Now is the time for NIL
I see a lot of complaints about NIL. Now is the time to put your money to solving the problem. I am not a big donor but give $50 a month. Just think if roughly 50,000 season ticker holders each gave $50 a month each that would be $30 million a year. Don't have $50 to spare? How about $10 a month? Rather than waiting from Ross or some other rich Alumni, if all Michigan fans gave just a little it would make a big difference. I know this sounds like a Jerry Lewis telethon and does not solve the pay for play problem, but it sure would help with retention.
Here is where I give - https://www.championscircleuofm.com/support
January 2nd, 2024 at 5:00 PM ^
I don't think it's about NIL, it's about paying players before they step on campus. That's not likely to change soon
January 2nd, 2024 at 5:08 PM ^
January 2nd, 2024 at 5:23 PM ^
Just feel like a university who suspended their coach for a cheeseburger isn't likely to hand over cash to a recruit. Believe me, I wish they would.
January 2nd, 2024 at 5:26 PM ^
I think Harbaugh doesn't believe in pay for play. Meaning, he's not dropping a million dollars before you step on campus or spending 250K for your official visit. So the "problem," if you believe that is a problem, is Harbaugh and not some reluctance on the part of the university. I personally don't have a problem with NIL or revenue sharing with the players, but I also don't fault Harbaugh in this particular stance. A lot of these kids just don't workout, so why are you paying all this money for unproven talent? It's the exact same reason why the NFL pushed so hard to institute the rookie pay scale.
January 2nd, 2024 at 5:26 PM ^
I think Harbaugh doesn't believe in pay for play. Meaning, he's not dropping a million dollars before you step on campus or spending 250K for your official visit. So the "problem," if you believe that is a problem, is Harbaugh and not some reluctance on the part of the university. I personally don't have a problem with NIL or revenue sharing with the players, but I also don't fault Harbaugh in this particular stance. A lot of these kids just don't workout, so why are you paying all this money for unproven talent? It's the exact same reason why the NFL pushed so hard to institute the rookie pay scale.
January 2nd, 2024 at 5:38 PM ^
Harbaugh wants a certain type of player. He's built a culture. He wants a kid that wants to play for Michigan, not some kid who is looking for the immediate bag. They'll get their bag once they get to campus and put in some work.
A&M and Miami have went the other way and it hasn't worked out so well for them. I don't know if it's sustainable long term or not, but it's working now. I don't see the philosophy changing as long as Harbaugh is here either. I don't necessarily think it should either. You get one or two guys in there that are just about themselves, the whole dynamic inside the locker room can change. Call it a cancer if you will.
The TE that just entered the portal from Miami. He went there for the bag. I don't know if he regrets his decision or not, but I bet he has thought about it. Maybe the bag was big enough where results didn't matter. Each players situation is different. If I was 18 and being offered a bag, I'd have to consider it. No matter which team you rooted for as a kid. It's a business decision now. If 18 year old you had the option, I don't believe for a second that you wouldn't consider the upfront bag.
January 2nd, 2024 at 5:49 PM ^
Earning NIL after you arrive on campus is fine and legal and Michigan supports that. Promising NIL before a recruit commits is supposed to be against the rules, but all the schools down south do it and get away with it. This is what is ruining college sports today. It’s worse than what the LA Dodgers are doing today, because you can imagine MLB without salary caps.
Harbaugh has nothing to do with it. It’s a rule Michigan does not seem to want to break. The hope is that there is a fix before this gets worse.
One potential fix starts with paying players. Once you pay them you might be able to create a more fair playing field.
Michigan doesn’t offer NIL as an incentive probably because it’s the right thing to do. One other point of view is that if Michigan offers NIL as an inducement like everyone else, Michigan will be the only one to get caught. That always seems to be how things work.
There was an article, I believe in WaPo, that I read back in October where they interviewed a retired member of the NCAA enforcement committee. He said they cant catch the cheaters at the institutional level because they know how to cheat and not get caught. They can only catch the bad cheaters (or the ones that are trying not to cheat but make a mistake). BTW, I can’t track down that interview since signgate started. If someone finds it start a post.
