Iowa State has been decimated

[#1DieHardHawk]

Yeah that's the part that I think is universally tough to swallow for us older fans. Growing up seeing generations of teams and players that goes for the other sports too. Rosters being flipped over yr to yr and your star players that either pop up early on and leave or you bring them in for 1 yr and then leave is just not fun. You can't get invested in them.

A fun part of fandom for me has always been seeing us land a recruit and then follow their development. Be it they flash early and turn into a star or more gradually and then they have a monster senior yr. That's kinda what's always made a guy a Hawkeye to me be it hoops or football. While that kinda happens in football a little bit now it doesn't like it used to. And it certainly doesn't in hoops.

This is what worries me personally about what might happen in terms of my interest level. I hate the thought of losing my enthusiasm for college sports. That's been a huge part of my identity, and one of a handful of things from which I derive pleasure, forever.

When NIL and the portal came along and began gathering momentum, I admittedly had a sick feeling in my stomach. It dawned on me that I had walked away from MLB and the NBA due to the revolving door of players. The joy from a fan standpoint was following the "teams" year after year as they developed, with young guys added via the draft and the occasional trade or free agent signing. In many ways, that familiarity with the players and the stability IMO is what drives the passion of being a fan.

Frankly, it scares me thinking that I may lose that with college sports.

From a strictly legal standpoint, the only feasible way to make all of this work without violating anti-trust law is having the players form a formal "player's association," which would allow for collective bargaining and contracts to be signed protecting both parties, all under some type of salary cap to level the playing field. One of the "boiler plate" tenants would be limiting player's abilities to transfer at will without financial repercussions.

It stings losing the amateur nature of college sports, but, at least in that scenario, you would see some stability and accountability. Right now, it's a complete free for all.

 

[SwirlinLingerie]

You know, it's interesting. Obviously college football is a mess, but in many ways, we have better parity at the top than we've had in years. And some of the blue bloods maybe aren't actually blue bloods in this new order.

I'm loving the final four right now. Remember how awful it was watching Alabama and Clemson (and a couple others) dominate every single year?

The never-ending roster turnover sucks, but in my opinion, the biggest impact to the fans would be the loss of regional rivalries. Those are the essence and charm of college football. I think fans care more about those than they do watching the same players for four years, or whether the kids attend in-person classes or not. Hawk fans are more passionate about cheering for their colors vs. Wisconsin or Minnesota, than they are rooting on Billy Johnson from Cedar Rapids, who they've watched for 3 straight years and know is advancing well towards his engineering degree.

That said, the powers that be are doing a pretty good job of screwing up these regional rivalries for the fans of some schools...

 

[Fryowa]

The Aaron Graves stories are gonna be way fewer and far between they just are. The Cooper DeJeans are a once in a generation. Those two you mentioned are well on their ways.

But who's to say if Hecklinski flashes a pretty good first yr of starting next yr that another school won't come poach him away? All while being tampered with throughout the yr. We've had a new day 1 starting Qb like 4 yrs in a row or some shit right? Petras was the last guy to start 2 yrs in a row and he did 3 I think and that wasn't a good thing. I'll be curious once the dust settles what the overall turnover rate ends up being for us

That's one reason I think they should spin college teams off into pro leagues. Still give the kids scholarships to attend school or make it a requirement that they have to be enrolled. If it's a pro league they can have contracts and restrict free agency. The lower level guys that don't have a shot at the NFL can still get their education.

 

[Fryowa]

This is what worries me personally about what might happen in terms of my interest level. I hate the thought of losing my enthusiasm for college sports. That's been a huge part of my identity, and one of a handful of things from which I derive pleasure, forever.

Mine is definitely way down.

I wouldn't sweat it, you just need to find other things that fulfill that spot. I didn't think I'd be able to but now I think different. My parents were 7 years older than I am right now when they died. This is too short of a thing to get bogged down by shit you have no control over.

Fishing, woodworking, golf, camping, motorcycles, different sports or teams? I don't know your age or family situation so maybe not, but you'll find something if you decide college sports doesn't do it for you anymore.

 

[HawkPowerlifter]

The NIL and portal has changed the landscape of college football. I think it will be very hard for teams to continuously be at the top unless the are printing money. A few outliers might be Oregon, tOSU, and a couple others.

Players are "hired guns" and negotiate for their talents to the highest bidder. Indiana is a prime example of what money can do. They go from one of the worst programs in football to making the CFP the last couple years.

Cignetti may get some credit for changing the mindset around the program but it doesn't happen without money.

One the flip side, I think Bama had 15 key players hit the portal. I think DeBoer is feeling the heat. With NIL money, the downside to it, programs expect to win.

Loyalty and commitment are almost non-existent. Kenny Minchey, the Notre Dame back up quarterback hit the portal and committed to Nebraska, and a day later de-committed and is now headed to Kentucky.

