Portal Jumping

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

No, the "sue the school" types will just drag everything back into the courts until they get what they want, which is just another NFL. Pro sports with employees. Anything else along the way is just another lawsuit to them.

Oddly, the Attorney General of the State of TN and we all recall the press releases of Plowman and Danny White concerning controlling Nico's recruitment...... are the suing type who went hard after the NCAA to ensure multiple transfers and little control over NIL.

I'm unsure which side UT is on. TN, almost assuredly at the request of UT, has joined all the major lawsuits against the NCAA.

 

[Voltopia]

Oddly, the Attorney General of the State of TN and we all recall the press releases of Plowman and Danny White concerning controlling Nico's recruitment...... are the suing type who went hard after the NCAA to ensure multiple transfers and little control over NIL.

I'm unsure which side UT is on. TN, almost assuredly at the request of UT, has joined all the major lawsuits against the NCAA.

Oh I don't know. I think the biggest fish in the pond are the ones who are the most destructive to the system as it was constructed. They seem to feel - rightly or wrongly - that they have the money and resources to "win" in an open environment. They're not afraid of a system with less rules, since they can afford to play by any rules out there. They're also the ones who've been the most resentful about being held back by rules that let smaller schools with less resources compete with them. I'm not surprised they're the ones blowing holes in things.

Of course, I also think they're taking a lot of things for granted with these actions, very very much for granted, but - cows, barns, open doors. They're clearly some of the ones driving this particular boat.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

Oh I don't know. I think the biggest fish in the pond are the ones who are the most destructive to the system as it was constructed. They seem to feel - rightly or wrongly - that they have the money and resources to "win" in an open environment. They're not afraid of a system with less rules, since they can afford to play by any rules out there. They're also the ones who've been the most resentful about being held back by rules that let smaller schools with less resources compete with them. I'm not surprised they're the ones blowing holes in things.

Of course, I also think they're taking a lot of things for granted with these actions, very very much for granted, but - cows, barns, open doors. They're clearly some of the ones driving this particular boat.

I saw this coming after the Alston v NCAA Supreme Court decision that brought us NIL. The NCAA made the exact same arguments in that case that the "tradition of college sports is that the players aren't compensated" and Justice Kavenaugh completely destroyed it:

"[n]owhere else in America can businesses get away with agreeing not to pay their workers a fair market rate on the theory that their product is defined by not paying their workers a fair market rate. . . . The NCAA is not above the law."

The mistakes were made decades before when the schools sued the NCAA to be able to make huge media rights deals and essentially turn college football and basketball into a business that paid the schools millions.

At that point, you have labor, the student athletes, not being paid in an extremely lucrative sports business. They blew it, we blew it, by wanting all the games to be on TV.

We were better off with our transistor radios and John Ward or our butts in Neyland or wherever we could travel.

 

[Voltopia]

I saw this coming after the Alston v NCAA Supreme Court decision that brought us NIL. The NCAA made the exact same arguments in that case that the "tradition of college sports is that the players aren't compensated" and Justice Kavenaugh completely destroyed it:

"[n]owhere else in America can businesses get away with agreeing not to pay their workers a fair market rate on the theory that their product is defined by not paying their workers a fair market rate. . . . The NCAA is not above the law."

The mistakes were made decades before when the schools sued the NCAA to be able to make huge media rights deals and essentially turn college football and basketball into a business that paid the schools millions.

At that point, you have labor, the student athletes, not being paid in an extremely lucrative sports business. They blew it, we blew it, by wanting all the games to be on TV.

We were better off with our transistor radios and John Ward or our butts in Neyland or wherever we could travel.

Yes, it was a good enough arrangement that created opportunities for many people - until it wasn't. Now the the schools are stuck operating in a system built for athletic scholarhips for students looking to attend colleges, but with sharks circling them and tearing off pieces almost daily now. Lawyers, players, coaches, everyone wants more and the Supreme Court basically said the schools have no rights in the matter. Well, aside from the choices that no one wants to make, that is.

I don't know if they blew it just by being on TV, but they definitely blew it when they began pursuing mega-TV deals, agreed. That's what changed the game.

It is ironic to know that most of the money - almost all in fact - goes back into the athletic programs, through facilities, coaches, trainers, travel, admin, etc. There's very little profit at the end of the day, and even the biggest don't realize much profit when all is said and done. But, it wasn't good enough. Everyone wants more now. Which is why at the end of the day I think the only rational outcome is to remove the pro sports from the college environment. Not that they'll ever do it. Just go right on supporting a hollow shell of a thing. People will keep on pretending it's the same as it's always been, for just as long as they can manage - and make money off it.

