How many Syracuse fans are there?

[Sbucketball]

Here’s the thing that’s really changed. It used to be “how can we compete with these teams building Taj mahals…etc.”

Those schools have pivoted quickly. They no longer need / want money for facilities. They want $ for players.

Gone are the days of huge capitol projects for student athletes. Now it’s a straight cash deal.

I know it hard to do, but every $3M gift for Lally is $3M I’d rather have go into a collective. The pitch is essentially the same - we need $ to attract better players…but now instead of a building- it’s cash in someone’s pocket.

I know that is a much harder sell for some…but it’s the reality we live in.

Ask a player if he’d rather have a workout room with 20 Xboxes, or $25k in his pocket…and I know what they’ll say.

Got find a way to dial back the extras in exchange for Cold hard cash.

That means SU will need less money, so if people want to reallocate donations from SU to NIL, it would be worthwhile. SU will hate it, but what you wrote is absolutely true.

 

[Sbucketball]

This is what I was saying in another thread. 5 bucks a month with even 35k fans... that's 175k a month.. that adds up quick. Hell what if it was 12 bucks every year? A dollar a month.. that's 420k a year.

A subscription model is a really good idea. Set it up so people could join for $10/month or whatever small amount, and then say they're part of a NIL club and send them a tshirt once per year or prints or something. People will set automatic payments and forget about it, just like their netflix etc. subscriptions.

 

[cliftonparksufan]

Dean came out with a new pod tonight. Anyone worried about NIL needs to listen. A very different narrative than what’s coming from the local billionaire, the Edwards family, and our .com boys.

The last day to enter the portal is May 11th. The last day to decide about the NBA is June 1st. So basically in just over a month at the latest, we will know how effective the NIL program is with Judah.

And if he leaves, God bless him, but we will still need to see how effective it is with his replacement and Jesse's replacement.

 

[cliftonparksufan]

People will set automatic payments and forget about it, just like their netflix etc. subscriptions.

Exactly how places like Planet Fitness is able to be profitable. And places like Hoffman's car wash with their monthly membership. The guy is raking in the dough.

 

[Cusefan0307]

The last day to enter the portal is May 11th. The last day to decide about the NBA is June 1st. So basically in just over a month at the latest, we will know how effective the NIL program is with Judah.

And if he leaves, God bless him, but we will still need to see how effective it is with his replacement and Jesse's replacement.

Ehhh...There's other things that will decide these events besides NIL.

 

[cliftonparksufan]

Ehhh...There's other things that will decide these events besides NIL.

Yes, but Jesse left because of money. If Judah leaves its because of opportunity (to make money). So we need to backfill by spending money.

Could we have money at our disposal and not get any takers (or at least the takers we want). Absolutely. But the most successful programs are going to be the ones who are able to navigate through the murky waters.

 

[Jasoncuse]

That means SU will need less money, so if people want to reallocate donations from SU to NIL, it would be worthwhile. SU will hate it, but what you wrote is absolutely true.

If folks start changing their donations from direct to the school to direct to the NIL collective, it shouldn't be the worst thing in the world for SU. There's also the belief that some of those funds could recouped with better teams, resulting in better performance, higher ticket sales, concessions, merch, yada yada yada. Of course, how the school allocates their net revenues would likely need to change, but things need to change anyhow...

 

[Jasoncuse]

A subscription model is a really good idea. Set it up so people could join for $10/month or whatever small amount, and then say they're part of a NIL club and send them a tshirt once per year or prints or something. People will set automatic payments and forget about it, just like their netflix etc. subscriptions.

I will happily change my overpriced cable package or cut some streaming services simply to reallocate that cash into an NIL subscription. I'm much more likely to donate to that method than a 1x gift, as I'm sure others are too.

 

[bt4421]

Not only do many people feel there are better uses for their money, but I’m sure some folks feel there’s a bit of a cringe-element to this whole thing as well.

Grown men using their own money to help pay for random 20 year olds to play sports… I mean, giving $100 to help pay Judah Mintz when he’s very likely to be a millionaire in about 18 months might feel kind of weird to some.

THIS. You stated my feelings better than I did Glad to help pay for his scholarship through support of going to games, but that's enough.

 

[IthacaBarrel]

It's the 2 dollar window that keeps race tracks open. It's the dollar slots that keep casino's open. Whales are great. But blocking and tackling win games. I also think there are a lot more than 100k Syracuse fans.

100%.

 

[Eric15]

Posts complaining about our ability to compete in the NIL market due to lack of resources and then following it up with I can't give $100/year from my recreational budget to help produce a better product because (insert random excuse) are my new favorite posts.

