Hire the right people whether that be GS or someone else if he doesn’t work and RU can compete too. Easier said than done but that’s what it is. Cincy has done it through multiple coaches and ADs, WF is doing a good job with one coach. Whatever the path, imo it’s possible. Heck IU would’ve made a 12 team playoff in the pandemic year.
Harsh reality about NIL
- Thread starter bori_blanco
- Start date
NIL was happening before and NIL, now it stands for now it’s legal.
We were not competing with any of the elites prior to NIL
I love the idea and I’ve donated to KTR and Geos foundation as well, and can’t wait to see what the future holds
I might be in the minority, but I am very excited and think this is long overdue
We were not competing with any of the elites prior to NIL
I love the idea and I’ve donated to KTR and Geos foundation as well, and can’t wait to see what the future holds
I might be in the minority, but I am very excited and think this is long overdue
By the way @Geo_Baker_1
I think more people need to read your Twitter thread that you referenced and linked earlier about Rutgers and Knight Society approach to NIL.
I LOVE the approach and view being taken. Essentially saying we’re not trying to be the school or collective that pays the most but instead to create a closer and stronger bond between the fans Alumni and student athletes to make the RU NIL proposition more about a super strong network and more of a family feel. I think that’s very achievable and a competitive advantage that we should aspire for vs being the highest bidder.
love it. Keep up the good work . Respect.
I think more people need to read your Twitter thread that you referenced and linked earlier about Rutgers and Knight Society approach to NIL.
I LOVE the approach and view being taken. Essentially saying we’re not trying to be the school or collective that pays the most but instead to create a closer and stronger bond between the fans Alumni and student athletes to make the RU NIL proposition more about a super strong network and more of a family feel. I think that’s very achievable and a competitive advantage that we should aspire for vs being the highest bidder.
love it. Keep up the good work . Respect.
Most other teams aren't in the Northeast, where due to population density, we have more other local teams, pro, college, etc, that we also root for... All of our athletic fan vicarious self-esteem eggs aren't in one basket, like in many more rural areas... When the day comes that New Jersey voters feel that Rutgers athletic superiority is the most important thing for their happiness and quality of life, and they routinely choose former RU players and coaches as their best qualified US Senate candidates, then I'll believe things are becoming more equal... (smile).
The only problem is that previously the elites were primarily elite based on success. Now we must compete against teams who are elite based on the financial support from their fan base and if you have been an RU fan for any length of time you know where we fall on that list. The gap has only become wider.
Didn't those teams become elite because of massive donations from their fans directly to the AD?
OSU and UM have been receiving the same conference payouts as Purdue and Northwestern, haven't they?
The "problem" (if you consider it one) isn't NIL.
It's direct institutional support of the broader athletic program.
As I've said - ban NIL. We are still tens of millions behind OSU/UM/PSU in annual revenue - are we not?
i.e. you really want to ban donations to the AD altogether.
Someone float that past AD Hobbs and get his response.
Agree. Happy Geo is here and answering candidly. But he made it seem like some sort of sweatshop and forced labor with no pay or benefits. I had nno scholarships or financial support from my family. I worked 30 plus hours per week during the semesters and 50 plus on breaks. I would have gladly traded to get free tuition room and board to stay on campus and play games that I love.
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Without alumni fan bases… there is is no billion dollar industry to begin with. When players start transferring for more money and concentrating talent onto fewer teams, fanbases will lose interest and losing will continue for have nots. There will be no way for most college players to get the opportunity to go to school for free or to showcase themselves to people that give a damn. Ultimately this will hurt most collegiate athletes.
You are correct but those massive donations could not (legally) be used to buy players. Now, even if those programs with massive donations were not elite performers, the fans can now funnel some of their massive donations to NIL. We are bringing a pea shooter to a gun fight.
Okay don’t know where you came up with the idea I want to ban donations to the AD.
Actually college hockey has been relatively stable after growing from the 70s through the 90s.
Rutgers doles out scholarships in hopes that all athletes will one day give money back to the school??? That sounds like a losing proposition if Rutgers thinks along those lines.
If that's the case, in essence, NIL will giveth opportunities for the upper echelon but taketh away (scholarship money) for a very large portion who are not good enough to garner NIL deals. This could lead to a net loss in the number of athletes who do not receive anything (NIL or scholarship). That would be a big back fire by NIL proponents who wanted to open the doors so that all athletes can prosper.
