Because the writing was on the wall from the start. It all circles back to one question. Who pushed for Deloitte and why? Here’s a hint, it wasn’t the NCAA. Here’s another hint, it wasn’t the sugar daddy programs that lack national followings (SMU, Miami, etc.)
The blue blood programs always call the shots and an indefinite wild Wild West future for college football doesn’t suit their interests. OSU, ND, Alabama, etc. - how do they differentiate themselves best? It’s their rich history and national relevance that set them apart. Their have money, but that doesn’t mean they like the idea of having to pay 20 fold more to outbid Miami’s sugar daddies in order to remain on top. For the blue bloods, letting the chips fall as they will with an established cap that’s legit far better serves their interest. This has been the light at the end of the tunnel for us all along.
So long as the cap is real, Rutgers will likely be able to (eventually) compete relatively similarly to the way we did before NIL. Pay for play resources will be limited with everyone on the same playing field. The transfer market would naturally correct itself into more alignment with NIL’s original intent because that’s how legit 3rd party valuations would have to work. A NIL deal for a 2 year developmental player who breaks through the starting BB roster at Rutgers could be justified at Jersey Mikes. It will not be justifiable for a random Miami tire company or what have you. The blue bloods are the choice destinations and will continue to come out on top once again. But the sugar daddy teams that are otherwise irrelevant will fall back in their holes. That’s the goal of all this IMO.