SPONSOR NOTE: Those Who Stay
Pushing back to the top.
From the Editor:
The system as it is will not be the system forever, but it will be the system under which Michigan goes into 2024 and what follows. If we can raise enough now, bring back enough, this gets to keep going. The more who stay the more will want to. -Seth
From Jake Butt:
From Jared Wangler:
We need your help to keep our team. Last year, Champions Circle® launched the One More Year Fund to support key Michigan players like Blake Corum, Trevor Keegan, and Zak Zinter who elected to return to Michigan for One More Year. Now, we’re launching the Those Who Stay NIL Campaign.
Our rivals are coming after many of our key players, trying to induce them to leave Michigan. It's time for the Michigan Family to show our players how much we appreciate them and want them back in Maize and Blue!
To keep the momentum going, please contribute now.
January 6th, 2024 at 5:21 PM ^
Question from someone not really following the portal - is the premise of this a real threat? Are our rivals trying to steal our players? Or is it that there are other opportunities (e.g. NFL) that might take our players away? Regardless, I want our guys to stay and get rewarded for it. Just the premise seemed fear mongering vs lets reward our guys for staying. Genuinely curious!
January 6th, 2024 at 5:33 PM ^
It is a real threat. They're eyeing a championship team with major difference-makers at their areas of need. They're seeing a school that let Hunter Dickinson go to Kansas for money. They're seeing an NCAA that has zero interest in going after anyone for tampering or using NIL as an inducement however much they say the opposite in public, and less than zero interest when it's Michigan who's getting tampered with. The players have agents now, paid by percentage, who are thus primarily motivated by the final dollar amount, and are working on their clients to put that above all else. We have some NFL decisions from the coach and several star players that could hinge on who sticks around. If we get this cascading in the right direction...
I won't tell anyone what to do. I wont tell anyone what their priorities should be. But you asked, and there's your answer.
January 6th, 2024 at 8:46 PM ^
Ehhh. Basketball is one thing. But it seems Michigan’s returning football stars were compensated pretty well.
January 6th, 2024 at 10:45 PM ^
Mackbro, are you doubting Seth, Wrangler, and Butt? They got paid last year because a lot of money was raised. Now our biggest fundraiser from Champions Circle was kicked out after the NCAA investigation and were behind the 8 ball.
January 11th, 2024 at 4:33 PM ^
No, I don’t think they are lying. I think they are fundraising in a typical way.
The main theme of every fundraising plea is: If you don’t give us more money, the sky will fall.
The sky didn’t fall last year. It won’t fall this year. Give if you can. But money won’t be a problem for a program like Michigan.
January 6th, 2024 at 10:08 PM ^
Thanks, Seth
January 7th, 2024 at 12:25 AM ^
Fuck the poachers! Unless it's us. Then go poachers!
January 11th, 2024 at 11:46 AM ^
My biggest problem here is this (and I am sure Harbaugh agrees):
There are long term multi-billion TV contract that enrich everyone but the players. Coaches are overpaid. Bureaucracies expand to enormous levels of overpaid paper pushers who add little. The corrupt NCAA gets theirs. But, for the players to benefit from this obscene gravy train, we, the fans, have to dig into our pockets. And we will because (aside from the exploited players) we are the only ones here who are motivated by passion and love.
January 6th, 2024 at 5:42 PM ^
Their goal is $1M. Why not just tack on $1-5 to every ticket next season?
Also - why not offer stadium tours or pics with some of the athletes in exchange for donations?
January 6th, 2024 at 6:04 PM ^
That sounds like the school's money. The school can't pay the players. Pictures with players and autograph signings are events that the NIL collectives put on.
January 6th, 2024 at 7:20 PM ^
While I agree the current system prevents schools from being directly involved, I recall a recent NCAA suggestion that schools could be involved in NIL in the future.
Tampering, and reaching out to players early - is prohibited? Wow, that’s news…
Glad the NCAA is enforcing Pay for Play and other guidelines.
Oh, just wondering if any cheeseburgers were served during Manning’s $ 800K OV to Texas.
January 6th, 2024 at 10:03 PM ^
The schools that are Michigan can’t pay the players.
January 6th, 2024 at 11:22 PM ^
Don’t agree. They could offer an optional “Sponsor add-on” with ticket purchases of $100 for each season ticket. Champions Circle could be a sponsor for the cost of “$1” to pay for the opportunity to get to market to the season ticket holders. Then you immediately have $6M.
January 7th, 2024 at 1:38 PM ^
As of right now, that's not permitted. You're still paying that fee to the athletic department.
January 7th, 2024 at 5:45 PM ^
That sounds an awful lot like the money is still coming from the school. Which cannot contribute to NIL funds.
January 6th, 2024 at 5:50 PM ^
Did my (small) bit. This team is worth support. Good players and good people.
January 6th, 2024 at 6:39 PM ^
We've got bigger things to worry about
January 6th, 2024 at 7:47 PM ^
Harbaugh may leave and he may stay. But he is NOT working on his departure right now. Standard troll BS.
January 6th, 2024 at 8:46 PM ^
I’d like to think so but his statement was pretty much wait until next week so this tracks.