 

[kameltoez102]

The NIL and portal has changed the landscape of college football. I think it will be very hard for teams to continuously be at the top unless the are printing money. A few outliers might be Oregon, tOSU, and a couple others.

Players are "hired guns" and negotiate for their talents to the highest bidder. Indiana is a prime example of what money can do. They go from one of the worst programs in football to making the CFP the last couple years.

Cignetti may get some credit for changing the mindset around the program but it doesn't happen without money.

One the flip side, I think Bama had 15 key players hit the portal. I think DeBoer is feeling the heat. With NIL money, the downside to it, programs expect to win.

While I have never met him DeBoer doesn't seem to be Mr. Personality either that is going to get guys to buy in. He is probably one of the worst press conference guys I have seen. Cignetti may come off as a grump but how he uses he language and talks about different topics just hit different. I do not see DeBoer as someone with the ability to go into a kid's living room that is on the fence between LSU and Alabama and out talk Kiffin or some of the other SEC Coaches. Maybe I am wrong but that is my impression

 

[Hawkfnntn]

This is what worries me personally about what might happen in terms of my interest level. I hate the thought of losing my enthusiasm for college sports. That's been a huge part of my identity, and one of a handful of things from which I derive pleasure, forever.

When NIL and the portal came along and began gathering momentum, I admittedly had a sick feeling in my stomach. It dawned on me that I had walked away from MLB and the NBA due to the revolving door of players. The joy from a fan standpoint was following the "teams" year after year as they developed, with young guys added via the draft and the occasional trade or free agent signing. In many ways, that familiarity with the players and the stability IMO is what drives the passion of being a fan.

Frankly, it scares me thinking that I may lose that with college sports.

From a strictly legal standpoint, the only feasible way to make all of this work without violating anti-trust law is having the players form a formal "player's association," which would allow for collective bargaining and contracts to be signed protecting both parties, all under some type of salary cap to level the playing field. One of the "boiler plate" tenants would be limiting player's abilities to transfer at will without financial repercussions.

It stings losing the amateur nature of college sports, but, at least in that scenario, you would see some stability and accountability. Right now, it's a complete free for all.

Same with me on baseball. Baseball was my first love as a kid. Reading box scores in the paper every morning was kinda my weird thing as a kid. I coulda told you the Twins batting order for most of their teams in the 90s and 00s and pitching staffs. I probably couldn't tell you 4 or 5 of the current players there now. I've all but lost my baseball love too. From a day to day perspective I totally have and it isn't just because the Twins suck now which doesn't help. It's just not the same

 

[ssckelley]

You know, it's interesting. Obviously college football is a mess, but in many ways, we have better parity at the top than we've had in years. And some of the blue bloods maybe aren't actually blue bloods in this new order.

I'm loving the final four right now. Remember how awful it was watching Alabama and Clemson (and a couple others) dominate every single year?

The never-ending roster turnover sucks, but in my opinion, the biggest impact to the fans would be the loss of regional rivalries. Those are the essence and charm of college football. I think fans care more about those than they do watching the same players for four years, or whether the kids attend in-person classes or not. Hawk fans are more passionate about cheering for their colors vs. Wisconsin or Minnesota, than they are rooting on Billy Johnson from Cedar Rapids, who they've watched for 3 straight years and know is advancing well towards his engineering degree.

That said, the powers that be are doing a pretty good job of screwing up these regional rivalries for the fans of some schools...

This is the trade off, while the NIL now means free agency for the players which hurts us when following our favorite players there's now an even playing field with the $EC as paying players is something they have been doing all along and Clemson was probably right in there with them. The days of Alabama, Georgia, and Clemson dominating college football is over as now anyone can legally pay players and whoever has the deepest pockets will get the best recruits. I doubt that will ever be Iowa but our Hawkeyes were never going to thrive in either environment, our keys to success has not changed by finding the diamonds in the rough and develop them. Iowa has been and always will be built on the 2 and 3 star athletes that isn't afraid of work. Typically those players are also the most loyal and we don't have to worry about money moving them somewhere else.

 

[HawkPowerlifter]

Same with me on baseball. Baseball was my first love as a kid. Reading box scores in the paper every morning was kinda my weird thing as a kid. I coulda told you the Twins batting order for most of their teams in the 90s and 00s and pitching staffs. I probably couldn't tell you 4 or 5 of the current players there now. I've all but lost my baseball love too. From a day to day perspective I totally have and it isn't just because the Twins suck now which doesn't help. It's just not the same

I'm with you. Baseball is my first love as well. However, we can't be friends....I'm a White Sox fan. LOL. But you are spot on. Used to be your favorite player on your favorite team would play most (if not all) of their career with that team. Nowadays, you have no clue.

