Only Congress Can Save College Sports

[Delmar]

There is nothing wrong with college sports. Just a bunch of people that don't like change.


There is literally more parity in college football right now than at any point in the last like 30 years. Do you really want to go back to dynasties dominating the game? Was it fun watching Bama win 6 titles in 12 years? Or UGA going to the SEC Championship every year for like 10 years straight and winning back to back titles? Or watching yet another Clemson vs Bama championship game? Is that what you want to go back to?

I agree there is more parity. No question. There will be more upsets during the season as a result. However, I also believe that the teams with the biggest budgets (and the talent bought with those dollars) will ultimately win out. At the end, you’ll still see the same old, same old when it comes to the teams left standing.

 

[Voltopia]

I agree there is more parity. No question. There will be more upsets during the season as a result. However, I also believe that the teams with the biggest budgets (and the talent bought with those dollars) will ultimately win out. At the end, you’ll still see the same old, same old when it comes to the teams left standing.

I believe it will be even more consolidated than the "same old, same old," with an inner core of 6-ish programs that rule everything and who can only stumble due to mismanagement, rather than lack of resources. They might fall behind due to institutional or brand fatigue, but I'm skeptical. And some will counter that "that's how it is now," but I'm not convinced.

 

[S.C. OrangeMan]

Losing millions of viewers is not progress after making a change. This current anarchy is going to kill college football.

CFB isn't losing millions of viewers. 2024 was an all time record viewership year for CFB.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

I believe it will be even more consolidated than the "same old, same old," with an inner core of 6-ish programs that rule everything and who can only stumble due to mismanagement, rather than lack of resources. They might fall behind due to institutional or brand fatigue, but I'm skeptical. And some will counter that "that's how it is now," but I'm not convinced.

As DeerPark pointed out weeks ago, schools with massive alumni bases and massive markets have a distinct advantage in this new era.

A school like Texas with a huge alumni base, a lot of very rich boosters, and a big marketing draw have a big advantage over whatever Alabama used to pay players. There's no contest.

Marketed correctly, certain high enrollment, highly successful financially, and large market schools should easily dominate whichever athletic niche they choose to support.

Ohio State proved that even with a relatively mediocre head coach, enough money and enough brand goodwill can create a team which is extremely difficult to beat.

 

[hUTch2002]

I've been saying this for over a year. I know it's a bad situation for college sports to be in because Congress is not famous for fixing stuff, but they are the only ones, in this situation who can fix it. Here it is in the Federalist today:

Only Congress And The President Can Save College Sports

Saving college sports this time will require comprehensive federal legislation that touches some of the most complex areas of law.

thefederalist.com

Just based on the first 4 words in your title, we’re screwed.

 

[Voltopia]

As DeerPark pointed out weeks ago, schools with massive alumni bases and massive markets have a distinct advantage in this new era.

A school like Texas with a huge alumni base, a lot of very rich boosters, and a big marketing draw have a big advantage over whatever Alabama used to pay players. There's no contest.

Marketed correctly, certain high enrollment, highly successful financially, and large market schools should easily dominate whichever athletic niche they choose to support.

Ohio State proved that even with a relatively mediocre head coach, enough money and enough brand goodwill can create a team which is extremely difficult to beat.

Yes, exactly that. There will be an inner circle. It's just not dawning yet on the many of the fans of the other schools that they're not in the inner circle and don't have the resources to get there. Nor that they'll have to mortgage their houses and empty their bank accounts to even keep those other programs in sight. Not even to surpass. They'll never be surpassed. If a Texas or a Michigan wants someone, they will outspend everyone else. Like running a marathon against someone on a bicycle. All to pay eighteen year olds millions to play a sport supposedly about students representing schools in intercollegiate competition.

Somewhere in there, some of the people paying to prop this thing up will wake up. Some though are probably in it to the bitter end.

