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NIL and Waning Fandom - Hypothetical New College Football Format

Posted on 1/8/26 at 3:00 pm
Posted by MC5601
Tyler, Texas
Member since Jan 2010
4251 posts
Posted on 1/8/26 at 3:00 pm
With all the NIL turmoil and mercenary teams, I've had a thought about if CFB were to split into professional teams and true college teams like we are used to historically. I find my fandom in LSU waning and am getting to the point where I don't care too much about our current team/players due to the insane roster turnover year to year

I wonder if there would ever be a way to have a CFB league that operated under the old rules where the athletes were not paid and had limited transfer opportunity. Even if the quality of play was lower, I would be much more inclined to root and pay to attend games that were played by actual college students who care about the university rather than a paycheck. Do you think anything like this could be implemented?

I know this would never realistically happen but one can dream. I miss the feeling of caring about our football team and it seems the passion in the fanbase is largely gone
Posted by Harry Caray
Denial
Member since Aug 2009
20529 posts
Posted on 1/8/26 at 3:01 pm to
Ivy League football already exists


ETA: high school football can also be very rewarding to follow and watch. And no fricking 4 minute commercial breaks
This post was edited on 1/8/26 at 3:03 pm
Posted by MrWalkingMan
Republic of West Florida
Member since Aug 2010
8038 posts
Posted on 1/8/26 at 3:03 pm to
Creation of an NFL development league will bring about your vision but will never happen because it would only lose money, and college football as a de facto minor league for the nfl prints money and drives interest at no cost to the NFL
Posted by deathvalleytiger10
Member since Sep 2009
9153 posts
Posted on 1/8/26 at 3:03 pm to
quote:

Do you think anything like this could be implemented?


Nope, not the system you describe.

Just make them employees, and sign them to multi-year contracts like the NFL does.

They get paid but don't get yearly free agency.

Win-Win.
Posted by Who_Dat_Tiger
Member since Nov 2015
24938 posts
Posted on 1/8/26 at 3:04 pm to
If that really is your cup of tea you can find DII and DIII games online I’m sure. First find a program then visit their site. If you want a powerhouse to root for as a starting point there is Ferris State in DII and Mount Union in DIII
Posted by MC5601
Tyler, Texas
Member since Jan 2010
4251 posts
Posted on 1/8/26 at 3:05 pm to
quote:

If that really is your cup of tea you can find DII and DIII games online I’m sure. First find a program then visit their site. If you want a powerhouse to root for as a starting point there is Ferris State in DII and Mount Union in DIII


DII and DIII are toast as well. Any decent player who has a good season transfers to a DI so there's no continuity there either
Posted by atltiger6487
Member since May 2011
19887 posts
Posted on 1/8/26 at 3:06 pm to
quote:

Just make them employees, and sign them to multi-year contracts like the NFL does.
we already have a pro league (which I don't watch).

We don't need another.
Posted by deathvalleytiger10
Member since Sep 2009
9153 posts
Posted on 1/8/26 at 3:29 pm to
quote:

we already have a pro league (which I don't watch).

We don't need another.


You think today's college football player is not a pro? They get paid like a pro. They certainly aren't amateurs.
Posted by Gnash
Cypress, Tx
Member since Oct 2015
10186 posts
Posted on 1/8/26 at 3:33 pm to
quote:

find my fandom in LSU waning and am getting to the point where I don't care too much about our current team/players due to the insane roster turnover year to year

TV ratings and revenue continue to climb. Despite so many griping about the state of cfb, the sport continues to grow.
Posted by MC5601
Tyler, Texas
Member since Jan 2010
4251 posts
Posted on 1/8/26 at 3:38 pm to
quote:

TV ratings and revenue continue to climb. Despite so many griping about the state of cfb, the sport continues to grow.


People may watch on TV but the fan fervor is significantly diminished from what it was 5-6 years ago.

I'm sure there are many people like me who still watch their team but aren't very invested anymore. I used to watch just about every SEC game and now I don't really care much

It would also to be interesting to see how these changes have impacted memorabilia sales. Only speaking for myself, I used to buy tons of LSU football gear (hats, shirts, etc.) but don't really care to spend the money anymore
This post was edited on 1/8/26 at 3:39 pm
Posted by Dizz
Member since May 2008
16010 posts
Posted on 1/8/26 at 3:48 pm to
quote:

I would be much more inclined to root and pay to attend games that were played by actual college students who care about the university rather than a paycheck.


Tv ratings and interest in the sport would indicate that you are an outlier.
Posted by White Tiger
Dallas
Member since Jul 2007
15538 posts
Posted on 1/8/26 at 3:49 pm to
This is a pleasant fiction. Isn’t it?
Posted by TigersJump
In a land far far away
Member since Feb 2018
3880 posts
Posted on 1/8/26 at 3:53 pm to
Hunt and fish
Posted by MC5601
Tyler, Texas
Member since Jan 2010
4251 posts
Posted on 1/8/26 at 4:00 pm to
quote:

Tv ratings and interest in the sport would indicate that you are an outlier.


The world may be driven by ratings but these are not "passionate" fans. The only thing I could think of that is boosting ratings are NFL fans and sports bettors.

I don't know a single person who is MORE inclined to watch the current product than pre-NIL and transfer portal. I know a whole lot of people who watch less CFB than before
Posted by AlwysATgr
Member since Apr 2008
20345 posts
Posted on 1/8/26 at 4:45 pm to
quote:

TV ratings and revenue continue to climb. Despite so many griping about the state of cfb, the sport continues to grow.


It will be interesting to see if this is sustainable. IMO, it is fueled by the expanded playoff and momentum.

But CFB of today is headed towards MiNFL.
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