Transfer Portal is a disaster

[sami]

They are forgetting about the fan and the fans are already starting to leave!

Many 'traditional' fans like us might be leaving, but the powers that be in big time pro and college sports have taken us for granted forever because they know we'll always be there, or so they thought. Now, they don't give a damn.

Not sure you've noticed, but sports marketing has been directed at a completely different type of fan - young, upwardly mobile, with a lot of discretionary cash to spend. As soon as sports gambling was made legal, the entire game changed. Now, every other ad is about a betting site, networks run betting info along the bottom of the screen for in-game gambling, point spreads with 'experts' providing betting tips are part of every pregame show and during the week, networks have their own sports books, and even stadiums have integrated this info on their jumbo screens. The 'new' fan doesn't have any team allegiance other than their fantasy team, but still follows players and buys merchandise.

CFB and CBB aren't going anywhere, but the reasons we all loved it and followed it - traditional rivalries, 'legacy' recruits, VFL's, etc. - are quickly disappearing, and in a short time there will be little difference with the NFL and NBA. And there are many on here who are just fine with that, and will tell us to go yell at clouds. So be it.

 

[sami]

Agree, I would like to see a change of 1 transfer with immediate eligibility and any transfer after that they have to sit a year.

And to add to that, do away with the current NIL system and go to revenue sharing for all student athletes - go ahead and make them employees, etc. This will also cut down on transfers because players won’t be swayed by a NIL deal to transfer because the money won’t be much different in revenue sharing from school to school

Some sort of revenue sharing and player unions are coming, probably sooner than later. Agree, it should reduce the amount of transfers. The way it is now is completely unsustainable.

 

[sami]

My comment was that it is a choice. A person can choose to not attend college. They can choose to play football or not. All of it is a choice.

With the choice comes a commitment. This system is not teaching the players about commitment. It is teaching them greed. At some point the fact that one has worked everywhere there is to work leads to that person being unemployable. I've seen that happen with family members. It then takes time for employers to believe you are worth their time to hire.

Very true, and if you think about it NFL GM's might be reluctant to draft a multi-transfer player, fearing that lack of commitment will continue in the NFL as the kid keeps looking for those 'greener pastures'. If players begin to get drafted lower than they should based on talent for this reason, it might change the way kids think about transfers and force them to commit to a program. We can only hope.

 

[DooleyOrangePants]

I just want to add this has been a great debate and discussion on this topic. Lots of things to consider and there’s a lot of good points being made on both sides.

I’m all for there being a portal and NIL, just think it’s a little out of control and the Wild West right now. Sure, markets usually settle down but I think we can all agree that some of the repercussions of this going totally out of control could be detrimental to the University we love and the sports we enjoy so much.

 

[OneManGang]

It doesn't take a genius to foresee three MASSIVE scandals brewing on the horizon for college football.

1) Per this thread, the portal is an absolute mess. At some point, if not already, people are going to start paying players TO transfer out, not just after they do so. A glance at the Michigan sign-stealing mess is illustrative. They were literally willing to do anything to pave their way to the playoffs - AND IT WORKED! Now just take it a small step further: School A is playing in the playoffs and has an AA running back who is the centerpiece of their offense. School B, their playoff opponent, takes note of this and a well-heeled backer approaches said star and makes him an offer he can't refuse to hit the portal. By the way, there is circumstantial proof that Connor Stallions' actions were under the imprimatur of the gambling sites: he is not floating in Lake Michigan.

2) Then there are those gambling sites. The amount being bet on the Championship Game beggars imagination. That kind of money just breeds corruption like over-sexed rabbits. Again, it doesn't take a genius to see the fine hand of the Mob behind them. The Mob went legit years ago when they figured out that by investing the income from their various shady activities they could reap $billions in profits. Let's face it, the people running these things didn't get there by rescuing kittens from trees and building free clinics in poor neighborhoods. The very fact that there are "official" betting sites of the NCAA should give us all pause.

