Michigan NIL - Allocation, amount or both?
Question re: NIL. I keep reading about how Michigan has an NIL issue. But what I've never seen explained is whether Michigan is:
A) ALLOCATING NIL differently than other teams (e.g., more for established stars, less for recruits)
B) PROVIDING LESS NIL (indirectly, of course) than other teams (e.g., even if you include the NIL streams for the stars, Michigan's indirect 'payroll' is less than peer schools)
C) A combination of A + B
People sort of smush the two alternatives together to complain about the NIL, but to me they're very different - if the program thinks that it's getting more bang for its proverbial buck by compensating upperclassmen, then that's no different than deciding to spend more on a head coach v. coordinators. I assume they have a reason for trying their preferred approach, and it'll either work or it wont.
If the program isn't spending enough on all NIL (recruits + current players) compared to peer schools, that's a deeper problem with the long term competitiveness of the program. It's just underinvestment. Seems crazy to me, with Michigan's resources, that it wouldn't invest as much as peer schools.
(I recognize that NIL is technically not an investment by the university or the AD and is coming from boosters/local businesses, but I assume every dollar spent by those boosters on NIL is more a less a dollar-for-dollar reduction in some other funding to the university or the AD, so that's just a technicality; money is fungible.)
December 6th, 2022 at 12:07 PM ^
I think we just need a lot more NIL collection jars around the state.....
December 6th, 2022 at 12:07 PM ^
Interesting question OP and my guess would be "C", a combination of under allocation and less for recruits, more for established players.
But that does beg the question - is that the wrong approach? Much like the teams in pro football that "win the off season" with FA signings hardly ever succeed in the regular season did the recruiting super teams meet those expectations? In the final four we have two schools who aggressively pursued NIL in OSU & Georgia and two schools who really didnt.
So is our approach wrong? I'm not so sure that a roster of 5 star players who are highly compensated just to show up is the right answer.
December 6th, 2022 at 12:17 PM ^
If we are indeed compensating our existing roster handsomely and recruits much less so, then I believe this is the correct approach. The goal is to create a team that is greater than the sum of its parts and that's what the 2022 season is. Compensating current players far better than recruits is far better for team chemistry.
December 6th, 2022 at 1:38 PM ^
The problem with your analysis tj is that when people criticize M's approach to NIL they're not talking about the team that's currently in its 2nd straight cfp - they're talking about the ability to continue getting the JJ, Donovan & Will Johnsons of the future.
Do we want Michigan to continue being competitive with even dominant over osu? Of course!
But by 2024 Michigan needs to have worked out a way to compete in the off-season to do that!
And that includes adjusting admissions standards that drive off Xavier Worthy & many potential transfers. Not lowering them - adjusting them for more flexibility.
December 6th, 2022 at 2:04 PM ^
I don't follow recruiting that closely, but aren't we off to a really strong start with the 2024 class?
December 6th, 2022 at 2:18 PM ^
You act like this is a culture of immediacy. I am sure most good recruits will patiently wait for life changing compensation.
This college sport of football was just an archaic fad and all players should just go straight into the NFL since the current system adds nothing to their lives.
December 6th, 2022 at 2:25 PM ^
“Adjusting admission standards for more flexibility” but not lowering them. Am I to assume you want to raise the standards, then?
Sorry, but there’s no way to square that circle. And I disagree. If a young man can’t meet the university’s admission standards, he shouldn’t be attending the school. (And, yes, I’m aware that there are a few tricks that get played at the margins). Admitting someone who’s below the level where they could succeed academically is a huge disservice to that student.
Suppose they followed your advice and got more “flexible,” and then the prospect for whom they lowered the bar didn’t work out — maybe an injury; maybe he didn’t develop physically the way they expected; maybe he just discovered he didn’t like football. What now? Can you really expect this person to get a useful degree from Michigan after you’ve bent every rule to get him in place? Heck, many people do who meet the admission criteria fail to graduate. You’re basically stealing this recruit’s future for the sake of football success.