January 2nd, 2024 at 5:59 PM ^
Trying not to cheat but made a mistake. Well said. Have a cheeseburger.
January 2nd, 2024 at 6:45 PM ^
Except in that case there is no way Harbaugh was 'trying to cheat'...I mean who the hell cheats by buying Cheeseburgers?
January 2nd, 2024 at 5:10 PM ^
If some of these player lawsuits keep getting traction then revenue sharing may happen and that would change NIL.
January 2nd, 2024 at 6:06 PM ^
I think it's clearly past time to broaden the working definition of what compensation for "Name, Image & Likeness" entails at Michigan.
Obviously there's enough of a market for these players that dozens of other power conference teams have already decided to compensate them for bringing their name, their image, their likeness, and their talent to their schools.
It really is just as simple as deciding to accept a broader definition of the term.
And like most Michigan fuddy-duddies, I'm not at all interested in getting in bidding wars for players. But there are many players who are listed by crootin sites as Michigan "leans" or Michigan "is in a small group leading for", that starting the NIL cash pipeline with a signing stimulus, sponsored by Valient Capital Management or such, makes sense.
January 2nd, 2024 at 9:28 PM ^
And it does not appear to be needed
January 2nd, 2024 at 5:01 PM ^
This should be stickied someplace.
January 2nd, 2024 at 5:04 PM ^
Any time is a good time for NIL.
DM for surprisingly affordable rates.
January 2nd, 2024 at 5:04 PM ^
College Football is no longer about playing for your school or who has the best program or team but who can spend the most money. Michigan is more prepared than most in the ability to spend money category.
January 2nd, 2024 at 5:05 PM ^
Upvoted
I've already increased my contribution last night and will bump again if Harbaugh is retained
Simple as I will support more when we do right things, less when we don't. We can't assume rich daddy is gonna do it for us.
Go Blue, Donate to support this incredible team that we all love, even if its only a dollar
January 2nd, 2024 at 5:07 PM ^
Sorry. Michigan has an endowment of almost $18 billion, has a $85 million contract with Nike, and receives over $58 million alone from its TV deal with the Big Ten Network.
Asking fans to bankroll player "salaries" through donations will never not sound ridiculous to this lifelong fan.
January 2nd, 2024 at 5:10 PM ^
I am confused.. are you supporting donating or not??
January 2nd, 2024 at 5:45 PM ^
He's saying that rules need to change because the school is loaded and should use it's own money to pay the players. OP is paying $50 a month to an NIL program and that amount wouldn't even get him in NRG Stadium next week.
January 2nd, 2024 at 5:15 PM ^
I agree with this 100%. I am in my upper 30s and work as a school teacher. Michigan football is my number one hobby passion. I listen to every MGoPodcast, Michigan Insider one, and occasional others. I visit the blog no fewer than 50 times per day. My classroom is decorated with Michigan stuff (I teach in the Columbus area). I wear something Michigan related at least three times per week.
No one can question my fandom but I will never donate my money to high school kids I’d like to attend Michigan. This is absolutely the wrong thing for us regular people to be spending our hard earned money on. Michigan makes enough from TV contracts and whatnot. It is on them and businesses to pay for NIL.
January 2nd, 2024 at 5:48 PM ^
That is the problem. The way the system is today The University of MICHIGAN CANNOT GIVE MONEY DIRECTLY TO PLAYERS. It is not NCAA legal or possible for them to do so.
Also NIL does not equal pay for play - i.e. an incentive to join one team over another. NIL at the University of Michigan is used to pay existing players and give them the option of staying in school vs jumping to the NFL ant the first chance they get.
I would prefer TV revenue sharing but it is not allowed. Does not matter how large the endowment is. If you want a good football team you need to support NIL.
