Now is the time for NIL
I see a lot of complaints about NIL. Now is the time to put your money to solving the problem. I am not a big donor but give $50 a month. Just think if roughly 50,000 season ticker holders each gave $50 a month each that would be $30 million a year. Don't have $50 to spare? How about $10 a month? Rather than waiting from Ross or some other rich Alumni, if all Michigan fans gave just a little it would make a big difference. I know this sounds like a Jerry Lewis telethon and does not solve the pay for play problem, but it sure would help with retention.
Here is where I give - https://www.championscircleuofm.com/support
January 2nd, 2024 at 10:50 PM ^
If I had an extra $10, $20, $50 a month I would rather put it in my kids college fund. I have more reason to invest in my kids than somebody else’s kids who would already be getting a scholarship for football.
January 2nd, 2024 at 11:04 PM ^
Dave Portnoy has a couple hundred million dollars and is as big of a Michigan football fan as anyone. He could land a few 5 stars in each class
January 3rd, 2024 at 4:58 AM ^
This one is most surprising to me if he isn't in any major way funding guys in a way UM has no issue with. I know his site/company interviews players so maybe he pays them for the interview but I'd expect him to be a big NIL contributor for UM.
Shit, he bought Travis Hunter for Deion, IIRC. I don't know why he doesn't tell a kid that after his Freshman season he'll have X amount of money. I would even ok the timeframe with the HC. Jim is ok with it after fall camp? Freshman year? Whatever he felt was ok, I'd tell the kid it's his at that point.
I totally get Michigan's stance, btw. You don't want a team of mercenaries and you don't want a true freshman walking in with millions as guys that have bled for the team have a fraction of that. Human nature is exactly that so it would hurt your desired culture. Yet, I'm surprised there aren't more or higher dollar guarantees for when they've established themselves. They do well! Don't get me wrong but if Portnoy isn't already dumping a ton into that you can color me shocked...and I haven't heard that he is.
I think you can compete with the immediate payments a bit better with more public displays of established guys getting bank. It should be much more known across the country that UM gets you paid. Maybe not day 1 but they get you paid and make up for that on the back end. That's where a Portnoy could help a lot.
January 3rd, 2024 at 6:47 PM ^
I rather donate to academic scholarships to be frank, I already spend a ton of money going to the games.