Auburn Ready to Help Players 'Make Some Money' with NIL

[Zeek 16,613]

Making a separate thread for this article since the other one is bogged down

https://247sports.com/college/auburn/Article/auburn-nil-law-alabama-image-likeness-allen-greene-bryan-harsin-bruce-pearl-2021-july-ncaa-kay-ivey-165317364/

Quote

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Auburn’s athletic department wants to fully embrace the idea of players profiting off their name, image and likeness. It’s just not sure how to do that yet.

“If anybody can pin down NIL, I’d like to know who that person is,” Auburn athletic director Allen Greene said this week before an alumni event in Birmingham. “Because it’s a little bit all over the place.”

With Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signing a college NIL bill into law last month, set to take effect July 1, the race is on for major college athletics programs like Auburn and Alabama to prepare and educate their student-athletes on how they can take advantage of their likeness in the future — within the parameters of the state’s new legislation on the matter.

The bill dictates that college athletes can hire agents to represent them in likeness-profiting discussions, and that respective universities cannot limit a player’s access to NIL compensation or compensate their own student-athletes via university funds.

The NCAA in January postponed an official ruling on NIL, and the organization is pressuring Congress to create legislation and guidelines for all states. In the meantime, however, states like Alabama are prepping for whenever the NCAA gives its programs the green light.

Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, New Mexico and Tennessee have passed NIL laws that will go into effect in July, while Arkansas (2022), California (2023), Colorado (2023), Michigan (2022), Montana (2023), Nebraska (No later than 2023 — can be implemented immediately on a by-school basis), New Jersey (2025) and South Carolina (2023) have passed legislation for the future (data via The Athletic).

With its state now on the fast track, Auburn will have to act soon to create a program for its student-athletes to operate through in profiting from their likeness. Nick Saban and Alabama have already announced “a comprehensive program that will provide Crimson Tide student-athletes with the education and tools necessary to build and elevate their personal brands.” Traditional powers like USC, Florida State and Nebraska have done the same.

Social media influence, advertising, autographs and more is all expected to be available for players to profit from.

“We’re still learning interpretations from the state law,” Greene said. “Obviously, each state is different. They talk about it, it’s not supposed to impact recruiting, but we all know it will, and so what does that look like? None of us know that until we get in it and the dust settles around it. 

“But we want to provide an opportunity for our student-athletes, those who want to have an ability to make some money off of name, image, likeness, for them to be able to do so.”

NIL will be yet another facet of recruiting that Auburn’s coaches across all sports will attempt to keep pace with. Bruce Pearl said the athletic department have “had lots of discussions, lots of meetings, trying to stay ahead of the curve.”

Pearl has advocated in the past for an annuity fund for college athletes to be aided for years after they’ve graduated, and he sees the NIL affixation as a more upfront method of compensating players, with the same intentions.

“It absolutely makes sense,” Pearl said in Birmingham. “And Auburn is going to kind of do everything we can to support those student-athletes. And, from a compliance standpoint, manage it. There are limits to what we can do with it, but we'll pay very close attention to what's being done around the country and do everything we can to assist the kids.”

New head football coach Bryan Harsin similarly endorsed NIL education at Auburn, but warned it has to be handled properly and executed smartly by the athletic department’s leaders. 

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As Harsin put it, student-athletes already have so much on their plates, and they need to maintain the “focus necessary to be successful” with another factor added in once NIL compensation is available to them. 

“How do you maximize that for the players?” Harsin said. “At the same time, the players, too — how do they stay focused on the things they need to stay focused on? Hard work, coming in and learning a new system, developing themselves in the culture, preparing themselves to actually go play, staying focused on that and their education. It's a lot of work.”

The NCAA's Division I Council is scheduled to reconvene May 19 to pick up on its tabled NIL discussions.

 

[W.E.D 11,070]

Hmmm, so we have nothing at the moment, but working on it & still trying to figure out the legislation?

