2025 Basketball Portal

[Flipper]

For the 1st time ever...there are no teams in the sweet 16 from non power conferences. Gotta think NIL has an impact on that

[jpfalcon09]

For the 1st time ever...there are no teams in the sweet 16 from non power conferences. Gotta think NIL has an impact on that

If it's a trend that continues, the conversation will shift as to whether or not the mid-majors even deserve a seat at the March Madness table, much like the CFP. Easy to see a future where the P4 establishes autonomy over that as well.

This year's "cinderella" seeding wise is Arkansas who has Calipari as their coach, and deep NIL pockets via the Walton family. So yeah, I think the days of mid-majors making deep tourney runs are numbered.

[JCFalcon08]

My opinion means nothing, I know. In saying that, I really don’t understand what these players have done to deserve this payday. They’re getting a free education and I am ok with giving them more money beyond that, but six or seven figures?

The average salary in the US is only like $65,000 for all workers. The average doctor makes like $350,000 (young doctors make about $75,000 to start out after quite a few years of studying). Paying them big money when most have done nothing to really earn it is very odd. My belief is that they should be paid based on what they accomplish during the year - incentive-based where you earn more when you stay at a school multiple years.

Again, my opinion doesn’t matter when there a rich guys out there willing to spend big dollars on teenagers for their favorite team to win.

[threestooges]

I've heard Felt is entering the transfer portal. That would suck.

[mbenecke]

Yep. Felt is in the portal.

[jpfalcon09]

My opinion means nothing, I know. In saying that, I really don’t understand what these players have done to deserve this payday. They’re getting a free education and I am ok with giving them more money beyond that, but six or seven figures?

The average salary in the US is only like $65,000 for all workers. The average doctor makes like $350,000 (young doctors make about $75,000 to start out after quite a few years of studying). Paying them big money when most have done nothing to really earn it is very odd. My belief is that they should be paid based on what they accomplish during the year - incentive-based where you earn more when you stay at a school multiple years.

Again, my opinion doesn’t matter when there a rich guys out there willing to spend big dollars on teenagers for their favorite team to win.

The money is just changing where it goes. Instead of a donor giving $500K to a program's athletic budget, they're giving it directly to the player. It's essentially recruiting.

[guest44]

That’s the problem. BG needs both and isn’t going to increase the institutional support for athletics. So where does it go? Businesses can sponsor BGSU athletics, have Learfield suck 20-25% (that might be light) commission for it or they can start giving it toward NIL. The problem there is it will eventually find its’ way to football first. When Learfield is contracted on so many revenue streams to do so little based on the old model, the first move would be to get competent and handle that stuff internally and cut off the commissions. They might not replace a scoreboard every ten years for show, but oh well, fundraise that when the time comes. Something has to change and it isn’t going to be additional institutional support, just student fees.

[guest44]

Campbell officially in the portal.

[jpfalcon09]

That’s the problem. BG needs both and isn’t going to increase the institutional support for athletics. So where does it go? Businesses can sponsor BGSU athletics, have Learfield suck 20-25% (that might be light) commission for it or they can start giving it toward NIL. The problem there is it will eventually find its’ way to football first. When Learfield is contracted on so many revenue streams to do so little based on the old model, the first move would be to get competent and handle that stuff internally and cut off the commissions. They might not replace a scoreboard every ten years for show, but oh well, fundraise that when the time comes. Something has to change and it isn’t going to be additional institutional support, just student fees.

The university has to engage all alumni who are invested in athletics, not just the wealthy. Set a goal for 100,000 individual donations. You could probably find that many across all sports. Aim for a target of $25-50 per donation, and there's a $2.5-5 million pool to pull from. Relying on the Bob Sebo's and Scott Slater's is only going to get you so far. It's a big lift but to me it's the only way a university the size of BG with the town it's in can be viable to survive in this current environment.

[guest44]

Has anyone been contacted by a collective for BGSU? The last social media post was this. LOL

https://x.com/ziggynil/status/1875165218642543046?s=46

Stop taking selfies and get to work…

[mbenecke]

I don't even understand how you're supposed to be a fan of BG sports anymore. The second someone has an ounce of success, they are leaving. Who is there to root for? How is there ever going to be a sustainable program year over year? It beats the passion and care out of fans like us.

['92Falcon]

That’s the problem. BG needs both and isn’t going to increase the institutional support for athletics. So where does it go? Businesses can sponsor BGSU athletics, have Learfield suck 20-25% (that might be light) commission for it or they can start giving it toward NIL. The problem there is it will eventually find its’ way to football first. When Learfield is contracted on so many revenue streams to do so little based on the old model, the first move would be to get competent and handle that stuff internally and cut off the commissions. They might not replace a scoreboard every ten years for show, but oh well, fundraise that when the time comes. Something has to change and it isn’t going to be additional institutional support, just student fees.

The university has to engage all alumni who are invested in athletics, not just the wealthy. Set a goal for 100,000 individual donations. You could probably find that many across all sports. Aim for a target of $25-50 per donation, and there's a $2.5-5 million pool to pull from. Relying on the Bob Sebo's and Scott Slater's is only going to get you so far. It's a big lift but to me it's the only way a university the size of BG with the town it's in can be viable to survive in this current environment.

I think this hill is much higher and steeper than you imagine. 100k individual donations is a pipe dream! There are less than 1,000 in Falcon Club!