Also - before anyone gets all uppity about it - the house mortgaging statement was hyperbolic. I don't think fans will mortgage their houses to pay players. I don't think. Probably.

But hey, in a "we have to do whatever it takes to win" mindset, against schools with more alumni and more money, who knows ...

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

Yes, exactly that. There will be an inner circle. It's just not dawning yet on the many of the fans of the other schools that they're not in the inner circle and don't have the resources to get there. Nor that they'll have to mortgage their houses and empty their bank accounts to even keep those other programs in sight. Not even to surpass. They'll never be surpassed. If a Texas or a Michigan wants someone, they will outspend everyone else. Like running a marathon against someone on a bicycle. All to pay eighteen year olds millions to play a sport supposedly about students representing schools in intercollegiate competition.

Somewhere in there, some of the people paying to prop this thing up will wake up. Some though are probably in it to the bitter end.

Also - before anyone gets all uppity about it - the house mortgaging statement was hyperbolic. I don't think fans will mortgage their houses to pay players. I don't think. Probably.

But hey, in a "we have to do whatever it takes to win" mindset, against schools with more alumni and more money, who knows ...

For some like Phil Knight, it's just an obsession to see Oregon get a football Natty. It's his money and he could be throwing it at the Trailblazers or yacht racing or whatever, so knock yourself out Phil. Will it continue when he's gone? It depends entirely on his Will, I think.

For other schools like Texas, it's a very big school with a ton of successful alumni, a flagship state school, and has billionaires lining up to give money. That's a long-term problem for the SEC because if TX stops tripping over itself they are much wealthier and it is a football obsessed state.

Can UT stay in the circle? We were blessed with Danny White and Spyre being very quick out of the box with an organized and successful NIL program. We have a pretty rabid fan base, a flagship state school, and quite a bit of money coming in. As the money gets larger, I'm not sure UT and the state of TN can compete with TX or OH or MI or a huge school and brand like Notre Dame.

The era of "Jimmy's and Joe's" is giving away to teams who can pick up several simply unbelievable athletes like Jeremiah Smith who no regular Jimmy or Joe can begin to contain.

You've got to have not just one or two elite players but a group of elite players to compete and that's going to require a lot of money.

For example, TX had a $3M, sure fire starter for most teams, Arch Manning sitting most of the year. I know that was what Arch preferred but imagine having the kind of NIL money to let $3M just sit a couple of years and still make the CFP. We could've gotten some good college players with an extra $3M, I'm sure.

It's money. Big schools and big markets have it. They will choke out the "have not" schools unintentionally by just spending the resources they naturally have.

 

[Voltopia]

For some like Phil Knight, it's just an obsession to see Oregon get a football Natty. It's his money and he could be throwing it at the Trailblazers or yacht racing or whatever, so knock yourself out Phil. Will it continue when he's gone? It depends entirely on his Will, I think.

For other schools like Texas, it's a very big school with a ton of successful alumni, a flagship state school, and has billionaires lining up to give money. That's a long-term problem for the SEC because if TX stops tripping over itself they are much wealthier and it is a football obsessed state.

Can UT stay in the circle? We were blessed with Danny White and Spyre being very quick out of the box with an organized and successful NIL program. We have a pretty rabid fan base, a flagship state school, and quite a bit of money coming in. As the money gets larger, I'm not sure UT and the state of TN can compete with TX or OH or MI or a huge school and brand like Notre Dame.

The era of "Jimmy's and Joe's" is giving away to teams who can pick up several simply unbelievable athletes like Jeremiah Smith who no regular Jimmy or Joe can begin to contain.

You've got to have not just one or two elite players but a group of elite players to compete and that's going to require a lot of money.

For example, TX had a $3M, sure fire starter for most teams, Arch Manning sitting most of the year. I know that was what Arch preferred but imagine having the kind of NIL money to let $3M just sit a couple of years and still make the CFP. We could've gotten some good college players with an extra $3M, I'm sure.