January 7th, 2024 at 5:51 PM ^
Wait until next week doesn’t mean he’s going to the NFL. It means he’s focused on getting the team ready for a national championship game and he’s not talking about any future plans until next week after the game. One track mind.
January 6th, 2024 at 8:41 PM ^
If he gets the right offer, he’s going. Pretty obvious. Nothing we can do about it. And he left the house in order.
January 6th, 2024 at 8:46 PM ^
I do remember when he said last year he was done with the NFL. Things change I suppose.
January 7th, 2024 at 1:47 AM ^
I think this is a "she didn't dump me, I dumper her" type of response after those Minnesota Vikings shenanigans.
A lot has changed in one crazy year.
January 8th, 2024 at 8:46 AM ^
Getting suspended 6 games for two nonsense investigations that are both still ongoing and could lead to further suspension qualifies as a very defensible “things change” to me, unfortunately.
January 6th, 2024 at 8:31 PM ^
I contributed what I could. Might contribute a bit more on Monday.
Hunter Dickinson definitely made the smart move to move on for money. But, for those looking at the basketball team as to why it is so bad, it's not just because of Howard.
Every little bit counts.
January 6th, 2024 at 8:55 PM ^
Everyone has $30.24 to give (or $45.23 or $42.27).
Living in Ohio, this team has given me and my kids more joy that I can describe.
Go Blue! Let’s keep it going
January 7th, 2024 at 4:49 PM ^
Nice. Add those together and give ~$118?
January 11th, 2024 at 6:11 PM ^
Or maybe $144?
January 6th, 2024 at 10:03 PM ^
If Ryan Day can donate $30.24, we can all throw in a few bucks.
It’s the current environment of college football like it or not.
January 7th, 2024 at 7:17 AM ^
exactly this... its like not voting and then bitching about who was elected... Vote for the WOLVERINES.....GO BLUE!
January 6th, 2024 at 10:07 PM ^
How did Seth post this from the future!?!
January 6th, 2024 at 10:30 PM ^
contributed
January 6th, 2024 at 11:24 PM ^
Contributed $100. For those going to the game and spending >$1k and not contributing, tisk tisk
January 6th, 2024 at 11:24 PM ^
Just donated $250. The One More Year campaign was an unqualified success. Let's keep it going.
January 7th, 2024 at 12:40 AM ^
There was a time... I think it was 4 years ago... It was approx. 2020... Twenty Twenty was a bad year... for many reasons... But it was about that time, when I can't remember who was transfering out, but it was not nearly the first. I am serious so I am double spacing now. Then I proffered: Those that stay, will be the ones that remain.
It was a shit show. I think 'Bama won that year. We went in the drink... but they won so many times, I can't even keep track. UM just slayed the dragon. 'Bama was the senior dragon, Georgia was the junior dragon, & OSU was just business as usual. I just want to take this time, to admit, that I may have been wrong about what the future held. But no man knows the future. And to this I say: Those who stay will be champions!
January 7th, 2024 at 1:14 AM ^
Glenlivet?
January 7th, 2024 at 11:44 AM ^
On the rocks
January 7th, 2024 at 12:23 PM ^
Ok wealthy multi millionaires, let's see those Benjamins.
I'm poor, and already buy Michigan crap that I don't need. If I try and give money, I will have to break into my kid's piggy bank.
There are plenty of you multi million Michigan Alums that can afford to give a little!
And, if you are feeling extra giving, how about giving me some, I don't need much, just one or two mil, so I can start my dream!!!
January 7th, 2024 at 1:32 PM ^
It’s $25 min. Do the math. This goes directly to the players. This $1 million is supplementing what big donors contribute.
Notre Dame has $20 million for their team.
You are a shit fan if this is the stance you take. I get if $25 means something to you no shame there. But if you buy merch get a grip.
January 7th, 2024 at 7:15 PM ^
such a weird attitude. fans can spend how money however they wish, but families take priority over players.
January 7th, 2024 at 1:58 PM ^
I'm poor, and already buy Michigan crap that I don't need
your priorities are fucked up if you have to go into your kids piggy bank for $25 while walking around in recently purchased M gear
January 7th, 2024 at 2:12 PM ^
100%
January 7th, 2024 at 2:23 PM ^
Was told that Harbaugh burned the boats and Will not be returning to A2 after game. All or none.
January 7th, 2024 at 3:46 PM ^
I donated to Those Who Stay. While I was at it, I donated to MGoBlog Beveled Guilt.
Go Blue
January 7th, 2024 at 4:29 PM ^
I would love to help out, and even sent out an email to Brian back on the 25th: Brain Storming - MGoBlog Scholarship/NIL.
Please have him review the high-level email, let's see how we can put everything in motion, and secure our team.
Also, I am trying to involve Rich Eisen, as well as Charles Woodson, and anyone who can assist with our efforts.
January 7th, 2024 at 6:49 PM ^
Just donated.
thanks for the nudge!
Let’s go win a national championship!
January 7th, 2024 at 7:19 PM ^
I did my part.
January 7th, 2024 at 8:12 PM ^
We hear about our NIL woes…well, here’s our chance to do something about it.
I gave my $100…let’s keep this train rolling!! Feels great to give back to these young men and the program (although a small amount, it all adds up)!!
January 8th, 2024 at 12:17 AM ^
I am in, I hope we hit our goal