Portal Spring 2024

Nope... UW is NOT paying him $2 mil... he has "several NIL deals" from boosters, most are merch based that COULD total $2 million. And, some sites state it is "guaranteed"... it most likely is ONLY based on his meeting the demands of each deal. Montlake Futures is/was, now called "Boundless Futures"... the primary UW collective:

static.gohuskies.com/custompages/nil/NIL.html

The site is very detailed on how the work and provide education about the NIL and all that is involved. They also evaluate all NIL deals and unlike some collectives do NOT take a cut of any deal. Their primary focus is on "connecting" athletes with opportunities of outside parties, and not strictly paying out cash stipends.

Again... lots of NIL $ being tossed out any way you look at it. But, 99% of athletes are not getting this type of stuff. And, it is also why the "House" legal issue is just a waste of time for most D1 schools. Making every athlete a 5 figure NIL deal that does not eliminate these "other" deals, just forces most D1 school to have to opt out. Most can't afford the 5 figures each and every year, let alone have a collective(s) try and raise even more $ for outside deals!!

I tend to "rail" against the NIL rumors, exaggerations, and misinformation. But, in reality it truly is not a factor in my OSU support and the future of OSU. OSU can't and never could play this game of trying to compete financially, let alone adding in "paying" athletes. So, it only frustrates me when the Administration plays the "funding at a P5 level" card. No... sorry you will not be able to. Maybe you'll be able to sustain what the previous P5 levels were, but not to where the future is headed.

OSU needs to figure out its niche, and show leadership to gain support for where the vast majority of FBS/FCS teams belong. Which is not in a "super" conference... and certainly not paying $30k per year per athlete on top of scholarships. And for some fans, they need to realize there is no current conference TV deal that OSU will be invited to that could sustain that type of financial investment.

I’ve said the numbers are often exaggerated, but where did you get your information that most of his NIL deals are merch based? Also, don’t the athletes have to pay taxes on merch they receive? Let’s say the number for him is exaggerated and value only comes to $1M. Still a hefty tax bill. Does the IRS now take merch as payment?

I can't find the latest report but had Year 1 info bookmarked. The numbers are of course older and have changed, but most will see they are very modest versus what is reported in the media, and although they have increased it hasn't in a significant way for the majority of student athletes. The "scary part" is the new number of "marketplaces" for athletes to contact for potential NIL deals. There used to be (3) major sites, there is now (50+), and that doesn't include deals outside of the market place.

Pretty interesting read and set of data:

businessofcollegesports.com/name-image-likeness/all-the-stats-for-year-1-of-nil/

For the most part I’m not a fan of unlimited transfers, but not sure three teams in three years is indicative of the portal working out for a player or not. Beavers had an overall record in his 2 years here of 14-49 and 6-34 in conference play. St John’s went 20-13 and 11-9 in conference in Taylor’s one year there. Some would consider that working out just fine.

Portal gives kids opportunities to look elsewhere, but it also gives coaches an opportunity to recruit over kids annually with experienced players as well as HS recruits. Not sure of roster construction, but if Taylor felt the path to achieving his goals was blocked then portal again might be working out just fine for him. Moving on to a team whose lowest win total since Taylor has been in college is 23 and they won an NCAA tourney game this season. Again, not sure that is not working out for him. Especially if he has gotten his degree or is on track to do so — and possibly picked up a little extra spending money along the way.

Not saying I like it, but 3 schools in 3 years isn’t all the rare these days. My Illinois team has brought in 2 transfers who will be playing with 3rd team in 3 years and 2 transfers who will be on to their 2nd team in first 2 years. Fans are very quick to vilify players for leaving via transfer but happy to welcome in transfers who by definition are leaving another school.

Couple years ago I would have been right there with you. Now, not an automatic red flag. Coaches need to do their due diligence. One of the players I referenced for Illinois who will be on his 3rd team in 3 years is Tre White. Played for USC his frosh year, transferred to Louisville for year 2 and signed with Illini this portal season. As an Illini fan, not really worried as I trust Coach Underwood to ask the right questions and would be much more interested in why the first transfer. The transfer from Louisville seems pretty justified to me — much like Taylor leaving a team that won 14 games in 2 seasons.

As an aside, at one point in my career I started my third job in about 12 months. During the interview process, I was asked about it — as I expected I would be. I explained the first move was to advance my career (a “promotion” with a new organization) and I was leaving that new job because it wasn’t a good fit for me. Stayed at that third job for more than 10 years.

Saw that Taylor, Jr decommited from Grand Canyon and is back in portal. I’m sure still plenty of openings left, but not so sure if those openings are at better places than GC. Curious as to where he’ll end up.