Realignment Megathread (All The Moves)

[SEIOWA CLONE]

No, it's a massive game changer for FB and MBB. The big donors don't need to donate much, as the increased TV deal $ can cover that. Instead all the big donors just go all in on NIL.

It's unfortunate, but Iowa is about to massively open the gap on us in terms of resources and NIL. Not saying we can't compete, as $ doesn't equal wins, but it's going to be more difficult moving forward for sure IMO.

Is EIU and the other schools going to count a donation to their NIL just like they do to the universities athletic funds? Are these donations going to be tax deductible, like they currently are? With all this money rolling in, should we expect EIU to drop or lower ticket prices on their season tickets, they will not be needing as much money, so why continue to keep prices high?

Some of those we do not have the answer for right now, I doubt EIU or any team will be dropping their ticket prices anytime soon, and I stand by what I said earlier, this new money will not be the game changer the EIU fan base believes it will in MBB and FB.

 

[werdnamanhill]

Is EIU and the other schools going to count a donation to their NIL just like they do to the universities athletic funds? Are these donations going to be tax deductible, like they currently are? With all this money rolling in, should we expect EIU to drop or lower ticket prices on their season tickets, they will not be needing as much money, so why continue to keep prices high?

Some of those we do not have the answer for right now, I doubt EIU or any team will be dropping their ticket prices anytime soon, and I stand by what I said earlier, this new money will not be the game changer the EIU fan base believes it will in MBB and FB.

I'm not sure what ticket prices has to do with anything. I'm saying that the TV money increase can replace some current donor money that can then be put into NIL instead.

 

[SEIOWA CLONE]

I'm not sure what ticket prices has to do with anything. I'm saying that the TV money increase can replace some current donor money that can then be put into NIL instead.

Only if the university is willing to count NIL money just like a donation to the university. I really doubt that few will be willing to do so. If all these universities are rolling in the dole, then why not roll back ticket prices to their fans? Is the federal government going to allow you to take a tax deduction on an NIL donation like it does a donation to the university?

Many schools have programs set up that tie your donation rate to where you can sit in the stadium, will EIU continue to do so for the guy that instead of giving that money to the schools, donates it to the NIL. Remember NIL cannot now have anything to do with university, and they are not allowed to control those funds. Now that could change in the future, but as of today, they have to be separate.

 

[SCNCY]

Only if the university is willing to count NIL money just like a donation to the university. I really doubt that few will be willing to do so. If all these universities are rolling in the dole, then why not roll back ticket prices to their fans? Is the federal government going to allow you to take a tax deduction on an NIL donation like it does a donation to the university?

Many schools have programs set up that tie your donation rate to where you can sit in the stadium, will EIU continue to do so for the guy that instead of giving that money to the schools, donates it to the NIL. Remember NIL cannot now have anything to do with university, and they are not allowed to control those funds. Now that could change in the future, but as of today, they have to be separate.

I would think that the mega donors will divert more of their money to NIL as media value and marketing will make up a bigger portion of the AD annual operating budget. While media money won’t overtake the entire annual AD budget, it’ll be a higher percentage. I think you’ll see less aggressive increases in donation levels, particularly at the top to fund the AD budget. Saving the bigger donors to other things such as capital improvements and NIL.

 

[Stormin]

Only if the university is willing to count NIL money just like a donation to the university. I really doubt that few will be willing to do so. If all these universities are rolling in the dole, then why not roll back ticket prices to their fans? Is the federal government going to allow you to take a tax deduction on an NIL donation like it does a donation to the university?

Many schools have programs set up that tie your donation rate to where you can sit in the stadium, will EIU continue to do so for the guy that instead of giving that money to the schools, donates it to the NIL. Remember NIL cannot now have anything to do with university, and they are not allowed to control those funds. Now that could change in the future, but as of today, they have to be separate.

If a person takes standard deduction and does not itemize deductions does it make a difference?

 

[Cloneon]

I just don’t see UCONN football ever being P5 level. If they’re added, it’ll solely be based on basketball. And the only way that happens is with a separate basketball contract. Now, maybe you can hide that extra mouth to feed for a while if there are other big football names being added also. But if there aren’t, UCONN needs to stand on their own and not reduce the payouts to the other members.

But I guess that’s really the trick. Does the Big12 think UCONN is valuable beyond a basketball power? I don’t personally think they are but they are the ones in meetings with TV partners.

As stated before BY is eying a separate BB contract. Furthermore, his visits to DC as he has stated on multiple occasions, though shrouded in secrecy, IMO revolve around NIL legislation. That is a big piece of the separate basketball contract. What the gov does will play a very big role in upcoming media contracts for both FB and BB. All that said, BY has a better handle on that direction than any of us, but common rational would be to better position the conference for a separate BB contract. I truly believe that'll close the P2 $$$ gap if the B12 can have the dominate BB members.

