Follow the Money - The Big Business of College Football

[NorthDakota]

NYTimes has a good article on ND and NIL. Author talked to some GMs and agents around the game about ND, spending, etc. Not sure if its anything people on board unaware of.

Notre Dame’s $40 million question: How much does a 2026 national title contender cost?

GMs at other schools project Notre Dame to be in the mix for one of college football's top five priciest rosters. How does the math work?

www.nytimes.com

Cliff notes - ND has probably 3x NIL spending since 2024-25. Money really not an issue. Notre Dame will not lose in current environment because they wont spend. Notre Dame a bit unique in terms of retention relative to peers. Some kids will stay for academics. Some additional info on alleged bubble forming for FCS/G6 players. 10x growth in a year or two.

 

[greyhammer90]

I'm sure ND has done their due diligence on this before backing the act, but I'm interested if the bill passing would have a negative effect on our flexibility. ND has always had the ability to play the "maybe I'll join if you play nice" card. If I understand the bill correctly (I probably don't), the B1G and SEC would be unable to expand further. This might be a good thing for ND because they would have no more reason to pressure us into joining, but it also removes our ability to jump in if we decide the water is warmer, so to speak.

 

[Blazers46]

NYTimes has a good article on ND and NIL. Author talked to some GMs and agents around the game about ND, spending, etc. Not sure if its anything people on board unaware of.

Notre Dame’s $40 million question: How much does a 2026 national title contender cost?

GMs at other schools project Notre Dame to be in the mix for one of college football's top five priciest rosters. How does the math work?

www.nytimes.com

Cliff notes - ND has probably 3x NIL spending since 2024-25. Money really not an issue. Notre Dame will not lose in current environment because they wont spend. Notre Dame a bit unique in terms of retention relative to peers. Some kids will stay for academics. Some additional info on alleged bubble forming for FCS/G6 players. 10x growth in a year or two.

Looks like an interesting read, and I’ll probably read it when I’m not in the car.

I feel like the argument or push for a bigger playoff has something to do with the middle class of college football not going extinct because of the top heavy/money heavy schools at the top would potentially dominate an 8 to 12 team playoff.

As much as the middle class and even some of the bottom peters seem to dilute the product sometimes I feel like the Big Ten and the SEC no, they are needed to some degree.

 

[MeanGreenBeans]

Looks like an interesting read, and I’ll probably read it when I’m not in the car.

I feel like the argument or push for a bigger playoff has something to do with the middle class of college football not going extinct because of the top heavy/money heavy schools at the top would potentially dominate an 8 to 12 team playoff.

As much as the middle class and even some of the bottom peters seem to dilute the product sometimes I feel like the Big Ten and the SEC no, they are needed to some degree.

Typical Sampson thesis project. I'll summarize for you: ND's not afraid to spend anymore and their roster probably cost them around $40 million this year.

 

[Blazers46]

Typical Sampson thesis project. I'll summarize for you: ND's not afraid to spend anymore and their roster probably cost them around $40 million this year.

I guess I’m more interested in the perceived bubble that NIL and even the transfer portal could potentially be created.

 

[Huntr]

Not a chance in hell...

 

[TNUtoNotreDame]

Not a chance in hell...

Ridiculous, this will FORCE a breakaway... So we need to give money to Eastern New Mexico so they can have Equestrian team?

 

[MeanGreenBeans]

Ridiculous, this will FORCE a breakaway... So we need to give money to Eastern New Mexico so they can have Equestrian team?

This is the first ever mention of the Greyhounds that I've seen on this site. Good job.

 

[TNUtoNotreDame]

This is the first ever mention of the Greyhounds that I've seen on this site. Good job.

Long roots to that school. lol

 

[MeanGreenBeans]

Long roots to that school. lol

They have a "rodeo team" and a "ranch horse team" but no equestrian team. So your point is definitely valid.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

I'm more sick of Saban now than I was when he was coaching. Fuck off already, Saint Nicky.

 

[MeanGreenBeans]

I'm more sick of Saban now than I was when he was coaching. Fuck off already, Saint Nicky.

I've never seen Saban and Satan together in the same room. Just saying.

 

[TNUtoNotreDame]

They have a "rodeo team" and a "ranch horse team" but no equestrian team. So your point is definitely valid.

Haha, I didn't look... But I love Portales. Had a rental there for 20+ years.

 

[NorthDakota]

They have a "rodeo team" and a "ranch horse team" but no equestrian team. So your point is definitely valid.

