Let’s say I only have enough discretionary money in my budget to either buy season tickets or contribute to NIL for UK And watch games on TV.
What should a true fan do . Which helps the program more ?
Your dilemma is just a microcosm of what every big-time donor and Mitch Barnhard is now facing, and that is this.
Does the school get the money, or do the players get the money from donors and fans???
There is only so much money to go around, and every dollar that goes to NIL is just a dollar that MB and the athletic department want or need to keep up with the Jone's in buildings, salaries, funding non-revenue sports, title IX etc., etc.
Only the wealthiest schools with the wealthiest fanbases will be able to compete at the highest level under the current system unless there are changes made to the entire system of what has become a free for all in enticing (buying and paying for) the best available players whether in the transfer portal or recruiting out of high school.
The state of TN just legalized paying NIL to high school student athletes as of yesterday and the best football player in the area has already signed a lucrative NIL deal with a local business.
The schools may actually have to start tapping into their billion-dollar endowment funds to pay for school improvements if they want to stay competitive in athletics and allow all the donor money to go to the players.
MB is fighting for control of something he can no longer control and keep UK competitive with the other SEC schools. He needs to get on board with NIL or get...........