Michigan’s doing just fine with students who qualify, thanks.
December 6th, 2022 at 3:17 PM ^
J Red - number 1 & unavoidable, irrefutable problem with your take is they already admit players for athletics that would not be admitted otherwise. This is a fact of public record, not a debate.
So, now we've stipulated that there are different standards already in place, the next issue becomes how are the University and the student athlete best served?
In the case of Xavier Worthy, and agreeing every narrative is all hearsay, one story at the time was he had arrived in Ann Arbor and been assigned a dorm room, and subsequently was informed his test scores had been flagged, that there was to be an investigation.
He had many (likely far more lucrative offers from teams with no issues with tampering) and he said WTF & bolted.
Now, I ask you - who was best served by this? The U of M as an institution of higher learning? The football team? The Worthy family?
I'd argue the Worthy family in the short term, cuz he started getting paid probably before he touched down in Austin. And we all know that's not how Michigan has chosen to adapt to NIL in the early going.
But how did it benefit the U of M? And how would it potentially have harmed Worthy if they'd been more flexible in dealing with his admission?
And now extrapolate that to a half dozen players a year, who are 98% of the way to being as qualified as many other football & basketball student-athletes, but could use a hand in getting 100%, not a shove out the door! And same to the reticence to admit undergrad transfers.
Let's truly be transformational!
December 6th, 2022 at 2:33 PM ^
Very much agree with this and MGrow. What is the output/player performance value of a 5-star at 50% effort (or with the case of OSU 5-stars in their last game, <50% effort towards the end?) compared to a 4-star at max, full team buy in effort? Perhaps this closes some of the talent gap. Setting up an NIL platform that promotes on field performance seems like the right motivation to extract maximum potential out of your recruits, regardless of star rating.
December 6th, 2022 at 12:36 PM ^
The majority of the players contributing for Michigan and tcu were recruited before NIL came about.
December 6th, 2022 at 1:58 PM ^
Brady constantly reworked(s) his contract with the Patriots to make room for talent, the difference is said player knew he was joining the Patriots and it was Brady / Bellichek’s team. An Alabama, Georgia, maybe a Michigan could pull off pay to come because of very strong culture. Everyone else is playing with fire, see Miami, Texas A&M, tOSU(?).
December 6th, 2022 at 12:14 PM ^
If the intention of NIL is to make me care less and less about college football, it's having the desired effect. And yes, my disdain of the SEC and Free Shoes U stems from the issue of bagmen.
If football players switching teams due to money (not, you know, trying to win games) was in any way interesting, I'd just watch the NFL.
December 6th, 2022 at 12:37 PM ^
Right now, we have the worst of all worlds: Free-for-all NIL and the Portal.
Free Agency with no Salary Cap.
Everybody is trying to entice and steal everybody else's players. The NCAA is just a bystander, as always.
BTW, this is a game that Michigan could play very well if they wanted to. We are among the teams at the very top of the college football food chain, and we have a ton of money.
It seems like we are shuffling our feet waiting around for an NCAA rule change to this "madness", but I don't know if we are going to get it, or if it will be enforced if we do get it.
We can't wait too long to adapt to what actually is, not what we want.
December 6th, 2022 at 12:51 PM ^
Frankly, I'm happy Michigan isn't bothering with this. The team is 25-2 the past two years in the midst of this nonsense.
The idea Michigan players aren't being taken care of isn't one I easily accept. Not my issue, but I trust Harbaugh can find 25 guys a year who have the quality to play for Michigan, and so long as 10-15 of those guys pan out over a 4-5 year period, that in the end is all that matters.
December 6th, 2022 at 12:59 PM ^
This is a terrible take. We are in year 1 of NIL for all intents and purposes. What worked for Michigan in the past isn't working anymore (just see the 2023 class).
December 6th, 2022 at 1:14 PM ^
Then what exactly is the point of college football? The sport trades on tradition, mascots, gameday experience, uniforms, fight songs, getting a degree (and a job), etc.
