Could COVID-19 reduce the influence of bagmen? What, then, becomes more important?
I'm not entirely sure where bagmen are sourced, but almost everything has taken a hit as a result of COVID-19. As a result, I was wondering which college pitches stand a better chance without bagmen in the picture. For example, do Michigan academics get a bigger bump? Does proximity to the school matter even more?
So far, just off the top of my head, there doesn't seem to be much impact, especially with distance. 'Bama got that DT out of Michigan's backyard and Michigan got Worthy all the way from Cali. Maybe, however, that is because COVID-19 really took hold in Feb/March and the money for 2021 recruits was already sourced.
Maybe.... maybe not.
Your underlying premise that sourcing the money is difficult is just way off.
I'm not saying that it's difficult, I'm saying that it's now prohibitively painful.
With so many business needing to drastically scale back operations, especially non-essential consumer goods-type stuff, I'm betting that it's harder for bagmen to afford the cash bundles to kids because their businesses are imploding.
Right now, it's something like 80% of the US stock market's value is based on the skyrocketing value of 3-4 Silicon Valley companies. Everyone else is really hurting. So I thought it stands to reason that the bagmen's businesses are hurting, also.
How has OSU been doing? That would be a clue
What is possible for the 2021 class is that they were paid prior to the crises really setting in. If that's the case, we'd really see the impact for the 2022 class.
August 4th, 2020 at 11:11 AM ^
Yet they have the top or one of the top classes already for '22. So now what is your idea
I'm no bagmen expert. Maybe they've already paid that far in advance, or if not, these guys are genuinely still in play.
No, nothing will take the place of money for most people
I almost wonder if it would be beneficial if Michigan was the first big school to just come out and say that because we are worried about the safety of our athletes, we will not be playing this year. I think it would really resonate with a lot of the parents of a lot of the types of kids we are recruiting down the line. Big college willing to give up tons of money for the safety for your kids goes a long way... We arent going to be playing anyway...
Nah, especially not for the kids with NFL potential who aren't yet ready for the NFL. Playing and being seen by NFL scouts is paramount for the pay day down the road.
August 4th, 2020 at 10:21 AM ^
I guarantee those discussions are already being held in Schlissel's office.
August 4th, 2020 at 11:00 AM ^
It won't be beneficial because when many of their athletes get corona anyways, it will be clear that the decision wasn't really made with safety in mind.
I think this is applicable:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betteridge%27s_law_of_headlines
So, no. I think there's still plenty of money floating around. Where it's most abundant people are less likely to be following public health guidelines. In fact, the bag man gradient might be larger than it was pre-COVID.
By not following guidelines, I would figure there's still an impact, albeit a delayed one (when there's a systemic economic impact spurred by so many deaths). Still a 'no?'
I could've stated that better.
For economic reasons there may be less money floating around everywhere. I was thinking more in terms of ratios than absolute numbers.
Talking out of my arse (i.e., speculating without much knowledge) I'd guess that:
- SEC bag men might be more likely to maintain their routines in a more relaxed COVID atmosphere.
- Bag manning is a more valued institution down there and is less likely to be sacrificed.
Maybe the gifts would be smaller, but they'd shrink less in the SEC than in the Big Ten.
August 4th, 2020 at 10:04 AM ^
Thanks for the clarification. If I understand you properly, then the bagmen's influence has shrunk, because their gifts have grown smaller. My premise is that Michigan doesn't have an organized group of bagmen, so they were a non-factor to begin with. As such, doesn't this now emphasize the other draws of a school? The academics, &c.? And as such, wouldn't that put Michigan in a better position to recruit?
August 4th, 2020 at 10:57 AM ^
Sure -- I can see that for a certain number of recruits (ones for whom the high academic ranking of Michigan would make a meaningful difference in their life ... guys on the level of Noah Furbush).
Can’t give $100 handshakes if you can’t shake hands...
It appears as though the concentration of talent is going to continue to increase-which I see as problematic for the well-being of interscholastic athletics.
August 4th, 2020 at 10:05 AM ^
Why does the increased concentration of talent bode unwell?
August 4th, 2020 at 10:13 AM ^
Venmo doesn't require you to get near anyone to transfer $$. You can always place the cash under a rock by the front porch, too. Where there is a will, there is a way.
August 4th, 2020 at 11:48 AM ^
We all must make sacrifices in these times. Bama and OSU players will probably understand they need to accept the pay cut and drive Wranglers instead of Range Rovers.