Post by grayman on Jan 4, 2024 13:19:33 GMT -8
If Charlie Baker's proposal goes through, the NIL will be controlled by the schools.
From Ross Dellenger:
"Baker’s proposal, deemed as “Project Division I” and introduced last month, would permit schools to strike name, image and likeness (NIL) deals with athletes and offer them an unlimited amount of educationally related benefits. A third concept, perhaps viewed as the most radical, creates a new FBS subdivision requiring schools to deposit into a trust $30,000 per athlete for half of a school’s athletes."
Many school leaders see this as a political ploy to begin more serious discussions. The dropping of such a bombshell well before getting the Congressional support it needs (Baker wants some anti-trust exemptions and protection from athletes being employees) seems to be Baker's way to energize discussion, but almost zero can be done without Congressional support. Hence, it will be a bunch of ever changing proposals for now.
And, as with most administrators, anyone who thinks this is a positive step for the majority of D1 schools is mistaken. Having to come up with MORE money is the issue most AD already have. OSU for instance is in the $85 million range for it's overall budget with most of it's programs running in the red. Our current "outside NIL" funds are said to be almost $3 million between (2) organizations (estimates of the second varying). Where would OSU ever come up with a $15 million dollar pool (based on 500 D1 athletes) that must then be split based on Title IX (required since run by the school)??
The ridiculous part of this NIL "solution" (ok there are several reasons) is that NIL is based on a athlete's endorsement potential and the ability, not the right, to earn NIL money. This proposal now states EVERY D1 athlete receives NIL $ through the "pool", and it is equal, no matter the NIL "value" of an athlete. Hence, it is no longer NIL in the sense it was passed through the judicial system. It is now "equal wage for unequal value"... as not every athlete "earns the school money on the same level. NIL was based on schools making money on the name, image, and likeness of athletes and they deserved some of that. I disagree to some extent as the educational, medical, room, board, and extras are not calculated into that. But, under this proposal it in no way follows that guideline.
I do not think Baker's proposal ever sees the light of day as it stands. If anything come close it will mean a new super division, NFL "minor league", with OSU being one of the many schools that opt out. The good news, not too many schools can "play & pay" at that level when it comes to funding every athlete in every sport. And there are only so many scholarships available at those schools that opt in. In the end it may be called and run differently, but not too much different than the current situation.
However, conjecture over things that are so generalized at this time is a waste of time in many regards. But, whatever happens it appears the divide between the haves and have nots will only widen.
I think Baker is pushing this as a way to alleviate some of the NIL issues but his overall intentions aren't in line with many programs.