Times are tough for a lot of Americans right now and budgets are stretched thin. From groceries to fuel to rent, everything costs more. If you're a Central New York family with a modest household income, being asked to give $100 to pay an athlete, when you could use that money to save for retirement, fund your kids college account, or give to an actual charity like Make-a-Wish, etc. is a big ask.

I'm sensing a lot of tone-deafness in this thread.

 

[JustPherU]

A subscription model is a really good idea. Set it up so people could join for $10/month or whatever small amount, and then say they're part of a NIL club and send them a tshirt once per year or prints or something. People will set automatic payments and forget about it, just like their netflix etc. subscriptions.

I think you nailed it, I pay a few bucks a month for Peacock channel just so I don’t miss a Yankee game.Probably stupid of me, but when I want to watch the Yankees I know I can and I don’t even think about the few bucks they take every month.

 

[Charbroil]

Times are tough for a lot of Americans right now and budgets are stretched thin. From groceries to fuel to rent, everything costs more. If you're a Central New York family with a modest household income, being asked to give $100 to pay an athlete, when you could use that money to save for retirement, fund your kids college account, or give to an actual charity like Make-a-Wish, etc. is a big ask.

I'm sensing a lot of tone-deafness in this thread.

This is 100% spot-on. There was some statistic a couple years ago that nearly half of Americans couldn’t afford to pay a $400 emergency out-of-pocket if something unexpectedly came up. I doubt those folks are prioritizing giving money to pay Syracuse athletes.

 

[JRHEETER]

A lot of reply’s about what the school should do with ticket sales etc

The only rule basically for NIL is that schools can not collect the money and give it to the student athlete

That’s why you have Athletes Who Care, 315 Foundation, FineMess Collective, ELITE NIL etc

If schools could collect the money and give to NIL, I truly believe Syracuse would be in a VERY strong position

Which is why it’s so important to donate to one’s like 315 or FineMess. Both of those collectives will literally take just $10.

It might not seem like a lot but again, if everyone on here put in even just $10 a year, it would be a pretty big help….

Imagine if everyone donated $44???

I’m not even talking about $100 per person…that’s a lot and I get it

 

[pfister1]

Said this before, but we need to move towards a model where the kids that play college ball are there because they want to pursue higher education and have a special talent that allows them to receive that education at reduced cost or free.

Move away from the model where schools are bringing in athletes that have no interest in the education. Instead establish a true professional minor league system for those kids that have no interest in the education......like baseball did a long time ago.

For me its about the "S" on the Jersey. If the athletes/teams are highly competitive with the others schools they play, but no longer have the best athletes in the sport (because they have gone to a minor league) I am more than ok with that.

 

[DoctahLexus]

This is all moving too fast for me to feel comfortable about giving money. I am in a very average place financially (mostly due to not yet having wife and kids) but would not feel comfortable about contributing in this fashion until the dust settles on what is allowed, limits and regulations on the money amounts in these deals, and most importantly, will the school and program truly be giving their all on going after top talent. If they aren't willing to do or pay what is necessary for players that meet the standard of Syracuse basketball, then I would feel like Im throwing money away.

Also if it really the only thing that brings in talent is which program can have the best bake sale and push the rules just enough, then I don't think I can enjoy college bball in the future. I do not want to engage in a which fanbase is wealthiest contest if that contest truly determines which teams do well. I will spend plenty on tickets to support Red in his first year no matter what. Beyond that is a huge question mark.

 

[Cusefan69]

A lot of reply’s about what the school should do with ticket sales etc

The only rule basically for NIL is that schools can not collect the money and give it to the student athlete

That’s why you have Athletes Who Care, 315 Foundation, FineMess Collective, ELITE NIL etc

If schools could collect the money and give to NIL, I truly believe Syracuse would be in a VERY strong position

Which is why it’s so important to donate to one’s like 315 or FineMess. Both of those collectives will literally take just $10.

It might not seem like a lot but again, if everyone on here put in even just $10 a year, it would be a pretty big help….

Imagine if everyone donated $44???

I’m not even talking about $100 per person…that’s a lot and I get it

So when buying services often companies have partners and you can get redirected to the partner site. If Syracuse can't figure out legally a path to weave tickets and collections for Nil, then find a secure way to allow for a redirect at the time of purchase. There is I am sure a way. For me it's about convenience. If I am doing something like buying season tickets and donating, find a creative way so I can do it at one time and be done with it.