Funny thing about the radio though - I was okay with it. I liked listening on the radio. And I never needed or wanted all this glitz. Heck, even now, they could have just set up some cameras and run a cheap ol' in house stream and that would have been enough for me. I actually would far prefer a "in the stands" web experience over all this glossy ESPN barf anyway.

But there's more money to be grabbed than mine - or ours - sadly.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

Yes, it was a good enough arrangement that created opportunities for many people - until it wasn't. Now the the schools are stuck operating in a system built for athletic scholarhips for students looking to attend colleges, but with sharks circling them and tearing off pieces almost daily now. Lawyers, players, coaches, everyone wants more and the Supreme Court basically said the schools have no rights in the matter. Well, aside from the choices that no one wants to make, that is.

I don't know if they blew it just by being on TV, but they definitely blew it when they began pursuing mega-TV deals, agreed. That's what changed the game.

It is ironic to know that most of the money - almost all in fact - goes back into the athletic programs, through facilities, coaches, trainers, travel, admin, etc. There's very little profit at the end of the day, and even the biggest don't realize much profit when all is said and done. But, it wasn't good enough. Everyone wants more now. Which is why at the end of the day I think the only rational outcome is to remove the pro sports from the college environment. Not that they'll ever do it. Just go right on supporting a hollow shell of a thing. People will keep on pretending it's the same as it's always been, for just as long as they can manage - and make money off it.

Funny thing about the radio though - I was okay with it. I liked listening on the radio. And I never needed or wanted all this glitz. Heck, even now, they could have just set up some cameras and run a cheap ol' in house stream and that would have been enough for me. I actually would far prefer a "in the stands" web experience over all this glossy ESPN barf anyway.

But there's more money to be grabbed than mine - or ours - sadly.

I don't blame anyone for being a capitalist. The schools came up with a way to make money and made money. That they chose to spread that money to other sports was a very good choice for a university's mission.

Unfortunately, they also chose to pay coaches extremely well, to get boosters to pay players, to create massive stadiums, training facilities, etc which had nothing really to do with the mission of the university but a lot to do with marketing their money making machine.

Let's face it, in lots of southern states the highest paid state employee is a coach at a university. Something definitely is out of whack about that.

It grew until it became a parody of "just college guys playing football for a school."

 

[xpsyclonex2002]

Are the kids not signing a contract to perform for a certain amount of time? I saw the posts about the Sherman Antitrust. Over my head. but I know a lot of people work as contract employees for set periods of time. I don't feel like the issue is unsolvable. What about "noncompete clauses" for players trying to transfer to other SEC schools? Just spit balling here but the portal, as we all know, is out of control. This almost feels like kids picking teams to play backyard football. Every game you pick teams again and again. Seems like every year college teams are doing the same thing.

 

[jp1]

ABR

Always Be Recruiting.

Go Vols!

ABC

Always Be Crootin

 

[S.C. OrangeMan]

Are the kids not signing a contract to perform for a certain amount of time? I saw the posts about the Sherman Antitrust. Over my head. but I know a lot of people work as contract employees for set periods of time. I don't feel like the issue is unsolvable. What about "noncompete clauses" for players trying to transfer to other SEC schools? Just spit balling here but the portal, as we all know, is out of control. This almost feels like kids picking teams to play backyard football. Every game you pick teams again and again. Seems like every year college teams are doing the same thing.

The portal is not out of control.
The free market controls it.

Scholarships are for one season at a time.

NIL is t paid by the schools so the schools can't control it.

Why do you want to control other people for your own entertainment?

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

Are the kids not signing a contract to perform for a certain amount of time? I saw the posts about the Sherman Antitrust. Over my head. but I know a lot of people work as contract employees for set periods of time. I don't feel like the issue is unsolvable. What about "noncompete clauses" for players trying to transfer to other SEC schools? Just spit balling here but the portal, as we all know, is out of control. This almost feels like kids picking teams to play backyard football. Every game you pick teams again and again. Seems like every year college teams are doing the same thing.

They are not bound by employment contracts so "non compete" clauses won't work.

You seem to already feel they are actually employees of the school. They are not. If they were you'd see a player's unions, like the pros, and negotiation for revenue sharing instead of the NCAA "benevolently deciding" that $20M is the revenue sharing cap for schools.

The NCAA DOES NOT want the players considered employees because they'd be admiting that they aren't "student athletes" but "professional athletes." Pro athletes make a lot of money via negotiation when their leagues are signing billion dollar media deals.

 

[Rushin Orange Collusion]

ABC

Always Be Crootin

Put that coffee down!

 

[Coachmike17]

Meanwhile, Diego Pavia got his preliminary injunction against the NCAA and his lawyers put out this statement -

"While the Court’s ruling does not restrict where Diego can play next season, he loves Vanderbilt and Coach Lea,” Downton said in the statement. “So long as he receives an appropriate NIL package, I expect to see him in the black and gold for as long as he has eligibility remaining and Jerry Kill and Tim Beck are coaching in Nashville.”