3) Finally, there is the whole NIL mess. Giving teenagers who've never had much more than money for a cola $millions to play a game is absolute lunacy. Grifters and thieves are thicker than flies on a dead moose around those kids. The first time some kid who made $millions off NIL turns up in bankruptcy court or on food stamps will bring truckloads of bad publicity on the NCAA, the conferences, and the schools. WHY they wound up victimized by these types will be the very definition of "lack of institutional control."

 

[Sudden Impact]

For those of you who think the TP and NIL is a great idea, let’s discuss how crappy it’s become in just 2.5 years. We have gone from players wanting some money shares for jersey sales and player cards signings for money to pay for play and basically uncontrolled free agency! Bowl season was laughable with players opting out during the game. Starting QBs for new years six games transferring out. Now Quinshon from Mississippi has left and he’s leaving what I feel a very real contender for the Natty next year.

If we don’t get some sort of overseeing body on this soon, college football will not survive!

Thoughts?

But....But....But We do have an Organization providing Oversight which can't oversee anything and has made the matter worse. Caps, Restrictions, Number of Transfers limited and no extensions. That may work but people complain no matter what and the NCAA is ball less. So it is the same ole, same ole crap and the only difference is the numbers of players transferring and now the $$$$ is out in the open.
The Wild Wild West of NIL.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

It doesn't take a genius to foresee three MASSIVE scandals brewing on the horizon for college football.

1) Per this thread, the portal is an absolute mess. At some point, if not already, people are going to start paying players TO transfer out, not just after they do so. A glance at the Michigan sign-stealing mess is illustrative. They were literally willing to do anything to pave their way to the playoffs - AND IT WORKED! Now just take it a small step further: School A is playing in the playoffs and has an AA running back who is the centerpiece of their offense. School B, their playoff opponent, takes note of this and a well-heeled backer approaches said star and makes him an offer he can't refuse to hit the portal. By the way, there is circumstantial proof that Connor Stallions' actions were under the imprimatur of the gambling sites: he is not floating in Lake Michigan.

2) Then there are those gambling sites. The amount being bet on the Championship Game beggars imagination. That kind of money just breeds corruption like over-sexed rabbits. Again, it doesn't take a genius to see the fine hand of the Mob behind them. The Mob went legit years ago when they figured out that by investing the income from their various shady activities they could reap $billions in profits. Let's face it, the people running these things didn't get there by rescuing kittens from trees and building free clinics in poor neighborhoods. The very fact that there are "official" betting sites of the NCAA should give us all pause.

3) Finally, there is the whole NIL mess. Giving teenagers who've never had much more than money for a cola $millions to play a game is absolute lunacy. Grifters and thieves are thicker than flies on a dead moose around those kids. The first time some kid who made $millions off NIL turns up in bankruptcy court or on food stamps will bring truckloads of bad publicity on the NCAA, the conferences, and the schools. WHY they wound up victimized by these types will be the very definition of "lack of institutional control."

Totally agree about the cutthroat nature of what college sports has become. NIL and the portal aren't the root, they're just another symptom like the crap at MI.

The mob is probably already "on it" when it comes to making money shaving points, etc.

What looks like a few "bad snaps" that have been going on all year periodically and highly skilled, big offensive linemen getting stood up and bent back like high school kids on a crucial play could be spun into a conspiracy theory. Thinking the mob isn't trying to make money skewing games is like thinking a politician isn't lying to you: they have, they do, and they will.

I'll disagree that NIL will bite schools with an "institutional control" issue. It's hard to sue an employer (NIL IS an employee-employer situation) because an employee does stupid things with their pay. The NCAA may try to "encourage" schools to "do better" in offering NIL advice, but "institutional control" issues isn't a legal crime. It's something the NCAA made up.

 

[volfan102455]

Where's the commitment when a player gets recruited over and asked to leave?