It's money. Big schools and big markets have it. They will choke out the "have not" schools unintentionally by just spending the resources they naturally have.

I don't even think UT is in the inner circle now. The inner circle is Michigan, Ohio State, Texas, maybe Georgia and Oregon. Penn State sort of hovering at the edge. Outside of that, it's us, A&M, Florida, LSU, Alabama, Florida State, Clemson, Miami, etc. All in the second ring. All very wealthy, very passionate, but fewer alumni and less centimillionaire types.

That's not mean to slight Tennessee or our fans and their passion. UT just isn't fighting with the same tools those inner circle schools have. No one is.

Ironically, there's a few schools who, if they got their act together, could buy their way into the circle. Virginia is one. An incredible amount of alumni wealth in that school's toolkit. They just don't deign to play in that manner, or at least, they haven't appeared to do so. Also USC, but thankfully college football just isn't big news out there. Miami also has a ton of wealthy alumni, but for whatever reason their attention seems to wander. If the Hurricanes ever do get on track though - look out.

On the basketball side, good luck with Duke. They're also gifted with a number of wealthy alumni, and you only have to buy a handful of players in basketball to have a competitively dominant team. Of course, that's not quite as impactful also. Enough talent in basketball that you can't lock the market down with a dozen purchases. By it's very nature, there'll always be ways to work at the edges. So at least there's that.

 

[GUNTERSVOL]

Which already exists, CFB would use the same model as the NFL and since players will become employees they could keep school requirements in place or not.

Oh I see, what we need are some lawsuits requiring the NFL to take big portions of their money to supplement cross country, rowing, volleyball, and other sports. Maybe throw in a new Pro version of Title IX. Can’t wait for the WNFL!!!!

Or just sue to force them to take anybody out of HS so they can earn their fair share as a pro so there is no need for colleges to abandon the old model. Problem solved.

College should return to preparing folk for professional life in the real world. Do Wall Street interns get huge salaries ? Residents in hospitals? Supreme Court law clerks?

Create a separate employee based division and let them go at it and let D1,2,3 return to the old model without the cream. See who fills the stadium and draws TV ratings.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

I don't even think UT is in the inner circle now. The inner circle is Michigan, Ohio State, Texas, maybe Georgia and Oregon. Penn State sort of hovering at the edge. Outside of that, it's us, A&M, Florida, LSU, Alabama, Florida State, Clemson, Miami, etc. All in the second ring. All very wealthy, very passionate, but fewer alumni and less centimillionaire types.

That's not mean to slight Tennessee or our fans and their passion. UT just isn't fighting with the same tools those inner circle schools have. No one is.

Ironically, there's a few schools who, if they got their act together, could buy their way into the circle. Virginia is one. An incredible amount of alumni wealth in that school's toolkit. They just don't deign to play in that manner, or at least, they haven't appeared to do so. Also USC, but thankfully college football just isn't big news out there. Miami also has a ton of wealthy alumni, but for whatever reason their attention seems to wander. If the Hurricanes ever do get on track though - look out.

On the basketball side, good luck with Duke. They're also gifted with a number of wealthy alumni, and you only have to buy a handful of players in basketball to have a competitively dominant team. Of course, that's not quite as impactful also. Enough talent in basketball that you can't lock the market down with a dozen purchases. By it's very nature, there'll always be ways to work at the edges. So at least there's that.

We went to the playoffs this year. Some of that is Spyre and some of it is Heupel and staff. I think we're at the edge of the circle.

I'd throw Notre Dame in the circle. Yeah, they're always overrated but they've shed Kelly, have an enormous nationwide brand reach and a huge pool of alumni. I'm not a fan but they have the tools to win in the new era.

Virginia is just a good school on a whole bunch of levels. I think, just a gut feeling really, that the admins at UVA aren't okay with the direction of college athletics and might not actively hinder the athletic program but aren't going to push it forward either. UVA is founded by Thomas Jefferson and has historic traditions and significance WAY beyond athletics. They are, however, a highly politically connected school who could be useful in getting inroads in Washington DC, if they chose to help.