If the only thing that matters now is money over all of those other things, well, then all those things in paragraph are items of fan manipulation. It's the NFL-lite, and not worth watching.
December 6th, 2022 at 2:24 PM ^
I don't disagree with you philsophically, I don't really see an endpoint to the near total professionalization of college sports (and nowhere else in the world, literally, are professional sports intertwined with university academics--just like college tuition I think there's too much power/money/power-players/broadcast-rights/etc at this level for it not to have a lot of exploitation/corruption--the NCAA compliance, ESPN-bias, and of course player mistreatment/grade-forgery, etc.--Harbaugh commented on this specifically--it's just, when you're talking about BILLIONS of dollars, you're always going to attract bad-actors and provide levers for corruption, and if the structures in place allow for that type of exploitation, will 99% of people may act ethically and pass on the exploitation, there will always be the 1% who are fine to exploit it--that's why we have a Bill of Rights, Consumer Protection, Class Action, Anti-Trust laws (which we're not enforcing lol)), however, and this is not just coincidental homerism, Harbaugh has always had these same reservations, his quote response to the question "How was Team #1__?", is as good as it gets. So I really think we have one of the best HC's to handle this ethically.
But all my reservations and philosophical disagreements aside, if the landscape is changing, you'd do best to change with it (although never forgetting your principles), and if that means embracing the NIL, then embrace the NIL.
Do it ethically, in a way you believe in, the best promotes and upholds your own standards and beliefs about what is good, true, and beautiful in this world. And while I'm certainly a luddite by today's standards--I think a lot of the modern world is very, very, VERY ugly, self-deceptive, and a-historical (and personally I would have argued against NIL in favor of some sort of standard payment, lifetime medical, stipend--similar to the military though not lifetime, etc.--I haven't thought about it too in-depth), but again, if everything is going towards the NIL being a powerful force, then you have to 100% embrace it and become the best at it, that's just the reality of College Football in 2022 and beyond.
December 6th, 2022 at 1:50 PM ^
I'm going to agree & still argue with your points there Commie -
Michigan does need to form a coherent, clear, competitive format to engage & secure future players with NIL. Michigan has chosen to adhere to vague, weak & unenforced ncaa guidelines in this first year of legal NIL. That will not work going forward, if for no other reason than how few other schools are doing the same.
But I will point out that the '23 class isn't done yet, and at this time last year multiple players who ended up in the '22 class had not committed yet.
So don't light the torches & sharpen the pitchforks just YET!
December 6th, 2022 at 12:50 PM ^
When it comes to billion dollar businesses, I also think that head coaches should get nearly 8 digits per year, & coordinators to get 7 digits. The players should get textbooks though. Can’t wait for the next game!
December 6th, 2022 at 12:52 PM ^
Not what I'm arguing. If this is truly professional and only about the money, then separate the teams from the universities. See who wants to watch the Washtenaw Wolverines play the Oletangy Buckeyes.
December 6th, 2022 at 12:29 PM ^
It's been pretty widely circulated that UM is a hard no on pay for play ( i.e. money to incoming freshman) and when 99% of the rest of the power5 will PFP then you get classes in the 20s despite massive on field success.
Maybe this can work because it creates a culture better than everyone else but that seems like a tough way to get sustained success.
December 6th, 2022 at 12:39 PM ^
If anyone can do it it's Jim Muthafuckin Harbaugh
December 6th, 2022 at 2:13 PM ^
I would think the opposite. The Michigan model is a sustained success model because it rewards people who are bought into the program vs. a school who might be able to buy the best recruiting class in any given year, but has limited value beyond that.
December 6th, 2022 at 12:34 PM ^
I was listening to the HUGE show. I know, I know....not a fan either but it was after the OSU game and I figured he'd have a bunch of Wolverine talk. He interviewed Chris Balas and they discussed some NIL things. I could have sworn that Balas said he "talked to people in the know" who had a goal of getting JJ $2 million for next year for NIL $. I was shocked, but it kind of goes with Harbaugh's theme of, "If you come here and are successful, you'll do just fine with NIL money."