I don't know what the conversation that happens when a player leaves consists of. Some assume they are "asked to leave". Is it that or the player realizing they are going to be riding the bench and decide they want to move on to another place where their skill set may be useable? Or maybe there are issues with the success on the educational side.

Being recruited over is a life lesson. When one is called upon to perform, if one doesn't perform whether football, flipping burgers, selling insurance, etc. someone else who can do whatever it is, will take your place.

None of these players are guaranteed playing time. That is earned. They come to college and they find themself a small fish in a larger pond and that extends to both the education and athletic side. Some were not prepared. Thus they struggle or they fail. Some just don't have what it takes to be successful at the next level. One can either (1) do those things that make them better and stay where they are (tough it out) with the realization they are not the biggest fish in the new pond and that they may have to temper their goals to match their abilities or (2) look objectively at their ability and search out another place where there is hope for them to succeed.

This above is what the transfer portal should be about and allow for - but it has turned into a bidding war for players instead.

 

[Seattle Hillbilly]

For those of us that loved the game as it was, it’s a disaster. Let’s look at the situation as it stands.

Many have said the NCAA needs to do something, set limits, do away with transfers. The NIL situation is where it is today because the NCAA was stubborn and overreaching. If they had allowed for reasonable stipends that were more commiserate with a players worth, we might not be in this mess.

The court case that began this is now the law of the land and there’s only one solution and absolutely no one wants to go there.

No one can set a persons value in the marketplace. That’s how the free enterprise system works and that ship left the dock when the court ruled.

Currently, there is another case that would punish the NCAA for forbidding students from being paid directly by the schools. There is also provision in the suit for a 4 year reach back that would compensate players from 2019 till the time the case is settled. In antitrust cases that’s a thing. Schools could be forced to go back from the time the original case was ruled. Imagine the cost of that.

The reason no one wants this is the only way limits can be enforced is if that case won and players become employees. Then, players would organize and then collective bargaining could enforce caps because the players would have agreed to it when they voted on it. The reason no one wants this is because if a collective bargaining entity negotiated caps, they are bound by law to fairly negotiate for all employees. So kids who are getting pennies now would be earning a substantial living wage. The schools don’t want it. The marquee players don’t want it. Yet fans keep clamoring for it and it would be far more worse than the system that is now in place. I wish there was a way to set caps. It would level the playing ground for lesser programs and stop the bidding wars for the best players but the court ruling basically castrated the NCAA when it comes to enforcement. The last thing the NCAA needs is to get involved in another losing lawsuit. Enforcing caps without players being employees with collective bargaining is a great big lawsuit loss for the NCAA. Another loss of that magnitude and the NCAA may as well fold their tent.

That’s some good reading right there. Thanks.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

I don't know what the conversation that happens when a player leaves consists of. Some assume they are "asked to leave". Is it that or the player realizing they are going to be riding the bench and decide they want to move on to another place where their skill set may be useable? Or maybe there are issues with the success on the educational side.

Being recruited over is a life lesson. When one is called upon to perform, if one doesn't perform whether football, flipping burgers, selling insurance, etc. someone else who can do whatever it is, will take your place.

None of these players are guaranteed playing time. That is earned. They come to college and they find themself a small fish in a larger pond and that extends to both the education and athletic side. Some were not prepared. Thus they struggle or they fail. Some just don't have what it takes to be successful at the next level. One can either (1) do those things that make them better and stay where they are (tough it out) with the realization they are not the biggest fish in the new pond and that they may have to temper their goals to match their abilities or (2) look objectively at their ability and search out another place where there is hope for them to succeed.

This above is what the transfer portal should be about and allow for - but it has turned into a bidding war for players instead.

Yes, but many of you are saying "players aren't loyal like they used to be" when the truth is players are not punished by the NCAA anymore by losing a year if they transfer anymore.

I'm not a fan of how NIL and the portal are turning every year into a recruiting year for every player on the team, but I keep saying THE PLAYERS DIDN'T MAKE THE RULES!

