Swarm CEO article

[NCHawkeye24]

I have come to believe that a donation-based collective model is not sustainable. I think fans (including me) are willing to part with their money in support of the team, but there needs to be something tangible in return. Some of the projects the Swarm has going, like Swarm Beer and Swarm Water, are the right idea. It's too bad the university couldn't just put a nickel surcharge on every concession stand item sold at the stadium, with those proceeds benefitting players' NIL. Or any university-licensed apparel could have a $1 surcharge, with proceeds going to players. Or they create a news/fan site similar to Rivals or on3, where all profits generated would go toward the Collective.

The idea of "donating" simply for the betterment of the team just isn't a sales pitch that resonates with enough people. If we are going to "donate," there are far better causes. As I said earlier, they should never have started using the word "donate" in regard to Swarm contributions. Everything should be an exchange of goods, services, or access.

Well said Max, you hit the nail on the head. There needs to be a tangible return on investment.

Wow, it has been about 20 years ago now, but I think it was through Jon Miller but that they the Hawk Fanfest in February of 2005 I think. I drove up with my wife from NC and it was one of the coolest experiences that I have ever had. Friday night we had a dinner/mingle thing and all of the coaches were there (except KF) and the senior FB players. I talked to Norm Parker for about an hour, just shooting the bull and it wasn't like there was anyone waiting in line to talk to him or anything, like it was super casual. I remember talking to Lester Erb and KOK for about 10 minutes each and honestly the best conversation I had was with BF as he was a linemen then. Then Saturday we went to the practice facility and the entire team was there. We were able to mingle and get autographs and I think they had burgers and hot dogs there. Then that night we went to the basketball game. Sunday morning we met back at the first facility and Erb, Doyle, KOK and Norm all had presentations on various things like how they call plays, the play nomenclature, day-to-day and a Q&A. I remember Drew Tate was up there helping KOK as they did a renactment of how they call plays and audibles with an actual play clock up on stage. Then at the end KF talked for about an hour. Coolest thing ever.

I got to meet and talk with KF for a little while, maybe like 5 minutes. He was genuinely shocked that we came up from NC, like, why would we come all the way up there for this? Maybe none of them knew then what their reach was.

Just saying all that because I would pay a considerable amount of money to do something like that again. I would think if I am then I bet others would be as well.

Other ideas would be to do shoot-arounds with the basketball teams, like even play games of horse or something. Trade show or expo with athletes there accessible to the fans. Even just having an athlete in their off-season do some meet-and-greets and some light coaching, like tiny clinics. My 13 year old, here in NC, would give his future life-savings and then some to be able to meet Spencer Lee.

If the players and coaches put themselves in positions to interact and form brief relationships with the fans, I think the NIL would skyrocket as this would not be seen as a donation. Everyone earns it here.

 

[pistachio1999]

HOw about the school stop bleeding fans dry to attend games. They get all that frickin TV money. Buy the season tickets with out all the other BS to free up that $$ to go to NIL.

Fire the AD!

 

[pistachio1999]

Well said Max, you hit the nail on the head. There needs to be a tangible return on investment.

Wow, it has been about 20 years ago now, but I think it was through Jon Miller but that they the Hawk Fanfest in February of 2005 I think. I drove up with my wife from NC and it was one of the coolest experiences that I have ever had. Friday night we had a dinner/mingle thing and all of the coaches were there (except KF) and the senior FB players. I talked to Norm Parker for about an hour, just shooting the bull and it wasn't like there was anyone waiting in line to talk to him or anything, like it was super casual. I remember talking to Lester Erb and KOK for about 10 minutes each and honestly the best conversation I had was with BF as he was a linemen then. Then Saturday we went to the practice facility and the entire team was there. We were able to mingle and get autographs and I think they had burgers and hot dogs there. Then that night we went to the basketball game. Sunday morning we met back at the first facility and Erb, Doyle, KOK and Norm all had presentations on various things like how they call plays, the play nomenclature, day-to-day and a Q&A. I remember Drew Tate was up there helping KOK as they did a renactment of how they call plays and audibles with an actual play clock up on stage. Then at the end KF talked for about an hour. Coolest thing ever.

