🏅UNC Basketball is fighting Bill Belichick for NIL funds

Hey there,

First up in today’s edition: When North Carolina hired Bill Belichick as their head football coach, they knew they were getting a real football coach. But are they willing to siphon money away from the basketball team to get football wins? Then, we’re talking about how Texas Tech became the biggest player in NIL seemingly overnight. And lastly, an NIL tax-policy battle is taking place between Georgia and Alabama, with each trying to gain an edge in NIL recruiting. It’s all coming up now – let’s go!

Speaking of taxes, you guys should really check out Anthem’s NIL and taxes webinar on March 4^th. It’s going to talk you through crucial information if you’re an athlete, or if participate in the NIL space in any capacity. Sign up here — trust us here, this is really important stuff.

— Cole, Justin and Collin

The Big 3

North Carolina’s NIL Civil War

Bill Belichick was hired to salvage North Carolina’s football program – but at what cost? Right now, the legendary football coach is fighting for millions of NIL and rev-share dollars with the school’s basketball program. It’s unclear who will come out on top at this point. 

On one hand, basketball drives everything at UNC. It’s the lifeblood of the school, one of the most famous college sports teams in the country, and they’ve won six national championships over the decades. The football program, on the other hand, has never won a single ring.

However, the school is paying Belichick to turn the build a “pro team,” as GM Michael Lombardi remarked. How can he do that without substantial NIL funds? There’s also a potential opportunity right now, as the ACC’s football programs seem weaker than usual. With the right investment, Belichick could make a run at the College Football Playoff sooner rather than later. (More)

Texas Tech’s NIL Funding is Soaring Thanks to This Guy

Cody Campbell, the founder of Texas Tech’s NIL Collective the Matador Club, just sold his own company for $4.1 billion dollars. Simultaneously, the Red Raiders just landed the best transfer portal class in the country. The two events aren’t unrelated.

Flush with cash from the company’s sale, industry experts believe Campbell has been pouring heavily into the collective. It’s been reported that the school spent over $10 million on their portal class – and that type of investment is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. 

Earlier this year on social media, a Texas Tech fan pleaded with Campbell to “Buy us an O-line”, to which Campbell responded “I will.” (More)

New Tax Policy could Sway Recruits for ‘Bama & Georgia

Not too long ago, the state of Georgia passed a law that stripped the 5.49% income tax from every NIL deal agreed upon in the state. The law essentially allows more money to go to the athlete – it’s an incredible recruiting tool.

Well, their rival state’s legislature isn’t one to allow Georgia to out-recruit them. Just a week after Georgia’s bill was signed, Alabama passed an eerily similar bill, which will give schools like Auburn and ‘Bama the very same advantage as the Bulldogs. And then Illinois did the same thing.

The changes will result in tons more NIL money for all schools involved. These tax breaks are a legal way to open up about 5% more money for recruiting – with a roughly $20 million rev-share cap, that’s about $1 million per program. (More)

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ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Kam Jones

• School: Marquette University 

• Sport: Basketball

• Position: Guard

• Class: Senior

• Accolades: 

• Unanimous Preseason All-BIG EAST First team selection in 2024-25

• Named to Jerry West Award Preseason Watch List

• One of 20 players on NABC Division I Player of the Year preseason list

• Named to Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy National POW preseason list

• Named to 2024-25 John R. Wooden Award Top 50 Preseason Watch List and Lute Olson Award Early Season Watch List

• Named BIG EAST Player of the Week (11/18/24, 11/25/24), five times in career total

• Claimed Associated Press Player of the Week accolades (11/26/24)

• NIL: Jones is making waves in the NIL world. He's now the second-highest valued college basketball player, with an estimated NIL value of $2 million. 

NIL BLITZ

♦️ SEC Commish: “If I was just representing the SEC, we'd still have a four-team playoff.”

♦️ HBCU commissioners are asking Congress not to make student-athletes employees – or else they’d have to cut their sports programs

♦️ Cam Skattebo’s been trucking defenders all season. Now he’s got an NIL deal that fits the bill

♦️ Ever wonder how much football assistant coaches are making? Well now you can see – at least at Purdue

♦️ Gov. Josh Shapiro wants to bring “stability” to transfer portal in Pennsylvania

♦️ The University of Texas’ football team just canceled their spring game 

♦️ A former NCAA investigator is launching a company to help athletes receive mediation and arbitration for NIL disputes and other enforcement matters

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BATTER UP

Today’s Poll Question:

Last Edition’s Poll Results:

Should Cooper Flagg return to Duke next season?

• Of course not, he’s losing out on money - 50.5%

• Who cares about money, he’d become a Duke legend! - 49.5%