The Big Ten and SEC want to drive the boat now

Hey there,

Another great weekend of college football – in fact, it’s been a great weekend in NIL news, too. Today we’ve got stories on a wheelchair basketball player who’s shaking up the NIL world, an NIL company that’s under fire for “predatory” business practices, and a new proposal for college football by the Big Ten and SEC. It’s all coming up right now – let’s get into it!

— Cole, Justin and Collin

The Big 3

The SEC and Big Ten’s Plan for CFB: “Project Rudy”

Ever since early this year, the SEC and Big Ten have been discussing whether they should take the fate of college football into their own hands. Their plan now has a name: “Project Rudy.”

This plan is distinct from the one we told you about yesterday – instead of being a third-party entity, it’s directed by the two most powerful conferences themselves. Project Rudy involves granting automatic playoff bids, a new rev-share plan, and an injection of private capital from former Disney employees.

“Of all the ideas I’ve seen, this one makes the most sense,” said Dan Radakovich, the AD of the University of Miami, “Conferences are kept intact, commissioners still have an important and valuable role, and there is the ability for schools to make increased money from bigger matchups and more playoff games.” (More)

“Nilly” Under Fire from NIL Experts

Many industry experts are saying Nilly, an NIL company backed by former NBA player Kendrick Perkins, is taking advantage of kids in the NIL space. Some have even gone so far as to characterize the business as predatory.

Their model is simple – give student-athletes a hunk of NIL cash now in exchange for a percentage of their NIL earnings – sometimes as high as 50%, and for up to seven years. It’s sort of like a music licensing deal, according to Nilly co-founder Chris Ricciardi, but many don’t buy the explanation.

“To me it feels like you are preying on people who need the capital now and using that to cloud their focus on the future," said Michael Haddix Jr., a financial literacy educator, “It feels predatory, and it's capitalizing on young people who need money and haven't thought through the long-term implications.” (More)

‘Bama’s Wheelchair Basketball Player is an NIL Star

Alabama is an NIL powerhouse, but that isn’t limited to football. Bailey Moody is a wheelchair basketball savant – a four-time national champion, two-time Paralympic medalist, and now, an NIL superstar. 

A huge reason for that was the international popularity of wheelchair basketball. Upwards of 10,000 fans attended each game in Paris this year – that’s more than enough to build a following, which is exactly what Moody was able to do on social media.

therealbaileymoody

View more on Instagram

To date, she’s signed deals with Reese’s, Tervis, and Marriott Bonvoy. She’s also been brought on to help raise money for various campaigns to combat childhood cancer. If you want to donate to her cause, you can click here. (More)

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ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Ashton Jeanty

• School: Biose State

• Sport: Football

• Position: Running back

• Class: Junior

 Accolades: 

• Senior Bowl Midseason All-America (2024)

• 3x Doak Walker National Running Back of the Week (Sept. 4, 2024, Oct. 1, 2024, Oct. 8, 2024)

• Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Player of the Week (Sept. 4, 2024)

• East-West Shrine Bowl Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 3, 2024)

• Senior Bowl Co-Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 2, 2024)

NIL: Currently valued at $535k, he's the highest-paid NIL player in the Mountain West Conference.

NIL BLITZ

♦️ The NCAA is about to be debt-free for the first time in decades

♦️ How can Iowa State top their viral NIL ad from last season? With more Bacon

♦️ This HBCU is trying to launch a hockey program amidst an existential financial crisis

♦️ Oklahoma State raises around $3.5M in NIL through their country concert event

♦️ Nick Saban is returning to D.C. to talk NIL with Congress again

♦️ Arkansas is selling pieces of the goalpost from their historic upset vs Tennessee

♦️ USC is actively trying to build the best women’s basketball brand in the nation

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BATTER UP

Today’s Poll Question:

Last Edition’s Poll Results:

Is shortening the transfer portal window to 30 days a good idea?

• Yes, less time is better - 54%

• No, it was already crazy, and now the schedule is more compressed! - 46%