I got to meet and talk with KF for a little while, maybe like 5 minutes. He was genuinely shocked that we came up from NC, like, why would we come all the way up there for this? Maybe none of them knew then what their reach was.

Just saying all that because I would pay a considerable amount of money to do something like that again. I would think if I am then I bet others would be as well.

Other ideas would be to do shoot-arounds with the basketball teams, like even play games of horse or something. Trade show or expo with athletes there accessible to the fans. Even just having an athlete in their off-season do some meet-and-greets and some light coaching, like tiny clinics. My 13 year old, here in NC, would give his future life-savings and then some to be able to meet Spencer Lee.

If the players and coaches put themselves in positions to interact and form brief relationships with the fans, I think the NIL would skyrocket as this would not be seen as a donation. Everyone earns it here.

Some of that is kinda creepy for grown ass men to want to do. I don't get the whole autograph thing, etc. For young kids, sure I can see that as I was that way as a kid. The coaches and players were larger than life back then as a youngster. I don't wanna go have lunch with Cade.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

NIL is just the thing right now. With so many people wanting a piece of the NCAA revenue, college sports will become player unions and there will be collective bargaining at some point soon. Unfortunately that is the only way to go now. You recruit kids then sign them to a 1-4 year deal. The bowls are already on board with this model bc under contract they can no longer opt out and the transfer portal will cease to exist. If these guys want the money then they will have to be like every other professional athlete and not just be able to leave for more money or bc they are 2nd string.

Actually, evolving toward having something akin to player unions and having collective bargaining is probably a good thing.

The point being that those same structures developed in the NFL and also led to caps on rookie contracts and things like that.

One of the big problems with NIL right now is that it's just like NFL guys trying to shoot directly for their 2nd contract once they hit free-agency. However, it's even worse ... because the NFL at least has mechanisms (like caps) in order to try to keep things competitive. If you get into a run-away rich-gets-richer scenario ... it hurts competition and lowers interest in the product that you see on the field (and on the TV screen).

Furthermore, it's also worse because, as I indicated before, guys still haven't done crap yet. There are still plenty of 4 and 5 star guys who completely crash and burn ... because they were always banking on "natural ability." It's often times humbling when those talented guys run into the reality of the adage ... "hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard."

Anyhow, if caps and other regulatory measure that could prevent the football equivalent of monopolies - that could restore some of my enthusiasm for the college game. However, rampant entitlement of young people nauseates me.

 

[Fan In Black]

stop calling it NIL. It's not. It's not even pay to play. It's pay to sign. And asking fans to pay for that when the institutions are making tens of millions is insane.

They are hiding behind a phony governing body that has no real power and cashing in.

You are a sucker if you contribute to any collective.

 

[Heathen Raider]

just like they have an 85 scholarship limit which was supposed to level the playing field some they need to get this monster on a chain, Baseballs model would be the one I would say the NCAA should go to, all financials must be done in a contract way , Cash from the schools no hard salary cap but luxury tax thresholds which the Schools must pay if they exceed certain levels, The Players cannot cry bout a cap and a school can still spend how they wish but they must pay taxes on excess spending, the luxury tax penalties could go to players medical , charities , academic scholarships whatever, This wild wild west crap is not sustainable .

 

[WhyteWRandCBU]

Maybe the State of Iowa should raise its minimum wage from the level that was set 18 years ago if they want our football teams to be competitive.

 

[Heathen Raider]

Maybe the State of Iowa should raise its minimum wage from the level that was set 18 years ago if they want our football teams to be competitive.

. Corporations funding the importation of millions who will work for 1/2 of what Citizens will work for is a far bigger issue than whether the State raises the minimum wage a few bucks which just results in Businesses raising Their prices to pay for the raises.

 

[littlez]

Understood. My point was more that at some point, you'll have the same very small handful of teams who win every year. Does Richey Rich become tired of no competition and winning? Maybe, maybe not. At some point, does the symbol lose most of its status?

Ohio St, Bama, Michigan have been good forever. They didn’t just get good because of NIL. Nothing has changed.

 

[LarryMullenJr.]

Ohio St, Bama, Michigan have been good forever. They didn’t just get good because of NIL. Nothing has changed.