 

[Jkclone15]

It isn't based on any one article, but many. But the main basis of my belief that Yormark wants the NE market for hoops. WVU and Cinn wont do that alone.

The Big 12 is now operating a camp in NYC, Yormark has had talks with gonzaga and UConn. Yormark has said he cant compete with the SEC or BIG in football, but he want s the best hoops conference and he wants to market it separately.

Uconn does suck in football, but so did ISU and Kansas not so long ago. I think in the big 12, especially with NIL, that Uconn can close the gap. Uconn is a state school. a small state yes, but also one where ESPN is HQed.

Uconn has a large presence in the NYC market. Yormark wants them, but, according to many of the past articles, the big 12 schools ADS do not.

I think yormark will get their blessing if he can pair uconn with a pac school/schools. uconn would also give the Big 12 an eastern pod.

UConn Booster Predicts It's Only a Matter of 'If Not When' Huskies Join Big 12

At least one person around UConn athletics believes it’s only a matter of time before the Huskies join the Big 12 Conference. At Big 12 Media Days on Wednesday, commissioner Brett Yormark said that the conference has a “plan” around expansion but didn’t mention any specific schools. But, he...

www.heartlandcollegesports.com

Connecticut is a small state by area, but it is densely packed. A comparison of population vs. existing B12 states:

Connecticut: 3.6 million (29th largest)

Oklahoma: 4 million (28th)
Utah: 3.4 million (30th)
Iowa: 3.3 million (31st)
Kansas: 2.9 million (36th)
West Virginia: 1.8 million (40th)

So basically in line with the B12 states, excepting the massive ones of Texas, Florida, and Ohio, and it doesn't have to share the population with another P5 school. The only B12 school who can say that is West Virginia with half the population.

 

[CascadeClone]

As stated before BY is eying a separate BB contract. Furthermore, his visits to DC as he has stated on multiple occasions, though shrouded in secrecy, IMO revolve around NIL legislation. That is a big piece of the separate basketball contract. What the gov does will play a very big role in upcoming media contracts for both FB and BB. All that said, BY has a better handle on that direction than any of us, but common rational would be to better position the conference for a separate BB contract. I truly believe that'll close the P2 $$$ gap if the B12 can have the dominate BB members.

Very high chance that players are gonna get paid and get a union to balance antitrust immunity for the ncaa or its successor (for MBB and FB at least). Congress has to do that. BY has a lot of experience in the pro world. Makes a lot of sense he would be trying to shape the future of what this will become. And i am glad he is our commish involved in driving it. Beebee or Bowlsby wouldnt have a clue for that kind of thing.

 

[SEIOWA CLONE]

If a person takes standard deduction and does not itemize deductions does it make a difference?

I doubt too many people donating 5 to 10 grand a year to the athletic program are taking the standard deduction on their taxes. I am not talking about the person giving $500 to get his tickets, but people that are paying in the thousands each year.

Are schools going to treat your donation to the NIL fund the same as they do donations to the athletic department, if so, then people might start switching them over, otherwise they will continue to donate to the university to hold their tickets each year.

 

[Stormin]

I doubt too many people donating 5 to 10 grand a year to the athletic program are taking the standard deduction on their taxes. I am not talking about the person giving $500 to get his tickets, but people that are paying in the thousands each year.

Are schools going to treat your donation to the NIL fund the same as they do donations to the athletic department, if so, then people might start switching them over, otherwise they will continue to donate to the university to hold their tickets each year.

NIL might not get the perk benefits of points for NIL contribution. And immensely wealthy people move to the front when they start making loan donations. Points probably aren’t even considered. Large donors would still be able to deduct NIL contribution on their itemized deductions just like a donation to the Iowa State Gridiron Club.

 

[clonedude]

Adding UConn does nothing for me... but I don't matter.

Okay... so let's say the Big 12 becomes the dominant basketball conference in the country... what does that do for you? The Big 12 has been the best basketball conference already for quite a few years.... and we still get s**t on by the media all the time.

Football is king. Like it or not. Add football schools to the conference IMO. ISU competes VERY well in basketball in the Big 12.... you start adding UConn, Arizona, Gonzaga, etc.... we become nothing pretty quick.

 

[NWICY]

I'd be pretty happy with UCONN, UA, CU, and SDSU.

I was with you till SDSU, ASU before SDSU and Utah before them if they get off their high horse.

 

[Cloneon]

Adding UConn does nothing for me... but I don't matter.

Okay... so let's say the Big 12 becomes the dominant basketball conference in the country... what does that do for you? The Big 12 has been the best basketball conference already for quite a few years.... and we still get s**t on by the media all the time.

Football is king. Like it or not. Add football schools to the conference IMO. ISU competes VERY well in basketball in the Big 12.... you start adding UConn, Arizona, Gonzaga, etc.... we become nothing pretty quick.