[Zeek 16,613]

33 minutes ago, W.E.D said:

Hmmm, so we have nothing at the moment, but working on it & still trying to figure out the legislation?

Didn't sound promising to me. Bruce Pearl seems like he's legitimately bought in, AG being younger I'm sure is looking to embrace it cautiously, but I do worry Harsin is a no frills non-social media kind of guy that might not see its full importance. We'll see. I think some schools are already doing a better job of promoting their players on Twitter from what I've seen.

[W.E.D 11,070]

4 minutes ago, Zeek said:

Didn't sound promising to me. Bruce Pearl seems like he's legitimately bought in, AG being younger I'm sure is looking to embrace it cautiously, but I do worry Harsin is a no frills non-social media kind of guy that might not see its full importance. We'll see. I think some schools are already doing a better job of promoting their players on Twitter from what I've seen.

Ha, I thought I'd get blast for the comment. 

I think they are about it but behind Bama and other schools already releasimg plans. Maybe it is further along than what he said. Acting like they don't understand the legislation seems weird. 

I see Harsin or athleast AU football more on social media than before. Hell Saban claims. He doesn't even have email. Our coach can be off social media but still understand it's importance. Seems like we have been more visible since he took over. 

[gravejd 3,267]

1 hour ago, W.E.D said:

Hmmm, so we have nothing at the moment, but working on it & still trying to figure out the legislation?

Agreed, i did not like the sound of that statement. I DID like that it sounded like Harsin in open to the idea of players getting paid and the admin aren't going to try and discourage it. But our current athletic leadership does not seem to understand the idea of optics and how things can take a life of their own in todays world. It was clear during the coaching search as they let rumors fly around like crazy and it is apparent now with this statement. Steve Jobs once had a saying that sometimes you have to fake it until you make it. That strategy can get you in trouble at times but i think it would be a good one for our admin to try out in this situation. Don't state the obvious and say well we aren't sure...this is complicated....blah blah blah..... 

Alabama and Miss St have comes out with statements saying they will be the best and state of the art with helping players maximize NIL. What does that really mean?? No one knows wth that means but it sounds good as hell and you can use it when talking to athletes and selling how coming to AU instead of the dozen other options is in their best interest. 

I can forgive our admin for not squashing random rumors during a coaching search.....but this statement really misses the mark and makes AU look lost. We want to help but someone needs to explain to us what we can do to help. Get out of here with that weak sauce

[DAG 33,955]

2 hours ago, Zeek said:

Making a separate thread for this article since the other one is bogged down

https://247sports.com/college/auburn/Article/auburn-nil-law-alabama-image-likeness-allen-greene-bryan-harsin-bruce-pearl-2021-july-ncaa-kay-ivey-165317364/

 

Thank you for the post buddy and congrats on fatherhood. Hope to see you take over the recruiting forum, if you have time.

[Zeek 16,613]

3 minutes ago, DAG said:

Thank you for the post buddy and congrats on fatherhood. Hope to see you take over the recruiting forum, if you have time.

Thanks man! Realizing I'm not the best at being woken up randomly and then being productive lol. Almost summer break though so I should have some more time soon!

[W.E.D 11,070]

19 minutes ago, gravejd said:

Agreed, i did not like the sound of that statement. I DID like that it sounded like Harsin in open to the idea of players getting paid and the admin aren't going to try and discourage it. But our current athletic leadership does not seem to understand the idea of optics and how things can take a life of their own in todays world. It was clear during the coaching search as they let rumors fly around like crazy and it is apparent now with this statement. Steve Jobs once had a saying that sometimes you have to fake it until you make it. That strategy can get you in trouble at times but i think it would be a good one for our admin to try out in this situation. Don't state the obvious and say well we aren't sure...this is complicated....blah blah blah..... 