Never said they just got good and because of NIL.
The big boys always had dibs on the best players. But now it’s the big boys with the biggest moneys who can pick and choose not only from new recruits but from the best of the rest of the teams.
I don’t pretend to know how each schools donor situations stand but I would dare to guess there will be some that rise higher due to donors while others who were great will fall for the same reason. And at some point do they get tired of paying for “been there, done that”?

 

[BigAssTurkeyLeg]

Lol remember the time when our corporate donors paid an Alabama player six figures to come party with his friends in IC for a couple months?

Shit like that is why people won’t “donate”.

 

[fakenewsking]

Well said Max, you hit the nail on the head. There needs to be a tangible return on investment.

Wow, it has been about 20 years ago now, but I think it was through Jon Miller but that they the Hawk Fanfest in February of 2005 I think. I drove up with my wife from NC and it was one of the coolest experiences that I have ever had. Friday night we had a dinner/mingle thing and all of the coaches were there (except KF) and the senior FB players. I talked to Norm Parker for about an hour, just shooting the bull and it wasn't like there was anyone waiting in line to talk to him or anything, like it was super casual. I remember talking to Lester Erb and KOK for about 10 minutes each and honestly the best conversation I had was with BF as he was a linemen then. Then Saturday we went to the practice facility and the entire team was there. We were able to mingle and get autographs and I think they had burgers and hot dogs there. Then that night we went to the basketball game. Sunday morning we met back at the first facility and Erb, Doyle, KOK and Norm all had presentations on various things like how they call plays, the play nomenclature, day-to-day and a Q&A. I remember Drew Tate was up there helping KOK as they did a renactment of how they call plays and audibles with an actual play clock up on stage. Then at the end KF talked for about an hour. Coolest thing ever.

I got to meet and talk with KF for a little while, maybe like 5 minutes. He was genuinely shocked that we came up from NC, like, why would we come all the way up there for this? Maybe none of them knew then what their reach was.

Just saying all that because I would pay a considerable amount of money to do something like that again. I would think if I am then I bet others would be as well.

Other ideas would be to do shoot-arounds with the basketball teams, like even play games of horse or something. Trade show or expo with athletes there accessible to the fans. Even just having an athlete in their off-season do some meet-and-greets and some light coaching, like tiny clinics. My 13 year old, here in NC, would give his future life-savings and then some to be able to meet Spencer Lee.

If the players and coaches put themselves in positions to interact and form brief relationships with the fans, I think the NIL would skyrocket as this would not be seen as a donation. Everyone earns it here.

This would have been amazing when I was 12 or younger. If there was a 3rd party we could donate to that would give to the Swarm anonymously they would have a chance of getting our money. We don’t want texts, calls and emails for the next 50 years. We are not 12 so everything about meeting team and coaches is creepy.

 

[BurgHawk87]

Never said they just got good and because of NIL.
The big boys always had dibs on the best players. But now it’s the big boys with the biggest moneys who can pick and choose not only from new recruits but from the best of the rest of the teams.
I don’t pretend to know how each schools donor situations stand but I would dare to guess there will be some that rise higher due to donors while others who were great will fall for the same reason. And at some point do they get tired of paying for “been there, done that”?

Texas A$M comes to mind, they pay out the ass to average 5 losses a season.

 

[GOHOX69]

Come on, you Al Bundy's want to give 15/16ths of your paycheck to some kid who is getting some action, riding some pine and partying at the ped mall. Just make sure your wife and kids don't know

Besides the snarky sarcasm, can you see how deluded this system is. There is no oversight. There are no penalties for those getting the cash. Ballerz baybay. I still don't get why people want to worship these athletes so eh, it is what it is.

 

[Moral]

Come on, you Al Bundy's want to give 15/16ths of your paycheck to some kid who is getting some action, riding some pine and partying at the ped mall. Just make sure your wife and kids don't know

Besides the snarky sarcasm, can you see how deluded this system is. There is no oversight. There are no penalties for those getting the cash. Ballerz baybay. I still don't get why people want to worship these athletes so eh, it is what it is.

I have to go to food banks now to feed myself because I'm giving so much.

 

[Birky]

I have to go to food banks now to feed myself because I'm giving so much.

As God intended.

 

[GOHOX69]

I have to go to food banks now to feed myself because I'm giving so much.