 

[Orangezoo]

This is all moving too fast for me to feel comfortable about giving money. I am in a very average place financially (mostly due to not yet having wife and kids) but would not feel comfortable about contributing in this fashion until the dust settles on what is allowed, limits and regulations on the money amounts in these deals, and most importantly, will the school and program truly be giving their all on going after top talent. If they aren't willing to do or pay what is necessary for players that meet the standard of Syracuse basketball, then I would feel like Im throwing money away.

Also if it really the only thing that brings in talent is which program can have the best bake sale and push the rules just enough, then I don't think I can enjoy college bball in the future. I do not want to engage in a which fanbase is wealthiest contest if that contest truly determines which teams do well. I will spend plenty on tickets to support Red in his first year no matter what. Beyond that is a huge question mark.

This is all a personal decision. I don't feel anyone is disrespectful of that notion at all. The reality is that for those passionate about having NIL that competes for top guys its fair to ask those of that opinion to do their part to help as little as it may be. Fair to ask vs requiring( in the social context not legal) are two very different things. For those who don't care as much to be a big player in this NIL version of college sports it's not really fair to ask for anything all the same.

End of the day no one is expecting those who don't or can't to do anything here. We don't have demographics on these different segments of our fanbase so we don't really know what the makeup is of potential contributors who are passionate, willing and able.

 

[Col. Bleep]

Times are tough for a lot of Americans right now and budgets are stretched thin. From groceries to fuel to rent, everything costs more. If you're a Central New York family with a modest household income, being asked to give $100 to pay an athlete, when you could use that money to save for retirement, fund your kids college account, or give to an actual charity like Make-a-Wish, etc. is a big ask.

I'm sensing a lot of tone-deafness in this thread.

Right.
There's no reason to leave anyone out.

A collective can set levels for donors...perhaps with a perk at each level.
Anything from a buck on up is fine...whatever someone wants to give.
And the collective can spend time focusing on potential whales.

The movment of donations from athletic departments to collectives is a potential problem and a major point of the NY Times article posted here earlier.

 

[rrlbees]

So when buying services often companies have partners and you can get redirected to the partner site. If Syracuse can't figure out legally a path to weave tickets and collections for Nil, then find a secure way to allow for a redirect at the time of purchase. There is I am sure a way. For me it's about convenience. If I am doing something like buying season tickets and donating, find a creative way so I can do it at one time and be done with it.

Is it really that inconvenient to click on the link below and donate? Takes less than a minute.

315 Foundation, Inc. - Official Athletics Website

The official athletics website for the 315 Foundation, Inc.

315foundation.org

 

[Orangezoo]

Is it really that inconvenient to click on the link below and donate? Takes less than a minute.

315 Foundation, Inc. - Official Athletics Website

The official athletics website for the 315 Foundation, Inc.

315foundation.org

All they really need or someone equivalent is to add a subscription component here and then work on blasting this out more.

 

[MSOrange]

This is a pretty good listing of the various collectives at each school. It takes a couple clicks to get to each website, but gives an idea on how they are set up around the country as far as donation tiers, benefits, etc

NIL Collectives | On3.com

A list of NIL collectives. A school-specific NIL Collective is typically made up of deep-pocketed fans and alumni.

www.on3.com

 

[Red Holzman]

Would be interesting to see a poll of fans regarding perception of NIL, willingness to give, and projected range of donation (possibly nationally for all programs). Don't know how the poll could be done, but may address the speculation regarding where NIL $ may come from.

As a small fish, I appreciate those embracing the challenge of NIL and also the whales willing to fund it.
I hope the efforts/funding successfully supports maintaining competitive SU sports programs.

That said, I'm repelled by the Wild West nature of the whole thing.
Based on principle, no interest in involvement at any level. This stuff "moved my cheese".
I hope SU sports can still be enjoyed by the fans who prefer to tune out all the NIL stuff.
Call me a freeloader or unenlightened, but the NIL Wild West really turns me off.
It's a distraction -similar to when pro sports pushes agendas while you just want to escape in a game.

Again -much appreciation to those of you rolling with this trying to raise funds, and donating.

 

[Cusefan69]

Is it really that inconvenient to click on the link below and donate? Takes less than a minute.

315 Foundation, Inc. - Official Athletics Website

The official athletics website for the 315 Foundation, Inc.

315foundation.org

I get it Bees. Jake mentioned it as well. I am just saying if Syracuse AD wants us to contribute more then figure out a way to merge it. One stop shop. Even though SU doesn't "own" nil or Nil, they need to find a way for us donating to merge it. Why? Because the athletic department benefits. So there should be a meeting of the minds to find both better ways to collect and innovate. If you are good with the construct great. Just my perspective.

 

[HOFCeluck]

I would love to donate but I have to put premium gas in my Maserati.

So..