If I hold up a sign that says, “Our players average $X in NIL agreements,” that’s not an offer. It’s simply stating a fact.
So you saying T A$M did nothing wrong?
I hope that’s true … but I think it’s different this time. Saban or more importantly Bama doesn’t have billionaire boosters like Texas, A$M, USC, Oregon and several other schools have … or at least none I know about. So, I really think Saban sees a problem looming for his program and for many, many others as well. The state of Alabama has the best high school recruiting class coming up in sometime. Yet, some recruiting “experts” are predicting Bama might only lock up 3 of the top 8 because of NIL. Saban knows Bama boosters can’t go dollar for dollar against the A$M’s and Texas’s of college football (both of which will be in his division) and he knows and has proven players win championships. So, I don’t think this is like the other issues he complained about then exploited. I think he really meant for his speech to wake up coaches at other programs, legislators around the nation, university Presidents that aren’t in Texas or on the West Coast and the fans who don’t yet see the dangers of NIL. Is that self serving on his part? You bet … but he’s paid to follow the rules and always keep Bama in the championship hunt. The NIL has very few enforceable rules … and more loopholes than a 50 year old fish net. Left as it is, the college football we knew and loved will not be recognizable in a few short years.
It doesn't have multiple billionaire boosters. There is at least one, though.
True but I do not think we have as many. May be just a perception but probably not. Just pulling it out of my backside but they may have 10 billionaire boosters to our 1. Whatever the number is Tx schools have more so who wins in that race? I believe Saban sees this and is trying to wake up the booster base but that is for some short term damage control while the work gets done to put some guard rails around NIL for the long term. I believe this is indeed threatening CNS's core differentiator that has served him well which is recruiting. His sales pitch has always been come to bama and you will win championships and create value for your self for the NFL. All are more true at Bama than other places before NIL. That will not be the case if he cannot keep getting more of them at Bama due to NIL. It is a real threat in my opinion that he can't do anything about in the coaching rooms, on the field or on the recruiting trail. He couldn't ignore it...
The allegations are that A&M boosters banded together to pay them to play at A&M and the school knew about it. They were promising dollar amounts prior to signing, not saying you too could make x.
I'm saying there are ways to offer incentives without making an offer of incentive. There are MANY loopholes in the NIL rule and programs will take advantage of them. Texas has a law. The NCAA has a rule.
Yes Alabama has plenty. Not even in the same ball park as Tex and Tex a&m though.
A&M can complain all they wish but I am glad Nick lite the flame. If Nick can't get instate players to commit without money then we have a big problem.
Hope he lit a fire under the boosters in the short term while the long term solution is figured out.
How can they fund new facilities as well as pay the NIL funds to the players? (we're talking only football but the others will be looking to get paid as well).