Until they change the rules that is the way it will be. Wonder why we are the #1 team, have great coaches, a great culture yet have a recruiting ranking in the mid teens? We do not pay for play and our NIL may not be as great as other universities.
For me I want to be competitive football and NIL is the price of admission. At least for right now.
January 2nd, 2024 at 6:16 PM ^
Also donate $10 to X corporations donation drive. They made record profits this last year and the CEO makes $28 million in bonuses but your donation makes them looks good!
January 2nd, 2024 at 5:08 PM ^
Appreciate the link. I always looked at the NIL discussion on the board like most of my interactions around the office. People are quick to point out the problems just don't ask them to help fix it. /s
January 2nd, 2024 at 5:09 PM ^
I will take the pilgrimage to mecca/AA twice a year and support with game day attendance. NIL I cant bring myself to Venmo those funds.
January 2nd, 2024 at 5:15 PM ^
Personally I think the army of guys who do literally nothing but make millions of dollars off of bowl games should be the ones to take a hit and pay the players (the ones who actually do something to generate revenue).
For instance, five years ago this random person was making $1million a year to run the... Outback bowl. A million dollars. Wonder what the going rate is now.
https://nypost.com/2018/12/27/outback-bowl-honcho-makes-over-1m-a-year-running-just-one-game/
Edit: seems the salaries have mostly stayed ridiculous since COVID!
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2022/12/16/bowl-game-executives-paid-handsomely-covid-money-meltdown/10892410002/
January 2nd, 2024 at 5:50 PM ^
I agree to a point. I think the bowl games should pay players to induce them to play. However I am sure the NCAA would not allow that,
January 2nd, 2024 at 6:22 PM ^
"NCAA would not allow that"
They already said NIL is acceptable. You dont need to ask permission. The bowls are using their Name Image and Likeness for their game. Drawing views on tv for ads and in stadium for ticket sales.
Its the most NIL thing there is. The fuq is going on in this world where NIL means anything but NIL and real NIL absolutely is against the rules? Dont we have one GOT damn lawyer at our university that could put pressure on the NCAA?
P4P = acceptable
Real NIL = not acceptable
Some janky ass NCAA logic there.
January 2nd, 2024 at 5:28 PM ^
Us millennials don't work hard and spend all of our money on Starbucks and avacado toast, now you want us to donate money to a football team that makes millions!?!?!? That'll be the next reason we can't afford to buy a house
January 2nd, 2024 at 7:01 PM ^
Tell me more about these ovacados. Seriously though, I know someone who knows someone that got a Ph.D. in avocados.
January 2nd, 2024 at 5:47 PM ^
Last time I checked, I became an old man, so maybe this is me yelling at a cloud, but, WTAF?
Ticket prices, PSL's, an ungodly amount of tv commercials, streaming...when doesn't the fan already pay for all of this? The problem is the revenue does not get to the product - the PLAYERS
Meanwhile, we have Billion $ media deals, $200MM+ budgets, Deca-millionaire coaches that fail annually (and still get paid), Millionaire coordinators, and we all have to cough up an extra $50 a month?
This is why a reckoning is coming:
Premier League CFB - Best of the Best
Revenue Share
Player organization and compensation rationalization
It all sucks but is unavoidable, because next year you'll be asked to show your loyalty with an even bigger donation, and the year after, and so on.
It's your money so you are free to spend it however you wish, I cannot stomach the idea. And I can afford it.
Thank you for coming to my TED Talk.
Go Blue! Great f-ing win last night.
January 2nd, 2024 at 5:56 PM ^
I am old and retired. But until revenue sharing comes, which I hope it does soon it is either support the players with NIL or watch them leave.
I buy tickets, pay the PSL's and think the coaches and university spend like drunken sailors.
But NIL is what we have right now. So I personally feel spending a few dollars a year that goes to the players, who are essentially poorly paid employees, gives Michigan the best chance to compete in the current environment.
January 2nd, 2024 at 6:28 PM ^
The school would cut the check if NIL was real.
