🆕 Major NIL Changes? New Recruit to Watch

•  🆕 The future of NIL is approaching

• 📝 Mike’s Quick Links: Big football visitor

• 🔒 Hearing: The Jayhawks may not be done yet 🤯🏀 

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EVERYTHING IN THIS NEWSLETTER IS BASED UPON WHAT I AM HEARING FROM PEOPLE I TRUST. PLEASE DO NOT MISTAKE THIS FOR FACT OR FOR ACTUAL JOURNALISM, WHICH HAS VERIFICATION STANDARDS THAT I HAVE NOT ADHERED TO. I DO NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT.

The Future of NIL and College Sports Takes Shape

We interrupt a month-straight of transfer portal news to bring you this Hearing 😅

Get ready… more changes are coming to college sports.

On Monday, ESPN broke the news of a potential groundbreaking settlement between the NCAA and its athletes. Yahoo Sports quickly followed up with additional details.

Here’s what you need to know and why I think the next few years are critical for KU. 👇

Quick Facts (based on ESPN and Yahoo stories) 👇

• NCAA leaders are working on settling a lawsuit by introducing a revenue-sharing model with athletes. In this model, Power-Five schools would directly share revenue with athletes, essentially ending amateurism as we know it.

  • One way or another, this means schools would pay players directly.

• Both reports mentioned $20M per school could be shared with athletes. This number would act like a salary cap.

• ESPN reports no deal is #imminent, but progress has “ramped up in recent weeks.” This could all happen soon, which means the next few years are critical for KU’s long-term outlook.

Mike’s Take 👇

• Multiple sources have told KUHearings that a revenue-share with players is likely to happen. This is the future.

  • There’s a real chance we’re within a year of seeing changes.

• The current NIL model isn’t sustainable. Something is gonna have to give. Third-parties will likely still be involved.

• I think the settlement framework laid out above is a short-term solution. Ensuring these changes are enforceable with Title IX is one of the holdups.

  • The proposed salary cap settlement could also be challenged in courts, eventually.

• I see one of two viable options for a long-term answer:

  • Option 1: The NCAA collectively bargains an agreement (CBA) with athletes.

    • In doing so, the NCAA could negotiate salary cap agreements and other issues like the transfer portal.

    • In its current state, the NCAA will keep losing in court if it attempts to restrict player movement.

  • Option 2: A federal law gets passed that offers some kind of Title IX protection or antitrust exemption.

    • I think this is less likely than Option 1.

    • A combination of the two options is possible.

Why it Matters for KU NOW 👇

• If we end up in a system with salary caps — which seems likely — KU’s conference affiliation may hurt long term.

• The current proposal mentioned above would create an equal salary cap for Power Five schools.

• I fear an equal salary cap wouldn’t last long. Eventually, there’s a chance each conference gets to set a different salary cap/revenue-sharing model.

  • Hopefully I’m wrong. But it’s important to share the possibility.

• Because the SEC and B1G have bigger TV deals, their schools may have a larger salary cap to work with. This would naturally create the “Power Two” conference model.

  • If this were to happen, it would likely be a couple of years after the original revenue-share arrangement.

• If KU can’t spend as much, then it probably won’t win as much. That’s just the nature of college sports.

• I’m not saying this will happen for sure, but there’s a chance it shakes out this way… and that’s enough for me to share it with you.

Right now, KU controls its own destiny with NIL. I truly think it is critical for fans to continue supporting this current model. Here’s the link to Mass St. NIL.

Want to land in the Power Two? Conferences want to see fan support and investment in athletics. Show up for football games. Buy season tickets. Support the Jayhawks now… because a lot is hanging in the balance and no one is certain how this shakes out.

KU must show long-term football SUCCESS (NIL) with FAN SUPPORT to match.

Rock Chalk, friends.

Reply to this email if it drives you to buy football tickets or donate to NIL. I love seeing how this community shows up and encourages others to do the same.

🏈 KU football is hosting Michigan State transfer DE Bai Jobe, according to On3Sports. I think Jobe is one to watch closely for the Jayhawks.

🏈🎥 The moment KU OL Dominick Puni got drafted by the 49ers is a must watch!

🏈 Jason Bean signed with the Colts and Kenny Logan signed with the Rams as undrafted free agents.

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