I understand you're joking but I think society has its priorities up its ass. Donating to a food pantry makes me happy and I'll continue to do so until I'm broke or dead. Giving a 20 year old millions to get a new car and f another bimbo not so much.

 

[LarryMullenJr.]

I understand you're joking but I think society has its priorities up its ass. Donating to a food pantry makes me happy and I'll continue to do so until I'm broke or dead. Giving a 20 year old millions to get a new car and f another bimbo not so much.

Your point is a good one. I've noticed a few times at Riverside's casino, they have donation boxes for The Swarm where you can put cash, change, or slot tickets. Problem is they have them next to ones they donate to Veterans programs. Sorry, but that's a no-brainer for me.

 

[littlez]

Texas A$M comes to mind, they pay out the ass to average 5 losses a season.

My point. Just because you’ve got a big NIL fund guarantees nothing on the field. A & M has been giving huge money from the beginning and has absolutely nothing to show for it.

 

[Hans81]

Brad is awesome and I really appreciate what he is doing. With that being said, donating to college sports has gone down my priority list as I've gotten older. Would it be great to see them compete for championships? Sure. Is it going to ruin my life if they don't? Nope. I'll still support my alma mater and the name on the front win or lose more than the names on the back.

I'll ask this again....are any former NFL Hawks donating to the SWARM? Last I heard....none. That speaks volumes.

I assume Dallas Clark donates to the Swarm?

 

[Max_Rebo]

Do any current players donate to the Swarm? I mean, there probably aren’t any other people on the planet who have more to gain by bringing in more talented players to the team. And with their own NIL deals, some of them are making more money than many fans.

On face value, it might seem absurd to ask players to contribute to the Swarm. But is it really any more absurd than asking average-joe fans?

 

[Hans81]

Lol remember the time when our corporate donors paid an Alabama player six figures to come party with his friends in IC for a couple months?

Shit like that is why people won’t “donate”.

However, wasn’t it later proven that Proctor didn’t get any individuals Swarm $? Rather, it all came from corp $’s.

 

[Max_Rebo]

However, wasn’t it later proven that Proctor didn’t get any individuals Swarm $? Rather, it all came from corp $’s.

He got Swarm money, it was just from the corporate, “Swarm Inc.” side, not the donation-based “Swarm Collective.”

 

[Heathen Raider]

He got Swarm money, it was just from the corporate, “Swarm Inc.” side, not the donation-based “Swarm Collective.”

Grifter no matter where He got paid.

 

[RagnarLothbrok]

The current model is not sustainable, as has already been discussed.

It’s also an issue of common sense. No one wants to donate money to watch the offense continue to be trash. If Lester is able to give fans a glimmer of hope the offense can be productive and actually “complement” the defense, then I imagine more fans will jump on board to donate. Unfortunately, a lot of money was spent last year getting a big-name quarterback in McNamara and other important pieces like Erick All and Kaleb Brown and the result was still an offense that was the laughingstock of college football on top of the fact the stubborn old man in charge of it all insisted on sticking with a woefully bad quarterback because the alternative was evidently a pothead.

Fans want a lot more return on their investment than that. Right now, I don’t think many potential donors not already contributing to Swarm trust Kirk enough not to continue to hold the offense back and put out more of a shit product. Fran McCaffrey has a similar perception problem with the defects that always lead to postseason disappointments in basketball.

In short, football and basketball need to generate a little more excitement if they hope to attract new customers.

 

[Hawkbaby]

The current model is not sustainable, as has already been discussed.

It’s also an issue of common sense. No one wants to donate money to watch the offense continue to be trash. If Lester is able to give fans a glimmer of hope the offense can be productive and actually “complement” the defense, then I imagine more fans will jump on board to donate. Unfortunately, a lot of money was spent last year getting a big-name quarterback in McNamara and other important pieces like Erick All and Kaleb Brown and the result was still an offense that was the laughingstock of college football on top of the fact the stubborn old man in charge of it all insisted on sticking with a woefully bad quarterback because the alternative was evidently a pothead.

Fans want a lot more return on their investment than that. Right now, I don’t think many potential donors not already contributing to Swarm trust Kirk enough not to continue to hold the offense back and put out more of a shit product. Fran McCaffrey has a similar perception problem with the defects that always lead to postseason disappointments in basketball.

