Yes, I have and will continue to contribute to SWARM for multiple reasons (apologies for length):
1. A competitive football team and men's basketball team (and other sports) is not only fun but most importantly, provides an
incredible ROI for the entire athletic department, University, Iowa City community, and even the state. The increased awareness and branding drive an increase in student applications from across the country which in-turn increases University enrollment, revenue, quality of students, employee hiring base (attracts employers to the state), successful alumni base, etc.
Look at historical enrollment statistics and endowments over the past 10-15 years for schools like Alabama, Clemson and even Wisconsin as an example.
Without a large metro in the state and in a northern state with a static and aging population, this is
especially critical for the University of Iowa as we enter an era of fewer students applying to universities.
2. While Iowa has several inherent disadvantages (low population, climate, significant regional competition, comparative lack of major employers/$),
Iowa also has numerous significant advantages that, if appropriately leveraged with a well-run NIL program, could realistically elevate Iowa into a perennial winner and attractive brand. Some of the advantages include:
Brand – currently on a solid foundation. Recent history of winning, B1G university, Kinnick, the Wave, etc.
Fans – passionate and extremely loyal fanbase, locally and nationally. While no Phil Knights, Iowa’s fanbase is comprised of 10’s of thousands of highly successful people that are engaged – both alumni and non-alumni.
Culture – KF and Fran have built very strong cultures that would likely maximize the benefits of NIL and not create a mercenary team that underperforms such as Miami, Texas A&M, etc.
Exposure – along with brand, being in one of the two pre-eminent national conferences combined with B1G expansion (that will continue IMO), national media’s (Fox, CBS, NBC, etc.) incentive to seek and promote brands to drive eyeballs to their content. Dochterman as a talented sportswriter at the Athletic helps with this too.
SWARM – Led by a highly successful entrepreneur that built his own company, understands business, investing significant amount of his time and personal capital, aligning with coaches’ vision, and not for personal financial gain.
3. The student athletes have and will earn it as dictated by market value. We all know that the explosion of athletic department revenues (and ancillary benefits) driven by football has almost all gone to universities. The time commitment for a D1 athlete is significant – effectively full-time jobs on top of school.
Diver made an earlier point that he didn’t like that NIL was not available for all sports including the non-revenue athletes as currently constructed. IMO, there are really tiers of compensation that theoretically would be driven by revenue generation and market demand, but most are supplemented by football to drive a more well-rounded athletic department, diversity of student body and the overall student-athlete experience.
Tier 1 (all scholarship athletes) – Tuition, room & board, books, meals, coaching and training, tutors, medical
Tier 2 – Base NIL, which is currently available through SWARM to all athletes (including walk-ons) in football and men’s & women’s basketball and earned by the athletes through charitable activities such as mentoring, children’s hospital, etc. Note that any other group is welcome to set something up for the sport(s) of their choice.
Think of the possibilities of roster construction for football – scholarship to Iowa State or out-of-state school, or scholarship + $XXK per year or even walk-on + $XXK per year at Iowa?
Tier 3 – Corporate NIL – For the elite-level athlete with the highest brand and marketable value. QB, left-tackles, Caitlyn Clark, etc. I’m sure if Iowa had an outstanding Olympic-level athlete in another sport that they would have opportunities as well.
4. It’s a win / win. This isn’t about dividing a pool of finite resources. I view this as an extraordinary opportunity for the University of Iowa to advance the brand, elevate the student body in volume and quality, increase interest in attendance and contributions, and overall national relevance.
Go Hawks!