If explaining why athletes are worth more than a scholarship in a billion dollar business is describing a sweat shop then sure. I’ve said every time how grateful i am for a scholarship and my time at rutgers. It’s okay to be grateful while understanding there is room for improvement
I appreciate this! I feel like a lot of the people who came in bashing didn’t even read the thread
I think it’s very achievable and a great way to combat the big time donors at other schools
I think scholarships would go away for p5 only. Or maybe like an option to become an employee for the school and don’t attend school just represent the university or take a scholarship. Totally spit balling.
and i worded it wrong but schools offer scholarships to help provide to high achieving students but also because they want those students representing their brand. That’s why not everyone gets a scholarship. Rutgers being a good academic school and athletic school leads to more people wanting to attend. It’s a good investment.
Its definitely acknowledged. Forever grateful for rutgers. I’ll be a fan for life. Will try to help anyone who is an alumni with whatever connections I’ve made for life.
but if you’re on the inside of p5 football/basketball you’d understand better. It’s a literal job. There’s no other way to describe it. The automatic reaction is always yeah well free school. These coaches aren’t getting paid millions for no reason. They are going to get you in the easiest classes and easiest majors to make sure you are successful on the field/court. Everybody’s doing communications, labor studies, and Africana studies. It’s not by accident
Yes they chose the lifestyle and the sacrifice but they should be making some money along the way due to that. Big ten is adding schools from California soon. Let’s call it what it is: a professional sports business. You can’t keep calling kids student athletes and refuse to acknowledge the student side
Me too. I worked full time all 6 years I was at RU. Paid my own way because I had no help from my parents. Paid for my own housing and meals. I think these kids should be allowed to earn money outside of playing sports. Like camps, their own apparel, endorsements, etc. Just like I was paid for working at Bridgewater Commons. I understand that they bring value to the university. In that case, it's the university's job to pay them, not mine.
I feel like we are on the same page. It’s 100 percent not a fans “job” to pay student athletes. If you read through my Twitter post, the whole of idea of knight society is to create something so cool for rutgers fans that you’ll WANT to pay for the experience.
we are trying to create something valuable for everyone
I'm probably coming off as a get off my lawn type, but for me, I have zero interest in meeting/interacting with players, having them make an appearance or support my business. None. That does not mean I admire the talents of student athletes for their contributions at their respective sports, and I particularly like the athletes who do a lot for charity or otherwise are great ambassadors for Rutgers.
My position here is the same way I feel about actors and musicians in my favorite bands. I have little to no interest meeting them. I am happy enjoying their work. I don't want or need an autograph, a poster or a photo op.
A question is for guys like me, why do I give? Solely so Rutgers can stay competitive?
As schools refuse to play the NIL game and drop athletic programs and athletic scholarships, you will have helped remove the opportunity to get a free college education from thousands of poor kids who would have received scholarships absent NIL. You're not helping anyone but yourself.
There is no “extra”‘ experience that would make the athletic product more interesting or engaging for you? You wouldn’t want, for example, a Geo Baker to call your kid and wish them a happy birthday?
Wow - you just wrote my exact feelings. I go to games to watch football and tailgate - not to meet "stars".
Admittedly, the NCAA seems useless in many respects, but if you take away the NCAA and the schools that fund football programs, what do the players have left? I doubt many high schoolers would be drafted in the NFL given the gap in physical development and skills. My main point is players seem to forget that the only reason they have a platform to showcase their talent (and earn NIL) is because of the NCAA/colleges. But that seems to get completely lost in the debate.I appreciate this! I feel like a lot of the people who came in bashing didn’t even read the thread
I think it’s very achievable and a great way to combat the big time donors at other schools
My kids are adults. They never had an interest in sports or athletes. My oldest is a senior-went to the first game first year and not one after that. A lot of younger people are not into sports.
Exactly. For me and my wife, it's 6 dates in the fall with food, friends and frustration (when in the stadium). We enjoy spending time together going to the games.
I never felt we could compete long term with the elites under the old rules
Under the new rules, this at least gives me hope
My feelings also. I have no desire to meet or talk to any player, college or pro. Just don’t see the attraction. Same with movie stars, musicians, etc. I enjoy what they do but they’re just people.
It actually makes it worse. Before we couldn’t compete on the field. Now we also can’t compete at the cashier’s window.
I respect that. Im just wondering if there’s anything else that would “round out” the experience. There’s no exclusive thing you could have that would mean something to you?