In short, football and basketball need to generate a little more excitement if they hope to attract new customers.

👍

 

[BigAssTurkeyLeg]

However, wasn’t it later proven that Proctor didn’t get any individuals Swarm $? Rather, it all came from corp $’s.

Who’s to say it won’t be from individuals next time though? That’s why people won’t donate. No regulations in place to help make sure that our money won’t go toward some grifter like Proctor.

 

[Max_Rebo]

Who’s to say it won’t be from individuals next time though? That’s why people won’t donate. No regulations in place to help make sure that our money won’t go toward some grifter like Proctor.

I don’t disagree; however, at least technically speaking, the money donated by individuals is only paid to players who have completed their public service work. So, from a point of view, the players would have rightfully “earned” that money.

Of course, I doubt there are many Swarm donors whose donations are motivated by seeing athletes do charity work. They want to see them contribute on the field. So in that case, it certainly seems like a wasted investment when players jump ship.

 

[BigAssTurkeyLeg]

Also, people don’t want to donate to Swarm so their money goes to keeping guys like Kyler Fisher and Nick DeJong.

Not knocking those guys but fans of other teams donate and get 5* and 4* QBs and WRs.

We get to keep our walk ons for an extra year.

Not a lot of excitement in that or any way to really move the needle for the roster.

Cade, All and Brown were the kind of players we want to donate to NIL for. Iowa needs to do more of that to get people excited to donate.

 

[Max_Rebo]

Also, people don’t want to donate to Swarm so their money goes to keeping guys like Kyler Fisher and Nick DeJong.

Not knocking those guys but fans of other teams donate and get 5* and 4* QBs and WRs.

We get to keep our walk ons for an extra year.

Not a lot of excitement in that or any way to really move the needle for the roster.

Cade, All and Brown were the kind of players we want to donate to NIL for. Iowa needs to do more of that to get people excited to donate.

FWIW, I don’t think fans donations are going to any of these guys. For players like Fisher, DeJong, Cade, All, and Brown, I believe it’s the corporate “Swarm Inc.” that comes up with the marketing deals to get them money.

Fan donations are used to pay guys for doing charity work. These are the equal stipends that all participating players receive. It’s been estimated that it amounts to $15-$20K a year. All participating players get this money, whether they are the 13th player on the basketball roster or the starting quarterback.

 

[BigAssTurkeyLeg]

FWIW, I don’t think fans donations are going to any of these guys. For players like Fisher, DeJong, Cade, All, and Brown, I believe it’s the corporate “Swarm Inc.” that comes up with the marketing deals to get them money.

Fan donations are used to pay guys for doing charity work. These are the equal stipends that all participating players receive. It’s been estimated that it amounts to $15-$20K a year. All participating players get this money, whether they are the 13th player on the basketball roster or the starting quarterback.

Okay so my point stands. I think it’s great that we do this, but it’s not going to excite anyone to donate money so the 5th string walk on safety can go to the animal shelter.

I’m really not trying to be a dick, so I hope it isn’t coming across that way.

It’s just not a surprise not that many individuals donate because there isn’t really any excitement in doing so.

The corporate sponsors supposedly bring in the new recruits with the bigger deals so why does it matter how many individual donors we have anyway?

 

[cidhawkeye]

Okay so my point stands. I think it’s great that we do this, but it’s not going to excite anyone to donate money so the 5th string walk on safety can go to the animal shelter.

I’m really not trying to be a dick, so I hope it isn’t coming across that way.

It’s just not a surprise not that many individuals donate because there isn’t really any excitement in doing so.

The corporate sponsors supposedly bring in the new recruits with the bigger deals so why does it matter how many individual donors we have anyway?

Interesting to see what would happen when you try….

 

[Max_Rebo]

Okay so my point stands. I think it’s great that we do this, but it’s not going to excite anyone to donate money so the 5th string walk on safety can go to the animal shelter.

I’m really not trying to be a dick, so I hope it isn’t coming across that way.

It’s just not a surprise not that many individuals donate because there isn’t really any excitement in doing so.

The corporate sponsors supposedly bring in the new recruits with the bigger deals so why does it matter how many individual donors we have anyway?

You’re not being a dick at all.

