re: NIL and Shaq

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Why do people think NIL is actually for advertising? Very few NIL deals are legit. The vast majority are pay for play by boosters funneled through businesses.

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I fully understand that deals between businesses and players will be a small fraction of NIL payments for major programs. However, they will be the best that many G5 schools can offer. And maybe you didn’t notice, but the deals our players had this year were all these kinds of arrangements. I’m sure the percentage is about to shift toward pay for play to starters and key reserves, but the smaller deals aren’t going to disappear. It’s completely shortsighted to think so.

Players who don’t have the biggest deals will absolutely use things like autograph signings at local businesses, appearances and sponsored camps to make their own bread. Why the frick wouldn’t they? It’s basically picking up free money. As for the businesses, they will get a PR win for supporting the home team and they get some new people in their doors. That’s worth a few thousand in ad dollars, especially if the business owner is a fan.

Some of you seem to be stuck on the idea of companies running ad campaigns. That wouldn’t really make sense. However, something like an autograph signing at your business costs very little to put on and will come with some kind of percentage of the player’s take, plus just the benefit of bringing in potential new customers. And all kinds of local businesses sponsor events, high school sports, minor league sports, etc. Do you think there is some massive ROI for those deals? I wouldn’t see a camp sponsorship with an LSU player’s name attached any differently.

This won’t end, even if it takes a backseat to bigger payouts.