I know the vast majority of our fanbase doesn't care, but it'll be interesting to see what happens with elite talent in non-revenue sports. For example, under the new status quo, a guy like Erik Kynard probably gets some $$$ because he was the No. 1 high jumper in the country and lots of schools wanted him. Can/will K-State be able to compete for elite athletes in the non-revenue sports? Probably not, but I'm curious to see how we approach it (and how mean gene probably messes it up).
So many people get this discussion wrong, the way this is framed is absolutely not what the reality of athlete compensation is. This board sounds exactly like the olds on KSO/GPC.
First of all everyone needs to stop talking about what K-State or Gene will pay football players, basketball players, track athletes, rowers, whoever. I'm going to shout this in hopes everyone hears it.
THERE IS NO CURRENT MODEL BEING DISCUSSED THAT ENTAILS ATHLETIC DEPARTMENTS PAYING STUDENT ATHLETES OUTSIDE OF WHAT AN ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT WILL MAKE FROM INDIVIDUAL ATHLETES APPAREL SALES. PERIOD.
We're not talking about Baylor and K-State in a bidding war for a four star running back from Round Rock. The current changes in laws and policy are simply allowing student athletes to participate in the same free market that everyone else is in. This has nothing to do with Gene, or any coach, scholarship limits, minimum varsity teams, none of that.
NCAA v. Alston, NIL legislation, neither of those make student athletes employees, there's no bidding or payroll involved here.
The biggest frustration about K-State fans in particular gnashing our teeth about this is that the reform that allows athletic departments to put cash in student athletes pockets has already happened. Remember the cost of living payments? When we instituted those K-State gave out the highest disbursement per player in the conference and were top 5 nationwide. I don't know where we are now because that hasn't been reported since after the second year it was instituted.
Intentional or not but misframing NIL and the Alston ruling gives fuel to the olds who are bent because they think this means athletic departments will be out there bidding for the services of poor black kids, then it's all like "what about me" or "what about my kid."
I don't disagree with what you've shared on it's face. But, the reality is that the savvy/forward-thinking athletic departments will be able to "connect" student-athletes with organizations that will then pay them in the form of endorsements, etc. That could be any number of things - from being an "influencer" on social media (product endorsement, etc.) to appearances in advertising, etc. Frankly, I think it's a bit obtuse to take the view that athletic departments won't play a crucial role (particularly in those states where legislation is set to take effect). It may not be the athletic department directly paying the athletes. But, I would be absolutely shocked if they don't serve as a facilitator in many instances. And, those that can't/won't/refuse to play that game are likely to be left behind.
This is exactly what's going to happen. To believe that places like Miami or A&M for example, who have already had boosters take recruits out to strip clubs and bought them cars, won't create organizations to pay top players and recruits, is simply being blind to the college landscape of today. You're about to see certain college athletic programs never fall from grace again because they'll simply be able to buy the players they need to get into the 8-12 team playoff every year.
Hell, even if it were to only work like MIR claims, what's to stop a wealthy booster from purchasing (for example), enough t-shirts/jersey's from a department to generate $10k for a player, donate the shirts to charity as a tax write off, and then go out for a drink as the AD hands the kid a check while saying "If you don't transfer, these checks will keep coming"?
In this insanely unlikely scenario, I'd say, who cares it's the market speaking so we'll done for the athlete. In this scenario of everybody will cheat and football players will be up for the highest bidder, why isn't it happening now with cost of living payments?
You really don't think someone is going to buy $500,000 dollars worth of some college football player's jersey and t-shirt do you? That's absurd, why wouldn't this person just hire the athlete for a gig?
This crazy hypocritical notwithstanding it still isn't universities spending money on this. The point, PurpleOil, is that NIL won't have any negative effect on the bottom line of athletic departments.