The more times you come on here to say this isn’t going to make it any more true lol.
And I’m only helping myself? I started an entire company solely focused on helping others lol. I personally have not made a single cent from it.
For me, the fact that they are “just people” makes it very interesting. While some are just naturally endowed with great athleticism (they won the genetic lottery and don’t need to work super hard), I think the majority worked their asses off and sacrificed to get to where they are. And to understand that strife and that sacrifice is, to me, both inspiring and uplifting
Just a thought…To continue down the NIL path, maybe by becoming professional employees it could become a step in the right direction. In just about every employment agreement, other than being your own independent entrepreneur, are agreements signed by the employee. These include Non-Compete agreements, non-disclosure agreements, signing over the rights of anything the employee designs, develops, thinks about as an employee of the business, that the business has the rights to such intellectual properties. It may be an evolution to get there when treated like employees.
Here’s my separate thought on corralling businesses, etc. NYC is the mecca of the advertising world, Rutgers has a Communications College, wouldn’t professors in the college have colleagues in the industry, students graduating over many years that work in the industry … whether on the account management side or the creative side of advertising. I would think these connections would be ripe for getting dialogue within the industry to consider using / employing RU student athletes in place of other no name talent to be used in print, digital media, TV ads, etc. It might be difficult at first but it takes just placing one student athlete on say a Jersey Mike’s commercial to show it can be done. If it works for Jersey Mike’s then that recognition is seen by more potential players to commit… as well as representative back to other businesses that they can do the same thing with RU student athletes. We need our athletics and academics departments to collaborate with business connections. … or we need more Mr & Mrs Brown’s / business leaders that have the means to donate like they already do. We don’t have oil money donators here in NJ, we don’t have sneaker money here in NJ, manufacturing is not what it used to be. Pharma is big in NJ but we know that their ability to advertise is regulated. They can’t even put their company name on TV advertisements when airing an advertisement for a specific medicine. So they’re probably not going to get heavily involved … although I’d hope they could. Financial Industry is big w Wall St right here in NYC. Need to start breaking down the walls on those connections. How about getting the state involved, NJ Transit, NJ MVC, etc. They all do some level of advertising. Need to convince some of these agencies to use a likeness of an RU student athlete in print, etc vs a random person from some other talent agency
I think if there’s nothing extra of value to you then don’t spend money lol. I’m not spending money on something that i dont find valuable
knight society will be deeper than just NIL though. One day it’ll be engrained in the community where it just makes sense to be a member instead of the alternative. Long road ahead though
If the amount of NIL money you've made is > $0.00, you're helping yourself to the detriment of others.
I am absolutely in awe of what Geo has done in the NIL realm. My daughter was an NCAA athlete and looking back the private clinics she hosted in the summers were probably an NCAA violation, which is ridiculous. I am happy to support athletes knowing how much they sacrifice to represent their schools, beyond any other students. On the other hand, I think college football is the problem child and I truly believe that in 20 or 30 years, it will be a thing of the past. Between parents not allowing their kids to play, high schools disbanding teams due to lack of interest, serious injuries like the spinal cord injury to Eric LeGrand, and now NIL out of control, days are numbered. Then we can focus on true collegiate athletics like women's soccer (which I now support even more than football), lacrosse, softball, basketball and baseball. I have no problem supporting NIL for those sports. Football is a whole different story.
"Hey, you miserable dumb fans, you need to give me money."
I have read, and as I said in a previous post, I think I'm way more with you than against you. I think your goal is admirable. I just, unfortunately, think it's naive to believe it can happen in a way that makes college Athletics fair for all schools competing at the same level. It just won't ever be what you and I want it to be because the haves will never allow it to be. I commend your efforts and share your goal. I just don't think it's attainable.
I tend to agree that football could look very different in 20-30 years. It’s a sport entirely based around body collisions. At the youth level, the players are bigger, faster, stronger and injuries start piling up fast. Went to 8th grade football team last week and one of the players got rocked and had a nasty concussion. I later learned it was his fourth one and was in the hospital next day. As a guy that played football growing up including high school I never thought I would keep my son from playing and push him to other sports.
While that maybe be true it’s not worth paying for - at least not for me.
Why couldn't we compete on the field?
Because other schools received tens of millions from donors to spend that we didn't have.
Literally nothing has changed.
Having to keep HC Ash because we didn't have the funds to fire him early is a lot more costly than any potential loss due to "NIL".