-Their NAME IMAGE and LIKENESS is used in our games so we will pay them accordingly.
If we cut the check that is pay to play.
-Meaning we (fans) throw out money to keep them at our school. We PAY them to PLAY for us. We arent paying them for their Name Image or Likeness in any way shape or form.
January 2nd, 2024 at 5:47 PM ^
Last time I checked, I became an old man, so maybe this is me yelling at a cloud, but, WTAF?
Ticket prices, PSL's, an ungodly amount of tv commercials, streaming...when doesn't the fan already pay for all of this? The problem is the revenue does not get to the product - the PLAYERS
Meanwhile, we have Billion $ media deals, $200MM+ budgets, Deca-millionaire coaches that fail annually (and still get paid), Millionaire coordinators, and we all have to cough up an extra $50 a month?
This is why a reckoning is coming:
Premier League CFB - Best of the Best
Revenue Share
Player organization and compensation rationalization
It all sucks but is unavoidable, because next year you'll be asked to show your loyalty with an even bigger donation, and the year after, and so on.
It's your money so you are free to spend it however you wish, I cannot stomach the idea. And I can afford it.
Thank you for coming to my TED Talk.
Go Blue! Great f-ing win last night.
January 2nd, 2024 at 5:49 PM ^
I’ll pass. I pay for 3 season tickets, concessions, apparel, etc. That’s more than enough on my part.
January 2nd, 2024 at 6:04 PM ^
And how much of that gets to the talent you cheer for? Zero unless you buy apparel that gives a small portion to the players. Personally I would rather give $50 directly to the players than buy a $50 jersey where the player gets $10.
I get everyone has a choice and a budget. But it is the players that deliver the enjoyment I receive from watching the games. None of what I spend on tickets, hot dogs, apparel, PSL gets to the players beyond tuition and room and board.
January 2nd, 2024 at 6:16 PM ^
Yes, it is an arms race.
January 2nd, 2024 at 6:35 PM ^
I am all about paying the players. Crowd-sourcing this and asking die-hard fans to do 'more' is a little off-putting. Do what you want with your money. Link the collective. There are other funds sitckied here. It may not have the best visibility, but people that want to contribute can seek it out on their own.
Win on Monday! Enjoy that talent isn't going to 3-4 schools every single year! Embrace the culture we've established! GO BLUE!
January 2nd, 2024 at 6:31 PM ^
My stance in other threads lately has been “let’s see how it goes against Bama”. I wanted to see if we could win against the SEC talent pool. Georgia and Bama are basically NFL farm leagues. Michigan slayed that dragon! I’m no longer worried about NIL as long as we have this type of staff here.
Look at the two playing for the national championship this year: since 2018, Michigan has a 22,8,12,13,12,20 ranked class for an avg of 14.5. Portal for last 3 years 39,56,17
Washington has 16,15,18,26,29,59 for an avg of 27.16. Portal for last 3 years 24,34, 46
Neither team is a recruiting juggernaut but they have their own good coaching, unique styles and team chemistry that has allowed them to get to this point. We could improve our NIL for the existing players as we have seen from Hunter in basketball and what Roman Wilson recently said but that’s no longer a major concern of mine.
January 2nd, 2024 at 6:40 PM ^
No kidding. It’s embarrassing that the week of the Rose Bowl that Roman Wilson is talking about how our NIL game pales in comparison to our peers. How is that remotely the leaders and best? Time for the program and it’s major donors to step up and at least be competitive.
January 2nd, 2024 at 6:51 PM ^
People can give all they want and that’s great, but the bottom line is that Michigan is NOT going to institute pay for play, and that’s what a lot of top flight “difference-maker” recruits are going to be looking for.
Until that happens, which I wouldn’t count on Michigan doing anytime soon, I doubt we see much fundamental change on the recruiting trail. Winning next week will definitely help, but even if they win I doubt we see five stars lining up to play here.
