BREAKING NEWS: Kennedy Blades to forgo final year of eligibility

[Tanner Lafever]

Announced less than an hour ago, Kennedy Blades will forgo her final year of eligibility at Iowa, instead electing to join Real American Freestyle (RAF) full-time while continue to train toward her Olympic pursuits:



I'll have a story written up by the end of the morning, but the departure of the two-time national champion obviously leaves a significant void to fill in next year's lineup.

 

[IndianaHawk98]

Announced less than an hour ago, Kennedy Blades will forgo her final year of eligibility at Iowa, instead electing to join Real American Freestyle (RAF) full-time while continue to train toward her Olympic pursuits:



I'll have a story written up by the end of the morning, but the departure of the two-time national champion obviously leaves a significant void to fill in next year's lineup.

Will she still be training in Iowa City? Or with the HWC?

 

[Slim45]

Will she still be training in Iowa City? Or with the HWC?

Read to the bottom of her post

 

[Praguehawk]

Dammit. Still pulling for her!

 

[Squatch96]

Puts a little bit of a dent on our title hopes for next year but glad she will be sticking around with HWC or IWWC

 

[A Fistful of Hawkeyes]

I'm so happy she's sticking around Iowa City and I hope that's where she stays forever, but this is a big gut punch to the program, especially announcing it this late.

And I'm also torn on the optics and rationale behind this decision because it looks almost fully financially motivated (which is fine, of course).

But damn, so far she's faced far tougher competition wrestling collegiately than she has at RAF. Plus makes me a bit worried if RAF will continually try to pouch collegiate athletes.

Regardless, I wish her the best and she's undoubtedly one of my favorites!

 

[IndianaHawk98]

Read to the bottom of her post

Appreciate it! Didn’t see that at first.

 

[sdvike]

Big loss for Hawks. Really wanted to see her get another one next year. Who are we even looking at for her weight, Polambo?

 

[Tanner Lafever]

Just published my story on the news:

Kennedy Blades to forgo final year of eligibility at Iowa - On3

Furthermore, I'll just add that this development did not come as some huge surprise to the Iowa staff.

This was a known possibility for some time now, and I'm told a (high-level) replacement is likely to join the program in Blades' spot at 160 pounds.

 

[Stick Kitty]

Just published my story on the news:

Kennedy Blades to forgo final year of eligibility at Iowa - On3

Furthermore, I'll just add that this development did not come as some huge surprise to the Iowa staff.

This was a known possibility for some time now, and I'm told a (high-level) replacement is likely to join the program in Blades' spot at 160 pounds.

Yeah some new girl who is really good at freestyle- Jordanne Williams

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

Why are we routinely not allowed to have nice things when it comes to fielding a team that could compete for a national championship?...............Horsesh**.

 

[Sunshinedynomite 1]

This stuff doesn't happen in men's wrestling.

 

[Squatch96]

Why are we routinely not allowed to have nice things when it comes to fielding a team that could compete for a national championship?...............Horsesh**.

It does seem sometimes we have some bad luck lol. But like Tanner said up above they probably new this was coming

 

[WhiteDog125]

This stuff doesn't happen in men's wrestling.

We get it, you’re a dinosaur that doesn’t like women’s wrestling and its impact on the overall benefit of the sport. Jeez

 

[Tanner Lafever]

This stuff doesn't happen in men's wrestling.

That’s because it’s a totally different landscape - be it the programs involved, the money not involved, and countless other factors that differentiate the two.

 

[IowaAnesthesia]

Great article! As far as talent in the portal, doesn’t seem there is much at 160 range but maybe they have another plan? I wonder if Jasmine Robinson is an option.

 

[Tanner Lafever]

Great article! As far as talent in the portal, doesn’t seem there is much at 160 range but maybe they have another plan? I wonder if Jasmine Robinson is an option.

As much as I can say about who they’re targeting is that it would be wise to look beyond the transfer portal…

 

[Squatch96]

Interesting not sure if theres a big recruit still uncommitted very well could be?. Or maybe a young lady who has eligibility left but has been focusing on Senior Level? Will be intersting to see what happens

 

[Tanner Lafever]

Interesting not sure if theres a big recruit still uncommitted very well could be?. Or maybe a young lady who has eligibility left but has been focusing on Senior Level? Will be intersting to see what happens

 

[IowaAnesthesia]

Amit is only 22

 

[Rick Honcho]

RAF pays college wrestlers such as Kennedy Blades well enough to cause them to walk away from their NIL and whatever divvy of revenue sharing?

 

[Tanner Lafever]

Amit is only 22

While I appreciate the ambition, that’s probably a bridge too far

But you’re headed in the right direction in terms of age/background.

 

[Tanner Lafever]

RAF pays college wrestlers such as Kennedy Blades well enough to cause them to walk away from their NIL and whatever divvy of revenue sharing?

Women’s wrestling isn’t receiving any revenue share percentage at Iowa. And as Iowa has been the only rev share school with a women’s wrestling program since its inception, that means no women’s wrestlers in the entire country are receiving a cut of rev share dollars.

Any NIL that they do make comes in the form of legitimate Name, Image & Likeness deals/partnerships - which quite a few of the Hawkeye women are a part of, albeit to varying degrees.

As for the RAF component, my understanding is this (and if others have heard differently, please let me know):

College athletes like Blades who have participated on RAF cards have more or less done so in an exhibition capacity - as a way to gain exposure for both themselves and for RAF to promote its new venture using popular athletes with a built-in following.

However, this new path for Blades would in essence involve a professional contract with RAF, and thus conflict with her collegiate eligibility - just as we’ve seen with athletes across other NCAA sports and various professional leagues.

 

[Corby2]

Women’s wrestling isn’t receiving any revenue share percentage at Iowa. And as Iowa has been the only rev share school with a women’s wrestling program since its inception, that means no women’s wrestlers in the entire country are receiving a cut of rev share dollars.

Any NIL that they do make comes in the form of legitimate Name, Image & Likeness deals/partnerships - which quite a few of the Hawkeye women are a part of, albeit to varying degrees.

As for the RAF component, my understanding is this (and if others have heard differently, please let me know):

College athletes like Blades who have participated on RAF cards have more or less done so in an exhibition capacity - as a way to gain exposure for both themselves and for RAF to promote its new venture using popular athletes with a built-in following.

However, this new path for Blades would in essence involve a professional contract with RAF, and thus conflict with her collegiate eligibility - just as we’ve seen with athletes across other NCAA sports and various professional leagues.

College athletes on RAF couldnt be paid for the events they wrestle in but they can be paid to promote events that's the loophole to pay them . All star classic has done similar things recently as well. Also that rule has recently changed and college and HS athletes CAN be paid to compete in the same sport as they participate in

 

[Squatch96]

Don't see it happening but it would be crazy if Bella mir came back she's a high level competitor and similar in age to Kennedy but dont see it happening

 

[IowaAnesthesia]

Tanner any insight when we will know the schedule? Wrestling schedule release is getting later and later seemingly.