The rift is pretty well known and Franklin was assured that NIL would not suffer from the stadium fund donation (fundraising). When support for the project was tepid in some areas, Kraft even asked Franklin to speak in support (which he did) Until June of 2025 as the new NIL rules approached (7/1) and there was no cash to sign the likes of Luke Wafle.
Your next to last sentence reflects my point. You may not get a 10 million donor to give an additional 3 million to the collective, but would PSU be in a better spot if that 10 million had been shared between a stadium project and the roster?
I've been ostracized for consistently insisting that if recruiting doesn't improve, I don't care who the coach is, PSU will continue to place 3rd (at best) or (5th) at worst I hope....in the conference.
The loyal experts have insisted that Campbell makes wine from water and that money is being horded for a lavish dive into the portal. This survey is evidence that PSU doesn't have funds to acquire premier talent in the portal.
I don't think it's coincidence or a change of heart that is behind the recent willingness to acknowledge Joe. I think it's a desperate attempt to bring back potential donors that were lost because of the way Joe was treated.