The future of NIL?

[Pilsner]

If billionaires like Phil Knight (Oregon) and Dennis Albaugh (Iowa State) can bankroll the NIL of schools they have a passion for or connection to, how long until billionaires without connections to a particular school start throwing their money around? These guys tend to be competitive, and professional sports has shown us they sometimes like to throw their money around in order to associate with a winner. College NIL could become analogous to buying a professional sports franchise for the ego kick (winning championships) but without some of the other revenue payoffs or tax breaks. Would it be worth it?

And would this support be limited to U.S. billionaires? Is there any legal or practical reason (other than a school turning up their nose at the impropriety of it all), for example, that a Saudi or Emirati prince couldn't decide to fund a school's NIL?

 

[HawkLogic]

If billionaires like Phil Knight (Oregon) and Dennis Albaugh (Iowa State) can bankroll the NIL of schools they have a passion for or connection to, how long until billionaires without connections to a particular school start throwing their money around? These guys tend to be competitive, and professional sports has shown us they sometimes like to throw their money around in order to associate with a winner. College NIL could become analogous to buying a professional sports franchise for the ego kick (winning championships) but without some of the other revenue payoffs or tax breaks. Would it be worth it?

And would this support be limited to U.S. billionaires? Is there any legal or practical reason (other than a school turning up their nose at the impropriety of it all), for example, that a Saudi or Emirati prince couldn't decide to fund a school's NIL?

the Ex-Milwaukee Buck's owner/investor Marc Lasry is pitching something like this that Schools sell off their sports team rights for teams to private equity.

The more college football movie towards the NIL model, the less I'm interested in watching. What is the point of these athletes even attending class at "their" school anymore.

 

[icwesthawk]

There is no future with NIL

 

[doughuddl2]

the Ex-Milwaukee Buck's owner/investor Marc Lasry is pitching something like this that Schools sell off their sports team rights for teams to private equity.

The more college football movie towards the NIL model, the less I'm interested in watching. What is the point of these athletes even attending class at "their" school anymore.

I feel differently. If Iowa had an XFL team with former players I'd be all in for that.

 

[SDHawkDoc]

If you are a fan of truly amateur sports limited to actual student athletes playing just for the desire to play there are other options. DIII is one.

FBS football and D1 men's bball hasn't been classic amateur for years. What's changed now is that the dollars are bigger and it's nearly all out in the open. If you're bothered by it now then it's about the extent of it and the amounts of money involved, not that there is pay for play. We've all been watching de facto semi-pro sports for a long time.

 

[Madman_1]

There is no future with NIL

They should change the label from "NIL". The moniker "Name, Image, Likeness" is a mockery of what is really going on.

 

[littlez]

If billionaires like Phil Knight (Oregon) and Dennis Albaugh (Iowa State) can bankroll the NIL of schools they have a passion for or connection to, how long until billionaires without connections to a particular school start throwing their money around? These guys tend to be competitive, and professional sports has shown us they sometimes like to throw their money around in order to associate with a winner. College NIL could become analogous to buying a professional sports franchise for the ego kick (winning championships) but without some of the other revenue payoffs or tax breaks. Would it be worth it?

And would this support be limited to U.S. billionaires? Is there any legal or practical reason (other than a school turning up their nose at the impropriety of it all), for example, that a Saudi or Emirati prince couldn't decide to fund a school's NIL?

How good was Oregon this year?

 

[LarryMullenJr.]

But at some point don’t the gajillionaires get to a point where they say “what’s the point?” I mean great, you bought 12 national championships because you paid for the best players. Doesn’t that get old/boring at some point?

I’ll have stopped caring long before it could get to that point but still..

 

[ichawk24]

The song is different but the tune is the same. Money has always driven college football and recruiting.

The big schools with large fanbases will continue to dominate. Some super rich guy isn't making East Carolina a 7-time national title winner.

And no one is going to use money to win 12 national titles. There are other guys spending to win, too.

 

[hawkjt]

If you are a fan of truly amateur sports limited to actual student athletes playing just for the desire to play there are other op,unlimited amenities tions. DIII is one.

FBS football and D1 men's bball hasn't been classic amateur for years. What's changed now is that the dollars are bigger and it's nearly all out in the open. If you're bothered by it now then it's about the extent of it and the amounts of money involved, not that there is pay for play. We've all been watching de facto semi-pro sports for a long time.

It is like that frog just enjoying an increasingly warmer bath until it reaches a boil and the game is over.
I suspect fan apathy is increasing with the loss of innocence playing a big part.
Fans were fine with lavish facilities, unlimited amenities, autos, 36k in annual stipends ect but buying players in a free agent market with unlimited transfers is a deal- breaker for many fans.
Sorry, but I disagree that the main difference is transparency.
Ironically, the NIL era is destroying the schools brand as the players are supposedly being paid for their brand.
Team sports used to be more about the TEAM and the school they represent ,not individuals.

The water is getting warmer and fans are dying off.

 

[onlyTheObvious]

NIL is for rich people.

There will never come a day when I give my money to a kid so he can earn more money than me to play a sport in college while also getting a free education.

It will never get that important to me.