Schools have been paying for decades. I get it. It makes you mad that you can see it but I posted a video of Joe Nameth saying he was offered more money than his Dad made + a new car every year to sign with a school. That was 1961.

It's just ridiculous to pin this mess on the players. Schools have been offering WELL beyond the scholarship to players longer than you've probably been alive.

 

[rickyyrs]

For those of you who think the TP and NIL is a great idea, let’s discuss how crappy it’s become in just 2.5 years. We have gone from players wanting some money shares for jersey sales and player cards signings for money to pay for play and basically uncontrolled free agency! Bowl season was laughable with players opting out during the game. Starting QBs for new years six games transferring out. Now Quinshon from Mississippi has left and he’s leaving what I feel a very real contender for the Natty next year.

If we don’t get some sort of overseeing body on this soon, college football will not survive!

Thoughts?

It all works if it helps your team. Bama and Georgia probaly been doing it for years. Kentucky in basketball. I think they need something in place once you transfer to another school, you have to stay there at least two years.

 

[volfan102455]

So kids who are getting pennies now would be earning a substantial living wage. The schools don’t want it. The marquee players don’t want it. Yet fans keep clamoring for it and it would be far more worse than the system that is now in place.

There is a lot of truth in this part of your statement. You will not see the players that are benefiting from NIL and the current bidding wars complaining about not being an employee of the university. They are the ones profiting. The schools don't want it because they are educational facilities not owners of professional sports teams. I know some will say they are, but in reality, that is not the business they are in. They are only dealing with facilities and dealing with the professionals that "educate / train" per se the student athletes. For a student they would have to account for compensation for both sides, education and athletes. Some universities will shut down programs as they can't afford it.

And it will still not address this mess. Players will still transfer.

 

[hukester]

I absolutely love it

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

There is a lot of truth in this part of your statement. You will not see the players that are benefiting from NIL and the current bidding wars complaining about not being an employee of the university. They are the ones profiting. The schools don't want it because they are educational facilities not owners of professional sports teams. I know some will say they are, but in reality, that is not the business they are in. They are only dealing with facilities and dealing with the professionals that "educate / train" per se the student athletes. For a student they would have to account for compensation for both sides, education and athletes. Some universities will shut down programs as they can't afford it.

And it will still not address this mess. Players will still transfer.

Let me just lay this out there. If schools are all about education, why is this true?

Highest-paid state official in 43 states is a college coach; Louisiana in top 5

LSU head football coach Brian Kelly is tied for the fifth-highest paid state employee in the country, with an annual salary of $9.5 million

www.brproud.com

 

[hukester]

I like the transfer rule as well. Nothing stops from leaving your job for a better situation.

 

[tennesseeduke]

I like the transfer rule as well. Nothing stops from leaving your job for a better situation.

Contracts do

 

[tennesseeduke]

There’s nothing really to oversee on NIL unless they decide to share revenue and make athletes employees.

Need a commissioner or the like.

 

[tennesseeduke]

We had an overseeing body. It was called the NCAA, and it did pretty okay at creating a competitive environment for student athletes, but people decided to blame it for everything. People hated it, legislators threatened it, hell, the Supreme Court told it that it was looking forward to killing it off.

Now that college football is wallowing in the muddy filth of this purely profit oriented cesspool -- now, suddenly -- people are clamoring for oversight again. It's beyond entertaining. What is the expression? "You've made your bed, now lie in it." Every time I see someone say "oh they need to impose this restriction" ... who are they kidding? Any attempt to create boundaries will be sued into oblivion. There is no going back. The bed has been made.

And this is what will kill the sport we all love!

 

[GAVol]

Need a commissioner or the like.

To do what though?

 

[S.C. OrangeMan]

What does that word even mean anymore? People make a commitment to pay for a student loan, and we know how that is working out. Why should a choice of where to play football be any different?