South Dakota State has equestrian i believe

 

[MeanGreenBeans]

South Dakota State has equestrian i believe

I'm firmly pro-equestrian team.

 

[NorthDakota]

I'm firmly pro-equestrian team.

As a North Dakota State alum, I am pro carrying the minimum number of sports and our shameless use of Title 9 to avoid adding women's sports.

I'll butcher the explanation in some fashion but the gist of it is surveys...from what im told. Every year or so the university sends out surveys to students about their interest in programs on campus, including varsity athletics.

Regular girls on campus aren't interested in being college athletes. If they were, they would probably have attended a different school. The girls on campus who are interested in playing sports are probably already on the team of the sport they are interested in. So the survey ends up telling us that NDSU is offering basically every sport the student population is interested in having, at least on the women's side.

End result, grossly disproportionate participation/scholarships to men's sports since their is no analog to the football team.

 

[burmafrd1944]

As a North Dakota State alum, I am pro carrying the minimum number of sports and our shameless use of Title 9 to avoid adding women's sports.

I'll butcher the explanation in some fashion but the gist of it is surveys...from what im told. Every year or so the university sends out surveys to students about their interest in programs on campus, including varsity athletics.

Regular girls on campus aren't interested in being college athletes. If they were, they would probably have attended a different school. The girls on campus who are interested in playing sports are probably already on the team of the sport they are interested in. So the survey ends up telling us that NDSU is offering basically every sport the student population is interested in having, at least on the women's side.

End result, grossly disproportionate participation/scholarships to men's sports since their is no analog to the football team.

I believe there was a movement early on when Title 9 came out to exempt counting football as regards that since there is no female sport that has anywhere near the numbers. Never got anywhere.

 

[Huntr]

 

[Huntr]

....Aaaand that would be what a super league looks like.

 

[burmafrd1944]

I really do not think its in the best long term interest of college football as a whole to have one super conference.

But the money might force it

 

[burmafrd1944]

saddest thing about Title 9 was that many universities killed mens sports like Gymnastics and especially Wrestling to pander to the mob. Womens club sports were considered a good trade.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

This doesn't feel like small government. Hmm.

Well, by the end of the Roman Empire, their senate was basically in charge of the sewer system. These jokers are trying to regulate college football as they see fit and I personally would not want them anywhere near a shit in the sewer I took two days ago.

 

[burmafrd1944]

This doesn't feel like small government. Hmm.

Well, by the end of the Roman Empire, their senate was basically in charge of the sewer system. These jokers are trying to regulate college football as they see fit and I personally would not want them anywhere near a shit in the sewer I took two days ago.

fine. Reasonable to be suspicious of government; frankly one should always be suspicious of government

BUT what is your suggestion?

I see post after post against this; but I see NONE with an idea of what SHOULD be done.

 

[TNUtoNotreDame]

fine. Reasonable to be suspicious of government; frankly one should always be suspicious of government

BUT what is your suggestion?

I see post after post against this; but I see NONE with an idea of what SHOULD be done.

I believe the P-4 should breakaway and set rules that have teeth. The 138 team FBS is to unwieldy . Teams that enter the division have to agree to min and maxs on payroll and nil. Say 50 million roster limit hard cap. 15 million min.

 

[burmafrd1944]

I believe the P-4 should breakaway and set rules that have teeth. The 138 team FBS is to unwieldy . Teams that enter the division have to agree to min and maxs on payroll and nil. Say 50 million roster limit hard cap. 15 million min.

I like it.
now how are you going to enforce it?
there has to be a mechanism to do that.

 

[TNUtoNotreDame]

I like it.
now how are you going to enforce it?
there has to be a mechanism to do that.

Need a NCAA like org that actually has teeth.... Everyone has to sign on to not sue to avoid punishiment. The NCAA is a joke because they enforced uneven or not at all. WOn't be perfect but it would be a start

 

[KMac151993]

The funny thing is they are going to take what was a fun product and burn it to the ground just because they are dumbasses.

 

[burmafrd1944]

Need a NCAA like org that actually has teeth.... Everyone has to sign on to not sue to avoid punishiment. The NCAA is a joke because they enforced uneven or not at all. WOn't be perfect but it would be a start

Whatever it is; it must be kept as small as possible and have watchdogs. any bureaucracy that gets too big always becomes corrupt; ALWAYS.

 

[Dale]

Bret clearly not listening to what he said at all and just quote tweeting a viral clip is very on brand:

 

[MeanGreenBeans]

Bret is truly dumber than he looks which is saying a lot.