(07-30-2021 06:42 AM)RobtheAggie Wrote:  . . .

I also think that there will be little movement on the WAC side of things until 2 other things have been resolved. What happens with the Big 12 and what is the impact of NIL. Even in the WAC, there is a wide ability to pay. GCU has a major advantage with a robust and money making online program (something any school could do as well) to help pay the athletes. To become the dominant program in the WAC, throw some of that cash around, and watch the purple win everything. So I think a school like West Texas is waiting to see what is the financial cost, including the NIL, going to be for them to be competitive at DI.

I am not sure where the financial cost for NIL comes into play on this. As I understand it, the NIL allows players to receive pay from non-university sources (businesses) for the use of their name, image and likeness. That is not a cost to the university.

The issue as I see it is that better athletes will want to go to schools that have supporters with deep pockets and a willingness to empty them for "marketing" purposes. To me this is fraught with opportunities for abuse. "Sure, I will give each of your players a contract for $$$ even if their marketing value is negligible. It will also serve to redirect players interest in recruiting to the places with such support and away from those with less support.

It is because of this that I believe NMSU will be disadvantaged further in recruitment and retention of players. .