Already putting the squeeze on the Dore donors. Anchor Down, amirite?

But even more telling is the court's ruling. Quoting from an article on the judgment -

In Wednesday’s ruling, the court shot down all of the NCAA’s arguments for its rules around eligibility. Such rules, the NCAA contends, preserve the character and uniqueness of college, create open opportunities for future athletes, and prevent age and experience disparities among athletes.

So a demonstrative statement against any eligibility restrictions. No more freshman, no nothing, just people you randomly bring in to play until they're tired of doing it. As I said earlier, washed up dudes in their 30s strapping in. Woo.

How stupid. How appropriately stupid.

Next rule to fall will be the age restriction before you can declare for the NFL. Whether it's an NCAA or NFL rule, if contested, it will fall.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

Next rule to fall will be the age restriction before you can declare for the NFL. Whether it's an NCAA or NFL rule, if contested, it will fall.

The NFL makes that rule and has an Antitrust Exemption which allows them lots of latitude in that. I doubt it falls.

The NCAA, however, will likely lose the ability to declare when eligibility ends, if the Pavia ruling is any indication.

 

[utvols74]

I'm not a huge fan of recent college football decisions, but...

.....just like in any organization or company, you must continuously recruit those whom you employ. People will leave for $1 more pay per hour in some instances. College football has joined the ranks of reality.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

I'm not a huge fan of recent college football decisions, but...

.....just like in any organization or company, you must continuously recruit those whom you employ. People will leave for $1 more pay per hour in some instances. College football has joined the ranks of reality.

This is where I'm at also. The myth of loyalty to the school burst really quickly once the portal and NIL appeared.

While it's unpleasant to think of, who knows WHAT Peyton or Reggie or Al Wilson might've done in the portal era. We've SAID they were completely loyal but honestly they had no other good options nor competing bids for their services. As soon as good players had good options, they've used them.

 

[S.C. OrangeMan]

I'm not a huge fan of recent college football decisions, but...

.....just like in any organization or company, you must continuously recruit those whom you employ. People will leave for $1 more pay per hour in some instances. College football has joined the ranks of reality.

Art (and sports) mirrors life. According to this Forbes report, 56% of full time American workers are looking for other jobs.

The Great Resignation Returns: 2025 Exodus

The Great Resignation is back. Explore why U.S. workers are quitting in 2025 and learn how businesses can adapt to retain top talent in a shifting workplace.

www.forbes.com

 

[bigorangepoppa]

Meanwhile, Diego Pavia got his preliminary injunction against the NCAA and his lawyers put out this statement -

"While the Court’s ruling does not restrict where Diego can play next season, he loves Vanderbilt and Coach Lea,” Downton said in the statement. “So long as he receives an appropriate NIL package, I expect to see him in the black and gold for as long as he has eligibility remaining and Jerry Kill and Tim Beck are coaching in Nashville.”

Already putting the squeeze on the Dore donors. Anchor Down, amirite?

But even more telling is the court's ruling. Quoting from an article on the judgment -

In Wednesday’s ruling, the court shot down all of the NCAA’s arguments for its rules around eligibility. Such rules, the NCAA contends, preserve the character and uniqueness of college, create open opportunities for future athletes, and prevent age and experience disparities among athletes.

So a demonstrative statement against any eligibility restrictions. No more freshman, no nothing, just people you randomly bring in to play until they're tired of doing it. As I said earlier, washed up dudes in their 30s strapping in. Woo.

How stupid. How appropriately stupid.

As I was reading the italicized part, it struck me that players wouldn't actually be restricted to 4 years of eligibility. Where in the world is this thing headed?

 

[Voltopia]

As I was reading the italicized part, it struck me that players wouldn't actually be restricted to 4 years of eligibility. Where in the world is this thing headed?

Toward something completely unrelated to the University of Tennessee as a school, and the experience of attending college as a student. And when it gets there, the question really has to be asked - what does any of it have to do with intercollegiate competition? Why even bother? And moreover, why should a single dollar of money from taxpaying Tennesseans go to support it? When it was about supporting student-athletes, I could at least comprehend it, but once you take the student part out completely, there's really no reason it should see a penny.

And frankly, I'm surprised by how many people seem to be okay with the idea of seeing some 34-year old paunchy lineman trot out there wearing a Tennessee uniform. I don't get it. I really really don't get it. It would farcical. But by every the reading of every successive judgment, that's where it's headed.

 

[S.C. OrangeMan]

As I was reading the italicized part, it struck me that players wouldn't actually be restricted to 4 years of eligibility. Where in the world is this thing headed?

