With the two recent development funding hires in the AD, I expect we are (hopefully) aggressively ramping up funding efforts and squaring away the new $20.5 mill coffers.
Also, I'd expect that the first chunk of that will be in play for the Spring transfer window 4/16 - 4/25/25.
I am guessing that a lot of schools are doing the same and targeting that window for their first real outlay on funding.
I'd also guess it will be a competitive window and there will be a fair amount of player movement.
I know a bunch of people had mentioned they were worried that previous portal window incomings seemed really light.
I am hoping we make up for that in the Spring window.
I would expect the first chunk of the "new" money* will be used for retention of quality players currently on the roster.
Recruiting never stops these days. You spend a couple of years identifying talent early, then you recruit said talent until they agree to come to your school, then you spend the next few years continuing to recruit the same young men and fighting off poachers.
With regards to the spring transfer window, 4/16 - 4/25, I suspect we will use it to
- Address roster weak spots revealed during spring ball. Not for depth but focused on players they believe can immediately contribute. Yes, this type of player will need $$ to land.
- Move underperforming players off the roster to fit the anticipated roster caps for 2025.
- Saying goodbye to former walk-ons?
- Encouraging current scholarship players to move on?
- It is possible some of the early enrollees could find themselves having "the talk".
No one is safe.
- Projected starters could leave for the promise of more $$ or more playing time.
- Guys in the two-deep could become targets of other programs with a need; their projected starter gets injured in spring, so they go "shopping" for a replacement in the sprig transfer window.
- Young players will be trying to prove they belong.
- Former walk-ons will be fighting to establish their value to the program and find a place to contribute.
It should be a very competitive spring. By all accounts it already is. Guys have been working hard in the weight room since they returned to campus in mid-January. MAT drills started this week, and guys were flying around outside before dawn with temperatures in the 20's and their head coach wearing shorts.
* An unknown is how much if the proposed $20-$22 million will go to football, and how much will go to other sports. IMO, if it is considered
revenue sharing, then is should be disbursed based on which programs
produce revenue. This can be adjusted year to year based on the success of each program (a three-year average of the generated revenue).
- If football gets to the playoffs or goes to a bigger bowl, more money.
- If MBB goes to the tournament and does well, they could get more money for the program.
How much do you think women's softball will get?
How much revenue does each sport generate annually? I haven't seen any data regarding this subject in years. Does anyone know where we might find this data?
**The biggest way to grow your NIL for players will be thru corporate sponsorships, paying players to represent a product. That money is separate from the $20-$22 mil for revenue sharing. If you want a stud payer, get the player a corporate deal for print advertising or a commercial. Local car dealerships pay, but a national brand pays significantly more.