BG has been trying to engage alumni in this way for years. On the University side, it has been relatively successful. On the Athletics side, less so, with the exception of the big names you mention and a few more including some recent first timers. The problem is we don't get regular donations from former student athletes. If you can't sell them, you aren't going to sell the regular graduate.

And most important, and someone alluded to this as well, what is the business case for a regular donation from a big donor when the athlete is going to bolt at the first opportunity. I've given significant sums to athletics over the years but I can't justify it anymore. We will NEVER compete for a national championship in anything other than hockey, PERIOD. I would argue our window on hockey is rapidly closing as well. Instead of us getting closer with new leadership at the AD level over the past couple of years, the P4 has literally lapped us five times over.

Personally, I'm waiting until the P4 decides what they are going to do to further destroy "amateur" athletics before I invest another cent.

[BillyLP]

Has anyone been contacted by a collective for BGSU? The last social media post was this. LOL

https://x.com/ziggynil/status/1875165218642543046?s=46

Stop taking selfies and get to work…

From what I understand they have shifted their focus to going after larger gifts and corporate partnerships. I give a very modest amount each month, but I'm not sure if I'm going to keep it up because the lack of contact since I started giving is kind of a bummer. I think Cal & Co. do a decent job with what they are given, but it's basically a volunteer job for folks who already have other full-time jobs. Most other schools have a full-time workers on their collective.

I'm actually surprised our NIL program hasn't improved drastically under DVDM. I think he's been fantastic in almost every way, but athletics needs to have a more aggressive and hands-on approach with the NIL collective.

[guest44]

Has anyone been contacted by a collective for BGSU? The last social media post was this. LOL

https://x.com/ziggynil/status/1875165218642543046?s=46

Stop taking selfies and get to work…

From what I understand they have shifted their focus to going after larger gifts and corporate partnerships. I give a very modest amount each month, but I'm not sure if I'm going to keep it up because the lack of contact since I started giving is kind of a bummer. I think Cal & Co. do a decent job with what they are given, but it's basically a volunteer job for folks who already have other full-time jobs. Most other schools have a full-time workers on their collective.

I'm actually surprised our NIL program hasn't improved drastically under DVDM. I think he's been fantastic in almost every way, but athletics needs to have a more aggressive and hands-on approach with the NIL collective.

If it has improved, it's through smoke and mirrors and in ways it probably shouldn't be done. My fear was simply funding football only through it. I have zero interest in funding anything toward football. But when all involved are in place because of football, you kind of know what's going on. Simon and the assistants had talked about working to create something basketball specific. Someone would probably have to take that on themselves, and fight the hurdles on incompetence at BGSU to get it started. With 12 or 13 scholarships it feels like one of the sports where it could actually make a difference.

[jpfalcon09]

That’s the problem. BG needs both and isn’t going to increase the institutional support for athletics. So where does it go? Businesses can sponsor BGSU athletics, have Learfield suck 20-25% (that might be light) commission for it or they can start giving it toward NIL. The problem there is it will eventually find its’ way to football first. When Learfield is contracted on so many revenue streams to do so little based on the old model, the first move would be to get competent and handle that stuff internally and cut off the commissions. They might not replace a scoreboard every ten years for show, but oh well, fundraise that when the time comes. Something has to change and it isn’t going to be additional institutional support, just student fees.

The university has to engage all alumni who are invested in athletics, not just the wealthy. Set a goal for 100,000 individual donations. You could probably find that many across all sports. Aim for a target of $25-50 per donation, and there's a $2.5-5 million pool to pull from. Relying on the Bob Sebo's and Scott Slater's is only going to get you so far. It's a big lift but to me it's the only way a university the size of BG with the town it's in can be viable to survive in this current environment.

I think this hill is much higher and steeper than you imagine. 100k individual donations is a pipe dream! There are less than 1,000 in Falcon Club!

BG has been trying to engage alumni in this way for years. On the University side, it has been relatively successful. On the Athletics side, less so, with the exception of the big names you mention and a few more including some recent first timers. The problem is we don't get regular donations from former student athletes. If you can't sell them, you aren't going to sell the regular graduate.

And most important, and someone alluded to this as well, what is the business case for a regular donation from a big donor when the athlete is going to bolt at the first opportunity. I've given significant sums to athletics over the years but I can't justify it anymore. We will NEVER compete for a national championship in anything other than hockey, PERIOD. I would argue our window on hockey is rapidly closing as well. Instead of us getting closer with new leadership at the AD level over the past couple of years, the P4 has literally lapped us five times over.

Personally, I'm waiting until the P4 decides what they are going to do to further destroy "amateur" athletics before I invest another cent.

My scenario wasn't based in any reality at all, I know. More of an argument that sometimes going after quantity instead of quality sometimes can work.

Hockey is a different animal at the moment given the number of schools with programs, and the fact the blue bloods have always recruited the best players prior to NIL. Those blue bloods will simply fight it out amongst each other on who can offer top dollar for the best players. There is probably still enough real estate for a school like BG to slide in there and at least be competitive in attracting the best players from the tier below that. We're fortunate Willy has some major pull with the CHL guys to bring in a top five class for 2025-26.

I'd love if someone reached out to me for NIL donations. I give every year on One Day, usually to the hockey program given my history with it. But I'd love my money to be going towards actually trying to attract better talent to come here than just fund the day-to-day operations (which is obviously still important).