Alabama and Miss St have comes out with statements saying they will be the best and state of the art with helping players maximize NIL. What does that really mean?? No one knows wth that means but it sounds good as hell and you can use it when talking to athletes and selling how coming to AU instead of the dozen other options is in their best interest. 

I can forgive our admin for not squashing random rumors during a coaching search.....but this statement really misses the mark and makes AU look lost. We want to help but someone needs to explain to us what we can do to help. Get out of here with that weak sauce

It's ambiguous.  ADAG seemed know it'll impact recruiting and it is needed.  I feel we're all aligned, it just seems like it was very grey how far along they are with a plan.

It's weird we're in the limbo state, still trying to figure it out and others are releasing their plans.  Hopefully he was just being coy

Edited May 12, 2021 by W.E.D

[steeleagle 2,945]

1 hour ago, W.E.D said:

It's ambiguous.  ADAG seemed know it'll impact recruiting and it is needed.  I feel we're all aligned, it just seems like it was very grey how far along they are with a plan.

It's weird we're in the limbo state, still trying to figure it out and others are releasing their plans.  Hopefully he was just being coy

We know Greene is cautious in his approach. His comments in the past on issues within the AD support that. So, I could be wrong but I dont' think he was being coy, and they have some grand plan to present and put out for the NIL.

But I do think they are working on it, and will do something professionally well, but ADAG was addressing the total scope of it's impact and that made it sound like we're behind.

I do think that Harsin is sold on it, and WILL use it to help him in recruiting, since I think he has used media better than Gus has to promote he football program. I don't think at all, what 1 poster said above where he was worried Harsin was not seeing it's full importance to his program and especially recruiting. I think Harsin just is dry in his comments bc his effort for now is building a COMPLETE football program in all areas he is concerned with, not just in the area of NIL....

[McLoofus 35,182]

Do we want to be first or do we want to be best? I have no problem with us taking our time to do it right. I heard what I wanted to hear in those comments.

[AU9377 4,913]

19 hours ago, Zeek said:

Didn't sound promising to me. Bruce Pearl seems like he's legitimately bought in, AG being younger I'm sure is looking to embrace it cautiously, but I do worry Harsin is a no frills non-social media kind of guy that might not see its full importance. We'll see. I think some schools are already doing a better job of promoting their players on Twitter from what I've seen.

It is impossible to be detailed when the NCAA has yet to release its proposal of what the policy will actually look like.

It will be interesting to see how much schools tell players that they will be able to make in their freshman years.  When they fall short of that figure, how many will transfer because another coach told them they could make more at their school?  Interesting times for sure.

Edited May 13, 2021 by AU9377

[Quietmaninthecorner 1,945]

38 minutes ago, AU9377 said:

It is impossible to be detailed when the NCAA has yet to release its proposal of what the policy will actually look like.

 

This^^   It sounded like there may be some confusion on what will be allowed.  Some of these schools already putting out marketing releases may be jumping  the gun.   With all the ambiguity they may be breaking the rules or bylaws.  Rules that no one seems to know exactly what they are yet.

[DAG 33,955]

57 minutes ago, AU9377 said:

It is impossible to be detailed when the NCAA has yet to release its proposal of what the policy will actually look like.

It will be interesting to see how much schools tell players that they will be able to make in their freshman years.  When they fall short of that figure, how many will transfer because another coach told them they could make more at their school?  Interesting times for sure.

Other schools have incorporated expert outsource groups to help educate and maximize player opportunity from what I have seen. This is fine; however, being first in doing this does not mean they know how this stuff will work AEB what you just pointed out in your post. Like I said in other threads, The administration we have has shown to be very organized in how they do things, naturally taking longer to formulate something. This can be a good or bad thing, but that was the point I was trying to reference.

Edited May 13, 2021 by DAG

[cole256 17,039]

Whoever does this and legitimately have the kids in mind and don't try to exploit will be the person that comes out on top

[McLoofus 35,182]

4 minutes ago, cole256 said:

Whoever does this and legitimately have the kids in mind and don't try to exploit will be the person that comes out on top

Seems like a true "all ships rise" scenario to me. Everybody can win. 

