Congress Stepping in to Assist NIL Sparks Debate among Coaches, With Kirby Smart Advocating for a Structured Approach to Player Payments Instead
Alright, let's dive into the chaotic world of college athletics - where the California judiciary is reportedly just days away from greenlighting a deal that'll shake things up yet again. For Georgia's Kirby Smart, navigating the murky waters of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and what's fair for his players is as clear as mud.
As commissioners and athletic directors wrangle with Congress over the rules for this new system, Kirby's point of view is that we've already embarked on this wild ride, making it difficult to hit the brakes and fix certain issues.
One of those problems, in his eyes, is the way NIL evolved - not as an endorsement opportunity, but as a pay-for-play scheme disguised as finding deals for athletes upon enrollment. He wants a fair shake for the older players with a name big enough to rake in some cash or those higher up the pecking order who benefit the team as a whole.
Former NBA superstar Charles Barkley weighed in, stating he's done more for Auburn than other athletes. But don't go calling him anything nice, 'cause he ain't buyin' it.
The market's as volatile as a rodeo bull, with players raking in more dough now than when NIL first hit the scene. And with Congress moving at the speed of a snail, Kirby doesn't see a quick solution on the horizon.
During a chat with Paul Finebaum, Kirby shared his perspective, "Man, very little has changed. It just goes to show you how tough it is to make changes and straighten things out, 'cause, well, Congress ain't exactly known for its agility, y'know?"
He believes that we're in a decent place when it comes to compensating players, but he wants it to be sustained. His main concern is ensuring that freshmen don't earn more than seniors, and that other sports can survive this wild west landscape.
With schools facing the pressure to make tough cuts, Kirby's warnings about losing sports resonate. When the House settlement gets approved, athletic departments will divvy up roughly $20.6 million between programs on each campus. Most of this cash will head to football, unless schools prioritize differently.
Let's face it, football's the lifeblood of campus finances, especially with TV contracts factored in. The recent announcement of high school prospect Jackson Cantwell agreed to play at Miami for a reported $2 to $2.5 million in his first season has folks talking.
I gotta agree with Kirby. His worries about the sustainability of college athletics are valid. But getting to a point where we can establish a pay-grade scale for athletes? That'd require collective bargaining, and I'm not seeing that happening any time soon.
So, for now, Kirby will keep battling the NIL monster the same way he always has - by sticking to his guns and keeping his team on track. And if he ain't matchin' an opposing school's offer? Well, that's just Kirby being Kirby. Ain't no stoppin' him now.
- As college athletics continue to evolve, Kirby Smart is concerned about the fairness of the sports-betting and NIL system, especially in regards to older players and those who contribute significantly to their teams.
- In the unpredictable landscape of American and NCAA football, the recent trend of athletes earning large sums from Name, Image, and Likeness deals is reminiscent of a volatile stock market, with no obvious solution in sight.
- With high school prospects like Jackson Cantwell earning millions in their first season, football remains the financial backbone of college athletics, highlighting Kirby Smart's concerns about the sustainability of the system and the potential loss of other sports.