Top recruits are going to typically want to go somewhere where they will get paid upfront, because they know if they perform on the field, they’re going to be getting the kinds of deals Michigan would be offering them anyway.
Can’t really say I blame them. A lot of these recruits are good kids, but if you told me School A is asking me to bet on myself and hope for money later if I perform, and that School B is paying me 500k right now if I sign, and will be offering me more opportunities if I perform on the field, I’d be hard pressed to turn down School B.
January 2nd, 2024 at 10:34 PM ^
Why would we do this? So you can abuse the kids and have them revolt against the dumb corporate fascists until they get fed up and take it on themselves to beat Ohio?
Nah... 5 stars that want to win and bet on themselves will come here. Others will go elsewhere and half of those will transfer of any number of things don't break their way... keep the mantra about the team and keep winning. Transfer portal can plug holes and we've done well there. Don't mess too much with this or you end up like TAMU.
January 2nd, 2024 at 7:24 PM ^
Call me crazy, but the school who makes money off them - can pay them.
Asking fans to contribute to NIL is like having your employees participate in a “buy Christmas presents for a colleague” program because corporate wont pay them more, despite posting record earnings.
January 2nd, 2024 at 8:08 PM ^
Well... our coach was essentially crucified this season for suggesting players get a stake in the revenue. If you don't want to participate that's fine, but for the time being that rationale is a non-starter.
One option is instead of buying officially licensed school paraphernalia, buy products offered by the players themselves. I know Will Johnson has some offerings.
January 2nd, 2024 at 7:36 PM ^
Average joes and jimmy’s aren’t going to impact NIL. It’s the Stephen Ross class that matter
January 2nd, 2024 at 8:03 PM ^
Thanks for posting. Since we didn't attend any post-season games this year this might be a good alternative to show support.
January 2nd, 2024 at 8:19 PM ^
NIL isn't screwing Michigan, it's the lack of promised money before they even step on campus that is. That's not changing.
Even still, when all these came out I called what would happen and that was that very little money would come through. When fans talk about the "Michigan Money Cannon" they mean other people's money. They opened up those NIL initiatives for fans to give and it only hit about $15K in the first month. Why? Other people's money. They mean guys like Ross and the many other very wealthy alums, not the person making under $100K a year be they an alum or not.
Which is unfortunate because if we all did give as little as $10 a month it would add up. UM is a massive fanbase but all fans of all teams want NIL to come from the uppermost levels of wealth, not them.
January 2nd, 2024 at 8:29 PM ^
This!
January 2nd, 2024 at 8:28 PM ^
Look at the disadvantages of illegal recruiting through bags of upfront cash. There are so many programs out there who direct their boosters to pay for recruiting visits and big dollar upfront signing payments. They end up getting all the 5* players they can fit on a roster and then these players end up less motivated than every other 3 and 4-star player out there who works his ass off to show their skills and ability to play at the next level.
What would you do if you were an 18-year old freshman with a $100K plus in untaxable spending money? Probably get into a lot of trouble, develop a bad work ethic, and look to the transfer portal for your next big pay day. It is only the beginning, but you will see a lot more 5-star recruits who end up being busts and the sleazebags who paid them will regret their giving the upfront piles of cash to these kids. I wonder if anyone is tracking how many of the top 300 recruits ever actually receive a college degree and how this statistic is trending? I guess that would be the job of the NCAA but obviously they have higher priorities than what is included in their organizational mission statement!
January 2nd, 2024 at 9:21 PM ^
Unfortunately, NIL is going to be terrible and hurt us for the next two years. I spoke to someone who attended an informational meeting on NIL. Seems like the portal may be brutal for us on Tuesday (1/9). Our players are being offered an obscene amount of money to transfer. I’m hoping our culture and love for Michigan will keep more than we lose. It should even out in two years once the lawsuits get settled and there’s some kind of balance in football. College football is a mess!
Fortunately, we have had the best run over the last 3 years and we have much to celebrate! One more game to go.
GO BLUE!