Nah. college football is all about the money now. The loyalty to a team/university is gone, never to return. Frankly, I will be surprised if Nico is here the entire time until he goes pro.

College football has always been about the money. The change is now the athletes are getting a bigger share of it, and out in the open.

 

[BearCat204]

I think you may be right. Ultimately it could lead to more parity and less stockpiling of talent.

It will, and hopefully the handwringing folks who just "want those boys to play for school pride" will stfu and adapt as well.

 

[temptn]

I like the transfer rule as well. Nothing stops from leaving your job for a better situation.

If my employer paid for my education while I was working for them and I left, I had to pay them back. Also I could not use some of my knowledge (talent) at the new employer because I signed a contract saying so. Today's football players are moving around with no consequences whatsoever.

 

[Pride85]

The NCAA didn't start NIL because "the masses wanted it." The courts were coming after them.

The same with the transfer rules. It's the courts that are about to stop the restrictions on transfers.

It sucks. The NCAA sucks for not trying to work this out before it got to the point where the courts basically told them: You're screwed and your business model isn't legal.

Pure blooded greed on all sides is what started this. Massively overpaid coaches, players getting paid period, prices through the roof. Stupid deals by TV networks, team chemistry destroyed. Those screaming for it to happen are now reaping their rewards.

 

[CeJayVols]

For those of you who think the TP and NIL is a great idea, let’s discuss how crappy it’s become in just 2.5 years. We have gone from players wanting some money shares for jersey sales and player cards signings for money to pay for play and basically uncontrolled free agency! Bowl season was laughable with players opting out during the game. Starting QBs for new years six games transferring out. Now Quinshon from Mississippi has left and he’s leaving what I feel a very real contender for the Natty next year.

If we don’t get some sort of overseeing body on this soon, college football will not survive!

Thoughts?

Same exact debate I had just yesterday with one of my best friends. My friend son played college football for 4 years. He think the kids should get paid even though his son played about 6 years ago and his son didn't get a penny. I think this is a disaster in the making and no control and no leadership at all.

I told my friend yes it's one thing sharing revenue from ticket sales or jerseys and t-shirts which I agree with him but now you got drug dealers, rappers, Hollywood and big boosters washing money and buying recruits and players Mercedes Maybach and Mercedes G Wags SUV's, Corvettes, Ferrari, etc.. way over $100,000 and buying jewelry and recruits and players wearing diamond jewelry way over $100,000 too and they can sell and buy a house. Did you see Jordan Seaton bling he was wearing now all diamonds? Lol No telling how many houses recruits and players families have received and jobs where they never work but receive income in a way to hide it.

And we now have full blown recruiting violations too where coaches are calling players direct or their agents and high school coaches to offer them more money to transfer to their schools. And please somebody explain to me why are we on probation for and reduction of scholarships if everybody and their brother is paying kids now and buying them cars, houses, jewelry and IRA's and no telling what else.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

Pure blooded greed on all sides is what started this. Massively overpaid coaches, players getting paid period, prices through the roof. Stupid deals by TV networks, team chemistry destroyed. Those screaming for it to happen are now reaping their rewards.

Being older, we as fans wanted more TV games and the NCAA got sued to open up schools to negotiate their own deals.

Well before that, teams were paying players to sign and after they signed. That's just an extension of what the fans wanted also: winners.

I recall being dumbfounded when Johnny got paid $100k. I don't blame him and he was a helluva coach, but that was a lot of money for an "amateur" team to pay a coach. Dang, though, Johnny and Doug put on a show in Knoxville and we loved it.

A lot of this came from the guy I see in the mirror when I shave. We wanted this. We thought it was great to see so much college football on TV (and I still do think it's great) and to have these skilled young men (and women, Thanks Coach Summitt!) represent UT.

We ate it up and wanted more, and more great players, and great coaching, and more and more and more and more. Well, we got it. If I'd known, I'd have bought a better transistor radio.