I had an idea on how football could use NIL to break the cycle. Call it the NIL Jumpstart idea.
Obviously up front there's a flaw: we need $10M. That's not chump change but it's not unfathomable.
So say Vandy's NIL group got ahold of that type of cash. Then you identify 2-3 top 50 players. A QB, an offensive specialist and a linebacker or DT. Find the ones in that pack who can qualify for VU.
You then make them an offer they can't refuse. That's unfortunately what it would take for VU to land that type of player in the current climate.
That's not sustainable long term. But my theory is that it doesn't need to be. You get difference-makers who you know can help turn this program around, and who will also bring major attention to our program. We get out of the cellar, our name is spread far and wide. It dovetails nicely with actual modern facilities coming online.
I posit that winning 6-8 games, having top-tier players, and the fresh facilities will be enough to make the current approach we take more effective even if we have to revert back to it. And who knows, if we start winning more fans might come and we might get a more self-sustaining NIL fund base coming in and be able to do more with more, instead of with less.
It could be wiser to do it with Transfers (more proven) than with high schoolers who could bust. It could also cause strife if they ever bragged about their massive NIL deals while the rest of the team had 1/10th of their payday.
Have at it. Agree. Tell me why it won't work. Would love thoughts and builds.
Obviously up front there's a flaw: we need $10M. That's not chump change but it's not unfathomable.
So say Vandy's NIL group got ahold of that type of cash. Then you identify 2-3 top 50 players. A QB, an offensive specialist and a linebacker or DT. Find the ones in that pack who can qualify for VU.
You then make them an offer they can't refuse. That's unfortunately what it would take for VU to land that type of player in the current climate.
That's not sustainable long term. But my theory is that it doesn't need to be. You get difference-makers who you know can help turn this program around, and who will also bring major attention to our program. We get out of the cellar, our name is spread far and wide. It dovetails nicely with actual modern facilities coming online.
I posit that winning 6-8 games, having top-tier players, and the fresh facilities will be enough to make the current approach we take more effective even if we have to revert back to it. And who knows, if we start winning more fans might come and we might get a more self-sustaining NIL fund base coming in and be able to do more with more, instead of with less.
It could be wiser to do it with Transfers (more proven) than with high schoolers who could bust. It could also cause strife if they ever bragged about their massive NIL deals while the rest of the team had 1/10th of their payday.
Have at it. Agree. Tell me why it won't work. Would love thoughts and builds.