Not so. Pavia still gets 5 years to play 4 years of NCAA ball. His non NCAA junior college doesn't count because the NCAA doesn't have jurisdiction over it. His lawyers had a good argument and they won it.

Once again, the NCAA loses in court. They must thrive on losing. They're doggone near perfect at it.

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

College football was better without the portal and NIL.

 

[S.C. OrangeMan]

College football was better without the portal and NIL.

Wrong. It's much better now. Much more interesting. If you can't keep up, just say so.

 

[LWSVOL]

I know a lot has been said about this, already. -- Just my 2-cents worth.....

This whole "transfer portal" thing is a mess! An entire team / program can be upended just from players transferring to another school....
It's hard enough recruiting without having to re-recruit and convince current players to stay with the team.

(Things are ever-changing, and my numbers may not be exact) but, just to compare a few SEC teams:
By my count Tennessee has 12 players in the transfer portal.
LSU: 16
Kentucky: 20
Oklahoma: 24
Miss State: 25
Arkansas: 27

They need to make it like it used to be, where you have to sit out a year if you transfer.
You don't even see this much moving around with free-agency in the NFL!

court case made that impossible. gave players the freedom to move as often as they desire. Just like normal working people.

 

[GUNTERSVOL]

In the end one HOPE is s that the NCAA will be forced to have the portal and NIL world and have a free fall division, but recognize that a return to the pure scholly model fits all D3, D2, and the majority of D1 athletes. Kids are free to pick their path. NOT one size fits all.

Not a fan of Congress messing with sports, but the overly woke courts may need to have them reduce their latitudes by changing or clarifying the enforceable laws. Back to pro vs amatuer rules in college football. Both need to exist with NIL division being the semi-pro solution. Will enough congressmen from the not so blessed majority of schools draw the REVISED lines?

 

[S.C. OrangeMan]

In the end one HOPE is s that the NCAA will be forced to have the portal and NIL world and have a free fall division, but recognize that a return to the pure scholly model fits all D3, D2, and the majority of D1 athletes. Kids are free to pick their path. NOT one size fits all.

Not a fan of Congress messing with sports, but the overly woke courts may need to have them reduce their latitudes by changing or clarifying the enforceable laws. Back to pro vs amatuer rules in college football. Both need to exist with NIL division being the semi-pro solution. Will enough congressmen from the not so blessed majority of schools draw the REVISED lines?

Woke courts? That's ludicrous. The courts that ruled against the NCAA in portal, NIL, and now eligibility are almost completely conservative. Their rulings support longstanding federal laws. The 1887 Interstate Commerce Act. The 1890 Sherman Antitrust Act. Those laws are pro competition - the polar opposite of woke.

I don't know where you hit the idea that pro business court decisions are "woke".

 

[GUNTERSVOL]

Woke courts? That's ludicrous. The courts that ruled against the NCAA in portal, NIL, and now eligibility are almost completely conservative. Their rulings support longstanding federal laws. The 1887 Interstate Commerce Act. The 1890 Sherman Antitrust Act. Those laws are pro competition - the polar opposite of woke.

I don't know where you hit the idea that pro business court decisions are "woke".

No problem with NIL or portal except for the timing. Walking away from season completing bowls and playoffs needs to end. If it is a pro model, then emulate the timing mechanisms of free agency and restrictions on tampering in NFL.

That is what I expect alums and reps of have less teams to push for early. If seasons include multiple terms, so should restrictions. Next game is not until next fall. If not why not mid season cuts by schools and mid season signings to the roster? Especially with all the Juci and other retreads out there. Injured reserve status to open up slots.

Maybe pull up the season a month or so to end regular season in early October to complete post season before qtr/semester end. Lots of potential LEGAL solutions in the pro model not available in the amateur model.

 

[fossilfiction]

The most realistic thing we can fix in college football right now is the transfer portal window. Honestly, I think it makes the most sense to open it during the summer and then close it for the rest of the year.

A summer window lines up perfectly with the academic calendar. Players could transfer, get into their new classes on time, and settle into their new teams without all the chaos. It gives them a chance to figure things out in the offseason instead of making rushed decisions that could mess with their future both on and off the field.

But these mid-season or mid-year transfers? They’re terrible for the sport. Teams end up scrambling to fill spots, coaches are left trying to rebuild chemistry halfway through the year, and it’s a mess for the players, too. Imagine switching schools in the middle of a semester, trying to catch up on classes, and adjusting to a new team all at once. It’s just not good for anyone.

If we had a summer-only transfer window, it would create more stability for everyone—teams, players, and even fans. Players would have time to really think through their options instead of making quick, emotional decisions mid-season. Teams could plan better, and the whole process would be a lot smoother.

At the end of the day, a summer transfer window feels like the right balance. Players still get the freedom to make changes if they need to, but it keeps the chaos in check and protects the integrity of the game. It just makes sense.