Respectfully disagree. BB and FB will soon separate their contracts. If/when that is the case, the media promotion will shift dramatically, likely, leaning on B12 BB promotions a few weeks before the BB season starts. Furthermore, due to the FB audience, there's already a venue to capture the fans in that market during FB broadcasts. FB doesn't have that luxury because the only college sports in the summer are not big markets.

 

[Clonehomer]

Respectfully disagree. BB and FB will soon separate their contracts. If/when that is the case, the media promotion will shift dramatically, likely, leaning on B12 BB promotions a few weeks before the BB season starts. Furthermore, due to the FB audience, there's already a venue to capture the fans in that market during FB broadcasts. FB doesn't have that luxury because the only college sports in the summer are not big markets.

The soonest this can happen is 2031. Why take UCONN now and subsidize them when the ACC could be open for business at that time? Maybe UCONN is an option then, but you’re paying them until that point. It’s not like they’re taking multiple offers right now.

 

[SEIOWA CLONE]

NIL might not get the perk benefits of points for NIL contribution. And immensely wealthy people move to the front when they start making loan donations. Points probably aren’t even considered. Large donors would still be able to deduct NIL contribution on their itemized deductions just like a donation to the Iowa State Gridiron Club.

If I am donating $2500 a year to get four seats in the new South endzone, then paying $950 each for the seats, is ISU going to be ok with me giving that money to a NIL instead of the Iowa State Gridiron Club, which is a fund-raising part of the ISU athletic department, strictly for football.

Donations to the Gridiron Club are deductible because they are part of the university, an NIL under the current rules cannot be part of the university and must be a separate institution.

 

[Stormin]

If I am donating $2500 a year to get four seats in the new South endzone, then paying $950 each for the seats, is ISU going to be ok with me giving that money to a NIL instead of the Iowa State Gridiron Club, which is a fund-raising part of the ISU athletic department, strictly for football.

Donations to the Gridiron Club are deductible because they are part of the university, an NIL under the current rules cannot be part of the university and must be a separate institution.

If the NIL has 501 (c)3 status then it appears that it would be tax deductible. If not then it appears it would just be a payment. The We Will Collective is a 501 (c)3.

 

[werdnamanhill]

If I am donating $2500 a year to get four seats in the new South endzone, then paying $950 each for the seats, is ISU going to be ok with me giving that money to a NIL instead of the Iowa State Gridiron Club, which is a fund-raising part of the ISU athletic department, strictly for football.

Donations to the Gridiron Club are deductible because they are part of the university, an NIL under the current rules cannot be part of the university and must be a separate institution.

Im not talking about donors like you. I'm talking about Iowa's big time donors. They can donate enough to get their seats and then the excess (which could be a lot) goes to NIL instead

 

[SEIOWA CLONE]

If the NIL has 501 (c)3 status then it appears that it would be tax deductible. If not then it appears it would just be a payment. The We Will Collective is a 501 (c)3.

Does ISU recognize a donation to the We Will Collective the same as they do to the Gridiron Club, with all the benefits that go along with a donation to the Gridiron Club.

 

[SEIOWA CLONE]

Im not talking about donors like you. I'm talking about Iowa's big time donors. They can donate enough to get their seats and then the excess (which could be a lot) goes to NIL instead

So, people like the Moon family that donated to pay the football coach's salary at EIU? The problem with that, is those people are going to want to make damn sure that everyone knows it was them that donated that money, they want the press from it, that is why EIU is always mentioning the donation they gave the university. Is an NIL going to do the same, are they going to issue a press release stating that funds from the XYZ family helped pay NIL to get this athlete on campus?

People with money making million-dollar donations want everyone to know it was them, and many will not make such a donation without that perk. Might as well give it to the university that will give it to them. Otherwise, the South endzone would not be called the Sukup endzone club, but just the south endzone.

 

[SolterraCyclone]

I would think that the mega donors will divert more of their money to NIL as media value and marketing will make up a bigger portion of the AD annual operating budget. While media money won’t overtake the entire annual AD budget, it’ll be a higher percentage. I think you’ll see less aggressive increases in donation levels, particularly at the top to fund the AD budget. Saving the bigger donors to other things such as capital improvements and NIL.

I initially was going to disagree with this, and even started out by typing a message, but then I looked at how many of these schools ended 2022 with a surplus. Most ended with between a $10-20M surplus (Georgia had a $34M surplus!)

My initial reasoning for disagreeing would be; no business would see additional funding/source of revenue and be ok with the operating budget to remain the same/go down (all other factors being the same). That would be the case if schools just told donors (their largest source of revenue right now percentage wise) “ok we are making more on tv rights so go donate to NIL”.

BUT, it’s clear the schools are already at a point of diminishing returns with their current media rights payouts, given how much of a surplus they’re operating at (and will be even more when the media rights increase with the new TV contract and CFP playoff.) In 2022 alone, Georgia could have redirected $34M to NIL and not skipped a beat from an athletic department standpoint.