for Cliff, I don't blame him one bit".

I’d say the 2nd half. I am at Stage 5 on the grief spectrum regarding my basketball playing career.

 

[Plum Street]

Time to find a D3 team to watch. For what it’s worth, I was killing time on the campus of Kutztown State (D2 or 3) some years ago while my kid was at a camp there. I walked into the gym and the women’s hoops team was playing. Turned out to be triple OT and in regulation and the first 2 OT’s buzzer beaters tied the game. 3 times in a row. Incredibly fun to be there with the 75 other attendees. So there’s going in that direction….

Well, don’t let the door hit you on the way out . The RAC is packed and a tough ticket to get for a mediocre rutgers team.

I really don’t get these posts and attitudes about “fans” threatening not to care . Or to leave . Hell, for the rutgers mens basketball team fan interest is at an all-time high!

 

[NickRU714]

If Cliff transfers to Auburn and we find out he will make $5,000,000 over 2 years I think many RU basketball fans would start questioning how much college basketball means to them.

It's hypocrisy.
That's the exact environment that was Pre-NIL. The environment that many want to return.

Schools paying under the table to secure players.
This wouldn't be a "Transfer Portal" or "NIL" boogeyman.

 

[NickRU714]

Who wants to pull Ace Bailey's scholarship since we "bought him" from other schools?

 

[NickRU714]

I still watch the games and am not against NIL on some level. But we are really moving in the direction that there is even less connection between a university and its basketball and football teams. So why would I root for my college team if it’s really just professionals borrowing my school‘s name but having no connection to the academic side. And the fact I’m not seeing signs that a lot of guys do anything in return for their NIL (as supposedly required) bugs me too. All this just has me less interested for this weekend than in the past. Go FAU I suppose.

Wait until Ace Bailey and (hopefully) Harper spend approx 6 months on campus.

I'm sure soooooo many won't watch or attend those games.
Watch how fast the "but academics" posts go out the window.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

It's hypocrisy.
That's the exact environment that was Pre-NIL. The environment that many want to return.

Schools paying under the table to secure players.
This wouldn't be a "Transfer Portal" or "NIL" boogeyman.

I don’t know the extent of the cheating that took place. I highly doubt it was more than a fraction of what NIL will become.

Plus it was illegal and this is legal.

 

[LotusAggressor]

Who wants to pull Ace Bailey's scholarship since we "bought him" from other schools?

Crickets.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Wait until Ace Bailey and (hopefully) Harper spend approx 6 months on campus.

I'm sure soooooo many won't watch or attend those games.
Watch how fast the "but academics" posts go out the window.

Maybe some number between 60-80% go out the window. You are still left with the 20-40%.

I am in the 20-40% that will get fed up and leave. I have an added foot out the door because I don’t like where the actual game is headed…….too many 3s and isolation

 

[AZBlues]

Wait until Ace Bailey and (hopefully) Harper spend approx 6 months on campus.

I'm sure soooooo many won't watch or attend those games.
Watch how fast the "but academics" posts go out the window.

How do you know for sure that Ace and Dylan aren't interested in academics along with basketball?

We all have different value orientations, and some people won't change their feelings about academics or NIL regardless of how RU obtains their future players or how good those players are, as Greene Rice FIG already mentioned.

To be accurate though, you should put "(hopefully)" before Ace Bailey's name too... And although you didn't mention Dellquan Warren, before his name too. Neither can sign for at least 7 or 8 months, during which time nothing prevents other schools from recruiting them hard and offering them unknown amounts of private donor NIL cash... And while we're at it, Ndongo and Davis aren't signed yet either, although they can sign in a few weeks if they choose to.. Hopefully your optimism of how elite our future lineups will be will prove to be correct, but our future players, even if committed, aren't set in stone yet. And NIL will probably play at least somewhat of a role, including if we end up being disappointed.

 

[LotusAggressor]

I don’t know the extent of the cheating that took place. I highly doubt it was more than a fraction of what NIL will become.

Plus it was illegal and this is legal.

It was selectively illegal.

 

[AZBlues]

Who wants to pull Ace Bailey's scholarship since we "bought him" from other schools?

Do you know for sure that RU offered more money than Auburn or the many other schools that have offered him? If RU didn't offer the most money, then you can't accurately say that we "bought him" from all those schools.

And will you be just as happy for them (and with NIL) if our committed players end up decommiting before they sign, or transferring in a year, for more NIL money elsewhere?

 

[G- RUnit]

Rutgers fans already contribute less than all of their peers. I think collectively how Rutgers fans feel about college basketball (and sports) is already defined.

Miami has that one giant donor.
Oregon has Nike.
Didn’t T Boone Pickens donate over 1 billion dollars to OSU?
Many schools have 50 year head starts.

Don’t think it’s fair to rip RU fans. We have great donors but not that massive donor.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Am I less of a fan if I choose to donate 100% of the money I donate to real charities?

 

[RUsojo]

Am I less of a fan if I choose to donate 100% of the money I donate to real charities?

I would say given the paradigm of college athletics you’re not less of a Rutgers fan, you just care less about achieving success than peer school fans on average.

But to caveat, your (not you, the proverbial “you”) current portfolio of charitable donations doesn’t need to be sacrificed in order to kick some money to Rutgers athletics. And beyond that, the key point here is, other fanbases have showed a commitment to figuring out a way to do so.

So in general, looking at a statement like Rutgers fans don’t support their programs like their peers as a personal attack to one’s own charitable giving, is missing the point.

 

[retired711]

No, it’s not excessive . Just do the math, there are only so many hours in a day . These guys have a full time job playing a sport and then factor in travel and the mental and physical grind. It’s hard to be a full time student under those circumstances even with the academic “support they get.

I wouldn’t get too hung up on graduation rates . Most of these guys take easy classes with professors that like sports . And they have academic “support”.
When you get a guy like a Myles Johnson everyone screams from the rooftops about it , because it’s so rare . But it really isn’t supposed to be. That’s the system

A degree is a degree, no matter how you got it. Having a degree gives a kid a good start in life, especially because we live in a world in which degrees are required for lots of jobs. There is no "jock major" at Rutgers and, for that matter, there are hardly any "professors that like sports" who would give a big break for it. It's a tribute to the kids (and to the academic support they get at Rutgers) that they are able to graduate and to get the boost that a degree gives them. Despite what an earlier commenter said above, the kids are not just quasi-professionals who lend their name to Rutgers -- they actually do the academic work necessary despite all of the challenges of being a student/athlete.

BTW, one of the most admirable things about Greg Schiano is that he makes clear to his students he cares about their getting degrees, and encourages them in that effort. Schiano is a big reason why there is as much academic support as there is.