December 6th, 2022 at 12:42 PM ^
We will spend $41 million for a new video scoreboard without blinking an eye, why not spend a few million on the athletes that put the highlights up on that board?
December 6th, 2022 at 1:13 PM ^
NIL is not paid by the school. Boosters need to put their money where their mouth is and participate in NIL collectives or buy NIL merchandise at MDen or if rich enough just offer a UM player or recruit a NIL deal related to their business.
December 7th, 2022 at 6:53 AM ^
Yes, I know that. But the schools play a large role in channeling NIL money. Looking at your, TA&M.
December 6th, 2022 at 1:20 PM ^
Its about following the rules even if the rule cannot be enforced. A lot of people speed and cheat on their taxes. No one will be aware other then you and your maker. UM does not speed nor cheat on taxes either.
December 6th, 2022 at 1:59 PM ^
Yes, in the world of NIL Michigan is like a golfer, abiding by the rules strictly & voluntarily.
Problem with that is we're not playing golf, where (nearly *cough* Patrick Reed *cough*) the entire field is doing the same. We're competing against osu, bama & uga - who see any rules the ncaa might create as impediments at most.
December 6th, 2022 at 1:27 PM ^
The replacement bulbs on the old scoreboard aren't being made anymore. That forced the AD's hand.
December 6th, 2022 at 12:46 PM ^
I miss Big Drew and Jim. Huge just sucks
December 6th, 2022 at 1:12 PM ^
That was also the goal for JJ this year assuming he became the starter like he ended up doing. So it's not encouraging that he didn't hit that goal, and is still only hoping to hit that goal for next year.
December 6th, 2022 at 1:10 PM ^
It's pretty simple and been covered a lot. UM will not even indirectly pay you to come here. They will talk to you about NIL opportunities, they will share some information about how much NIL $ broadly current players or position groups are earning. They will not say "If you enroll you will get $400k guaranteed as soon as you step foot on campus".
It is what it is, but I think the lack of guaranteed money is what is killing them. A lot of these players want to go to the league, but they also accept the reality that not everyone makes it there, and money earned in college is important.
I understand the culture they are trying to build, but the one thing I absolutely don't understand is why they have not put together a collective of large donors to provide a guaranteed salary to the players. For instance, if you play enough in a season to forfeit eligibility that year (IE 4 games or more) then you will get $100-125k/year guaranteed. That may not be a ton compared to some of the signing deals being offered, but I think it would be enough to get recruits on board.
December 6th, 2022 at 1:25 PM ^
If it was so simple, then it would be simple to answer this question:
Are the NIL payments to the Michigan football roster, in aggregate, more, less than, or the same as the aggregate payments to the Ohio State roster? Penn State? Notre Dame? Wisconsin? Texas?
If the answer is "no" to all four, then why? Even if you're not doing pay to play, why aren't you paying more to your upperclassmen to make up for it?
What I'm wondering is that the "we don't pay recruits to commit" is really a sleight-of-hand for "we're paying our players who are here less than peer schools".
December 6th, 2022 at 2:37 PM ^
I don't know if this is really how Michigan's NIL program works, but I think this makes a ton of sense as long term approach.
"Pay for performance" is a much much healthier way to build a program and sustain a roster than the "big guranteed signing bonus" approach.
Especially in a world where the transfer portal is becoming glorified free agency, building the emphasis or roster building is going to move a way from blockbuster recruiting classes that you hope to pay off 2-3 years down the line, and more on recruiting and retaining proven players out of the portal.
Why waste the bulk of your NIL dollars on recruiting a bunch of hit or miss kids still in high school - who might flame out or end up transfering before they ever contribute to the program?
As long as you can clearly show that the money for our key contributors is among tops in the country, I am prefectly fine with recruiting the types of players who are willing to bet on themselves.