If aTm wasn't such a strange, little brother complex school in so many ways, they could do things. They're wealthy, they're huge, and they're kind of the alternative to the very un-Texas political nature of Austin and the University of Texas. They're the epitome of "more money than brains" when it comes to athletics.

It's an unpopular sentiment on Volnation but the big northern schools are huge, wealthy, and command much bigger markets than the SEC ever can. I loathe politics but there's a reason why MI, OH, PA and increasingly GA and NC (the ATL and Charlotte effects) are pivotal states. They're populous and wealthy.

UT needs some insanely wealthy alumni to stay in the state. I'd bet the Haslam money and focus is centered more in Cleveland Ohio than Knoxville since Pilot was sold. The family may reside in Knoxville quite a bit but I'll bet the focus is with the Browns, a new stadium, etc and UT is an afterthought.

We need money. I'm just not sure UT has enough access to big money to compete for very long in this environment.

 

[TennesseeTarheel]

Then the sport is as good as dead. Anything the government gets involved in is ruined in the end.

Oh, I don't know. Who knew that shrimp could perform on a treadmill?

 

[m1al]

The title of this thread is comical. Collectively, congress couldn’t "fix" a pot of boiling water if their lives depended on it.

 

[m1al]

As DeerPark pointed out weeks ago, schools with massive alumni bases and massive markets have a distinct advantage in this new era.

So you're saying nothing has changed....

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

So you're saying nothing has changed....

Being able to openly solicit money and deliver money is a big change.

While all successful schools have been paying athletes for decades, the open ability of NIL collectives to ask for money brings in people who'd not really want to be involved in under the table, old school method.

UT undoubtedly had a loose budget from some donors and alumni for paying players for some time but it's not likely it was the millions we've seen Spyre raise.

So yeah, that's different.

 

[Delmar]

Being able to openly solicit money and deliver money is a big change.

While all successful schools have been paying athletes for decades, the open ability of NIL collectives to ask for money brings in people who'd not really want to be involved in under the table, old school method.

UT undoubtedly had a loose budget from some donors and alumni for paying players for some time but it's not likely it was the millions we've seen Spyre raise.

So yeah, that's different.

No question. Certainly some cash, cars and maybe the random house deal was given to players and their families. But it certainly wasn’t millions of dollars for one player. That definitely is the change. That and unlimited transfers that allow the players to hold programs hostage for a bigger pay day. “Pay me more or I’m gone” is the new mantra.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

No question. Certainly some cash, cars and maybe the random house deal was given to players and their families. But it certainly wasn’t millions of dollars for one player. That definitely is the change. That and unlimited transfers that allow the players to hold programs hostage for a bigger pay day. “Pay me more or I’m gone” is the new mantra.

Yes, the no penalty and multiple transfer lawsuit was the thing that really the market value go nuts. As chaotic as it has made the sport, the NIL and transfer legal decision were correct legally.

People want to say the NCAA could've "headed this off" or "kept it out of court" by throwing athletes a bone of revenue sharing earlier or something but that would've just led to "why not more revenue sharing for athletes?" lawsuits and Antitrust is kryptonite for the NCAA.

There's no way they'd win a lawsuit (or will win in the future) that XXX dollars is a viable limit for revenue sharing. Why? Who negotiated that?

The NCAA is cooked. It can really only stand in the corner and collect March Madness money now and very little else.

 

[sami]

The title of this thread is comical. Collectively, congress couldn’t "fix" a pot of boiling water if their lives depended on it.

It's not only that they can't, it's that Congress isn't and never has been in the business of fixing problems. Congress uses alleged problems to create campaign issues, as getting reelected and continuing to feed at the public trough is the priority.

The private sector fixes problems, because they don't have unlimited taxpayer revenue and only gets paid if the problems are fixed.