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UConn’s Hurley says $14 million is minimum NIL budget to be ‘in contention’ in college basketball

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shu67

Senior
Jun 12, 2021
897
639
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Hurley gave his magic number in that regard in an interview with “The Field of 68.”



“Right now, if you want to be in the mix and have a chance to contend, I think anywhere, I would imagine to be a true contending – and people can undersell how much they’re going to end up spending,” Hurley told Rob Dauster and Jeff Goodman. “Everyone’s gotten players for cheaper. Obviously, the agents are going to say a number, the players are going to say a number.



“Staffs don’t want to look like we’re paying the max. But you’ve got to be spending, I’d imagine, somewhere north of $14 [million] if you want to be in contention to compete at the top of a big league or to try to play deep into the tournament.”
 
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Hall-O-Daze

Sophomore
Jan 8, 2020
97
149
33
Gotta think Hurley is about at the point where he will strongly consider the next viable offer down the NBA coaching turnpike.

I always thought college athletes - essentially those in major sports - should be well compensated for their contributions to their institution, but this has gone beyond insane.
 
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mdjpk3131

Redshirt
Feb 21, 2026
14
18
2
The pendulum has swung completely in the opposite direction to over compensate for all those years when players weren’t getting anything outside of a full ride scholarship. (Which is nothing to shake a stick at). It’s amazing how a full ride at any institution has become so insignificant. But I digress…Like many have been saying, there is nothing against players for profiting off NIL. The problem lies in that NIL has become pay for play. And the has created two separate leagues…the have’s and the have nots. The have’s will never experience rebuilding. They just reload. $14 million will always be there for them. The have not’s will see constant turnover in their roster every season. Gone are the days of developing talent and allowing the student body and alumni to get excited about new recruits.
 
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BrklynGrad

Sophomore
Feb 1, 2026
205
128
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Agree with Hall-O-Daze and mdjpk; also that Danny is correct.
So, what do we do.....?
a. Try almost beyond reality to join the $14 m club.
b. Spend $10 and hope for a play-in bid every 3-4 years.
c. Spend $8 and hope for seasons like this last one.
d. Seriously start considering off-ramp options.
 
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catholicman

Junior
Nov 19, 2007
228
351
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BrklynGrad said:
Agree with Hall-O-Daze and mdjpk; also that Danny is correct.
So, what do we do.....?
a. Try almost beyond reality to join the $14 m club.
b. Spend $10 and hope for a play-in bid every 3-4 years.
c. Spend $8 and hope for seasons like this last one.
d. Seriously start considering off-ramp options.
Click to expand...
Raid the endowment for 2 or 3 years to get us up to that spending level. Then try to maximize any success through new corporate sponsorships, aggressive marketing of sports merchandise and the brand, and fundraising that targets our wealthiest alumni, among others.
 
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PirateBlue08

PirateBlue08

Senior
Jul 25, 2025
770
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It’s a funny situation… those on top are complaining yet everyone keeps spending. I guess the money is there. Money talks. Teams will keep paying until the market determines what value really is.
 
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jack 1970

Junior
Feb 12, 2022
295
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43
Don't doubt Hurley's numbers.As a small Catholic school which thinks small and is always late I don't see any chance of us competing at this level.Unless things change dramatically ,can see us in the MAAC within 5 years and the Big East dissolving within that timeframe also.
 
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HallGuy2323

Senior
Jun 3, 2020
829
598
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jack 1970 said:
Don't doubt Hurley's numbers.As a small Catholic school which thinks small and is always late I don't see any chance of us competing at this level.Unless things change dramatically ,can see us in the MAAC within 5 years and the Big East dissolving within that timeframe also.
Click to expand...
5 years, no. But soon, yes. There’s no going back on players getting paid so I don’t see anything dramatically changing to help us.
 
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HallX2

Senior
Mar 25, 2005
2,667
865
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Hall-O-Daze said:
Gotta think Hurley is about at the point where he will strongly consider the next viable offer down the NBA coaching turnpike.

I always thought college athletes - essentially those in major sports - should be well compensated for their contributions to their institution, but this has gone beyond insane.
Click to expand...
He’d be smart to
 
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