As I understand it, there is some corporate money that ends up in the collective side, helping support the charity work stipends that participating players receive. So, in theory, as more individual donations come in, the corporate money could be used on the Swarm Inc side, helping bring in “big fish” type recruits. In theory.

Also, Brad has said that individuals are free to donate to the Swarm Inc side if they choose. But those donations will not be tax-deductible.

Still, if your motivation in supporting Swarm is more about seeing top-level recruits play for the Hawkeyes, and less about helping the fifth-string safety earn a stipend for reading books to school kids, the most direct way to help make that happen might be to direct your donation to Swarm Inc, rather than the Swarm Collective.

 

[BigAssTurkeyLeg]

You’re not being a dick at all.

As I understand it, there is some corporate money that ends up in the collective side, helping support the charity work stipends that participating players receive. So, in theory, as more individual donations come in, the corporate money could be used on the Swarm Inc side, helping bring in “big fish” type recruits. In theory.

Also, Brad has said that individuals are free to donate to the Swarm Inc side if they choose. But those donations will not be tax-deductible.

Still, if your motivation in supporting Swarm is more about seeing top-level recruits play for the Hawkeyes, and less about helping the fifth-string safety earn a stipend for reading books to school kids, the most direct way to help make that happen might be to direct your donation to Swarm Inc, rather than the Swarm Collective.

Ah okay that makes some sense. I thought the charity side Swarm Collective was completely self sustained with the 2,900 individual donors. I didn’t realize that Swarm Inc was subsidizing that side currently as well.

 

[Max_Rebo]

Ah okay that makes some sense. I thought the charity side Swarm Collective was completely self sustained with the 2,900 individual donors. I didn’t realize that Swarm Inc was subsidizing that side currently as well.

I might be wrong about that, but that’s what I remember Brad saying one time.

 

[Packer54]

Maybe the State of Iowa should raise its minimum wage from the level that was set 18 years ago if they want our football teams to be competitive.

Maybe.....but raise the minimum and cut employees and/or their hours.

 

[iahawkeyes17]

Okay so my point stands. I think it’s great that we do this, but it’s not going to excite anyone to donate money so the 5th string walk on safety can go to the animal shelter.

I’m really not trying to be a dick, so I hope it isn’t coming across that way.

It’s just not a surprise not that many individuals donate because there isn’t really any excitement in doing so.

The corporate sponsors supposedly bring in the new recruits with the bigger deals so why does it matter how many individual donors we have anyway?

This is exactly why co worker stopped. Yes charity work is good but they are paying theses athletes hundreds if not thousands to do this stuff. And like he said as much as he loved womens b-ball with Clark he doesn’t want his $ going to some women’s bench warmer or as you said some walk on special teams player. He could use his $ for better things.

Also as he said. Players should be doing charity because it’s the right thing to do. not because they are getting paid to do it.

 

[BigAssTurkeyLeg]

This is exactly why co worker stopped. Yes charity work is good but they are paying theses athletes hundreds if not thousands to do this stuff. And like he said as much as he loved womens b-ball with Clark he doesn’t want his $ going to some women’s bench warmer or as you said some walk on special teams player. He could use his $ for better things.

Also as he said. Players should be doing charity because it’s the right thing to do. not because they are getting paid to do it.

Yeah I don’t get it. Brad is always asking for people to donate, but why? Our money goes equally among all players for the most part and won’t go toward bringing in a 5* QB or WR. There isn’t really an incentive to donate because, like you said, they should volunteer for charity anyway as generations of players before them did for free.

 

[herkhatescy]

However, wasn’t it later proven that Proctor didn’t get any individuals Swarm $? Rather, it all came from corp $’s.

Yes.

 

[littlez]

Also, people don’t want to donate to Swarm so their money goes to keeping guys like Kyler Fisher and Nick DeJong.

Not knocking those guys but fans of other teams donate and get 5* and 4* QBs and WRs.

We get to keep our walk ons for an extra year.

Not a lot of excitement in that or any way to really move the needle for the roster.

Cade, All and Brown were the kind of players we want to donate to NIL for. Iowa needs to do more of that to get people excited to donate.

So you expect the Swarm to bring in nothing but All American's at every position? Because that's just a little bit unrealistic.