December 6th, 2022 at 8:19 PM ^
Agree with this
We know UM can pay contributors as much as anyone in the country
Just wish there was more transparency so everyone knew how much $$$ they were getting
I trust they are showing recruits but who knows. Maybe there are screwing that up
December 6th, 2022 at 1:23 PM ^
I understand the frustration and you will just have to get used to it. Harbaugh (as others have noted) IS NOT on board with paying guys just to show up on campus. The culture that has been built here is around playing for your brothers, playing with toughness, showing up prepared and ready to attack each day with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind.
I honestly do not care if Michigan misses on some 5 start talent because Michigan doesn't want to guarantee 6 figures for not doing anything of substance. That, IMO, is going to attract ME players instead of WE players. Come here, prove you are a WE player and then get paid.
Not sure why there are so many fans seemingly upset by this. Let others play the money first game, Michigan can continue to build a team from the inside out and not the other way around.
December 6th, 2022 at 1:27 PM ^
But is he OK with paying guys who are getting snaps? And is he paying them more than other schools, with the money he saves by not paying guys just to show up on campus?
December 6th, 2022 at 1:34 PM ^
As I have come to understand it, he is more than fine with that. But I don't think Harbaugh is going to get into bidding wars with other school for our players. I don't have proof of that, but if Harbaugh doesn't want to pay guys to show up, I doubt gets into bidding wars against teams in the transfer portal. That doesn't strike me as his style.
December 6th, 2022 at 1:39 PM ^
That shouldn't be a problem, though: If Michigan's payroll is the same as other schools with similar football revenues, and they're allocating most of that money to established players, it should be really hard for other schools to beat what Michigan is paying (absent special scenarios like a Miami booster spending irrationally to build a competitive team)
December 6th, 2022 at 1:32 PM ^
I want to help out a local UM football player and his family via the NIL pathway. Mainly to assist in the cost of travel to see their son play.
How does one do this, i.e. earmark an amount for a specific player?
What is the best and legit way to do this?
Thanks
December 6th, 2022 at 3:03 PM ^
I’m not an expert and don’t have inside info but from what I’ve gathered over the last year or so listening to and reading a ton of content:
Schools like TAMU etc. one way or another whether through boosters, collectives etc. basically promise recruits money simply for coming here.
In contrast, it sounds like Michigan is not too fond of that, and instead wants to create and foster opportunities and avenues for players to make money while they are here, without promising it simply for attending.
I can’t speak to whether the earning opportunities here are comparable to other schools, but I’d think they would be given the popularity and prestige of our program.
December 6th, 2022 at 3:09 PM ^
In general I think there is a lot of misunderstanding about how NIL works…. Myself included. This is partly because the NCAA did a piss poor job of implementing it.
I keep seeing posts in here eluding to the “payroll” of a school. “How much is Michigan paying their players compared to x school?”. Is this actually how it works? I was under the impression that schools don’t pay the players but boosters and collectives etc. do- is that incorrect?
It would be nice to get like an in-depth explanation of what is and is not allowed with NIL.
December 6th, 2022 at 3:42 PM ^
Money is fungible. Booster Joe can donate $1 million to the AD; he can also pay five players $200K each to make an appearance at his business. The assumption (which is probably more or less correct) is that there's a finite number of dollars available from boosters and the university can either tell them to spend it on players or donate it to the AD for permitted direct uses by the university (nicer facilities, coach salaries, etc.)
December 6th, 2022 at 3:50 PM ^
Well, yes… but that’s not the point I was making/question I was asking. Athletic departments cannot directly compensate players- yes or no? Because the language being thrown around a lot certainly leads me to believe a lot of people are under the impression schools are directly paying players almost like a salary… which wasn’t my understanding (although my understanding could be wrong).
December 6th, 2022 at 4:22 PM ^
At other schools, the AD is giving booster orgs informal guidance on who, and how much, to pay.
December 6th, 2022 at 6:35 PM ^
In other words, no the ADs are not directly paying players. But, they are directing boosters to pay players certain amounts. So functionally, the ADs might as well be making direct payments.