Washington had one of the best NIL programs? Then why do we get our shit pushed in with HS recruits? We’re slightly better in the portal but not at the level of the top dogs.NIL at Washington might be in a better place than most schools. This is the only reason I have any level of sanity.
There’s only two programs in the country right now with long-term NIL plans for their athletes - UW and LSU (Hey Scotty!!)
Most schools are pay for play, which UW kind of does, but the laws in our state makes that incredibly difficult. States like Texas and Florida have wrote into legislation that schools CAN work directly with NIL, including coaches. This really pissed off Saban as Alabama is far behind the turn for allowing that same thing - hence their Leerfield NIL Lounge and partnership, but they’re behind the curve.
What LSU and UW are doing includes a trust fund that athletes can access after graduation/NFL, and that fund is invested during their time playing. The more time at the school, the more compound interest, the more money. Along with getting random sponsorship level deals.
NIL is the name of the game now, Kalen seems like the type to want trust funds and finance guys to handle everything while he coaches ball, at Bama - you gotta embrace leerfield and the agents who are constantly in the lounge, the bag will always be talked about on the recruiting trail in the SEC, and with tOSU struggling to get a collective -Michigan is the only competition.
I think the key is UW has a better long term NIL program. A lot of schools are using short term, immediate funds to get guys. ATM comes to mind.