 

[W.E.D 11,070]

1 hour ago, cole256 said:

Whoever does this and legitimately have the kids in mind and don't try to exploit will be the person that comes out on top

I'm not really sure how they can exploit kids.  I mean they might try, but it should be the kids getting they money.  Not a cut to anyone

[cole256 17,039]

8 minutes ago, W.E.D said:

I'm not really sure how they can exploit kids.  I mean they might try, but it should be the kids getting they money.  Not a cut to anyone

I mean you would think before everything, I don't see how you can tell a kid he create videos and get money for it if he's doing everything legitimately.....But it happened. Who knows of the creative ways they will come up with to screw the people they want

[McLoofus 35,182]

29 minutes ago, cole256 said:

I mean you would think before everything, I don't see how you can tell a kid he create videos and get money for it if he's doing everything legitimately.....But it happened. Who knows of the creative ways they will come up with to screw the people they want

I mean, Kemp just signed something in GA saying that kids can earn on NIL but the schools get to keep more than half of it, right? Did I read or remember that wrong?

[DAG 33,955]

1 minute ago, McLoofus said:

I mean, Kemp just signed something in GA saying that kids can earn on NIL but the schools get to keep more than half of it, right? Did I read or remember that wrong?

and this is exactly why I asked how much does UGA get when people were so excited about them putting out something so early. I don’t know how accurate your statement is but once again that sounds like one of those new artist “360” Deals.

 

[McLoofus 35,182]

6 minutes ago, DAG said:

and this is exactly why I asked how much does UGA get when people were so excited about them putting out something so early. I don’t know how accurate your statement is but once again that sounds like one of those new artist “360” Deals.

Here it is. Not exactly the school keeping the money, and it's the school's choice, but I can't see any way in which this is a free market concept with the best interests of the player earning that money in mind. 

Quote

However, the new legislation contains a twist. Schools can require athletes to pool up to 74.99% of their money earned in an escrow account that would then be shared with other athletes. However, it would not be able to be withdrawn until a year after they graduate/leave school. 

It is up to the schools whether or not they instate this requirement.

https://www.si.com/college/2021/05/06/georgia-kemp-signs-name-image-and-likeness-bill-pool-resditribution-law

[W.E.D 11,070]

43 minutes ago, McLoofus said:

I mean, Kemp just signed something in GA saying that kids can earn on NIL but the schools get to keep more than half of it, right? Did I read or remember that wrong?

I don't believe it is the schools can keep it, it is they can distribute it to other players.

I honestly don't see Football programs doing that, and at worst it is giving a portion to other teammates....which wouldn't be bad to even out start QB/OL

[Proud Tiger 4,261]

FWIW looks like AU/Greene is all in.

Auburn preparing to help players ‘make some money’ when Alabama NIL law goes into effect - al.com

[cole256 17,039]

53 minutes ago, McLoofus said:

I mean, Kemp just signed something in GA saying that kids can earn on NIL but the schools get to keep more than half of it, right? Did I read or remember that wrong?

Lol. It's just so crazy to me....hate the thought of young black kids having money. This society is all messed up. Won't be right until minorities get the chance to run stuff too

[McLoofus 35,182]

Just now, cole256 said:

Lol. It's just so crazy to me....hate the thought of young black kids having money. This society is all messed up. Won't be right until minorities get the chance to run stuff too

Actual, literal socialism endorsed by Georgia's Republican governor. You can't make this stuff up. 

[W.E.D 11,070]

3 minutes ago, McLoofus said:

Actual, literal socialism endorsed by Georgia's Republican governor. You can't make this stuff up. 

It's pretty hilarious to me.  I just can't help see they are in favor of redistribution when the people earning the money are minorities.