And small market versus big market doesn't truly allow certain organizations to compete. Teams like the Dodgers and Yankees will spend and spend and pay luxury tax for being over the cap. Unless you can develop a solid farm system with prospects, you are screwed. Of course, teams will gamble and trade prospects for an all star or vice versa. It's a mess.

 

[Fryowa]

While I have never met him DeBoer doesn't seem to be Mr. Personality either that is going to get guys to buy in.

I've never met him but he's from my geographical area and one of my coworkers is a college buddy and teammate of his from USF. Coming from him he said what you see on TV since he went to Bama isn't his personality at all and that he's probably hating his decision to go coach there. I'm guessing they talk a lot so he would know, but I don't press for personal details. I think DeBoer is WAY in over his head and probably didn't know the true magnitude of the pressure that job would bring from fans. I mean if you're a P4 football coach you know better than any of us how high-pressure it is, but I think you can't get the full understanding of it till you're thrust in the middle of it. Alabama football is everything in that state to everyone in that state.

Now on the other hand I don't know if DeBoer regrets it because he's set for life now 100%, but I can't imagine he's enjoying that monstrosity in any way, shape, or form. I give the guy next year coaching there tops.

 

[Fryowa]

This is the trade off, while the NIL now means free agency for the players which hurts us when following our favorite players there's now an even playing field with the $EC as paying players is something they have been doing all along and Clemson was probably right in there with them. The days of Alabama, Georgia, and Clemson dominating college football is over as now anyone can legally pay players and whoever has the deepest pockets will get the best recruits. I doubt that will ever be Iowa but our Hawkeyes were never going to thrive in either environment, our keys to success has not changed by finding the diamonds in the rough and develop them. Iowa has been and always will be built on the 2 and 3 star athletes that isn't afraid of work. Typically those players are also the most loyal and we don't have to worry about money moving them somewhere else.

This is the best thing about NIL. There is zero way that Saban, Orgeron, Smart, Spurrier, Kryzewcryzyskewi, Carroll, osborne, or any of those guys can deny that players were being paid back then. None.

To go from monopolies to parity like this in the span of a year after NIL becomes legal makes any argument like that completely laughable.

 

[NorthKCHawk]

De-Coupling college teams from their Universities so that the University of Iowa essentially owns a professional football team not made up of students is a god awful idea. Although, I certainly cannot rule it out.

I think before we would ever get to such a radical solution, the elderly members of Congress would finally get off their collective asses and do something.

The solution is actually rather simple. Craft a law that would allow for a college football commissioner and board of governors, who within certain guardrails, would be able to regulate the compensation and working terms available to student athletes free from the strictures of antitrust and labor laws. Then, salary caps, NIL reform, transfer rules, playoffs, etc. could all be regulated by fair rules that pay the players but in an equitable manner to ensure competitive balance. All with the backing of Congress and member institutions. Its so simple and sensible, and that is why Congress has not done it. Yet.

 

[Hawkfnntn]

I'm with you. Baseball is my first love as well. However, we can't be friends....I'm a White Sox fan. LOL. But you are spot on. Used to be your favorite player on your favorite team would play most (if not all) of their career with that team. Nowadays, you have no clue.

And small market versus big market doesn't truly allow certain organizations to compete. Teams like the Dodgers and Yankees will spend and spend and pay luxury tax for being over the cap. Unless you can develop a solid farm system with prospects, you are screwed. Of course, teams will gamble and trade prospects for an all star or vice versa. It's a mess.

The Big Hurt was a hell of a player. Hated him but had respected him. Ozzie Guillen, Jack McDowell all those guys. They had their battles it was fun back then cause yeah teams had their core guys. It's just so not like that now. There's like 4-6 teams with a legit shot and 20 that plus that don't even pretend that they do. It's just dumb now

 

[HawkPowerlifter]

The Big Hurt was a hell of a player. Hated him but had respected him. Ozzie Guillen, Jack McDowell all those guys. They had their battles it was fun back then cause yeah teams had their core guys. It's just so not like that now. There's like 4-6 teams with a legit shot and 20 that plus that don't even pretend that they do. It's just dumb now

100% Joe Mauer was my favorite Twin. Straight up stud. Great stick. But 100% right on baseball. I watch baseball and follow the Sox casually but not like I used to. I also used to watch any game that was on. Hard to do now.

That was the great thing about baseball, 162 games. A grind but the season was a process. Now, with the way things are set up, you almost can guess who the usual suspects will be. I did enjoy seeing the Mariners and Blue Jays make their runs.

I now tend to follow some individual players now. Cal Raleigh I thoroughly enjoyed watching. Bobby Witt Jr. and a few others. Always pulling for Mike Trout but he definitely in the twilight of his career. But hate the Yankees and Dodgers. LOL. Sucks too, because I like Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts. Aaron Judge is another but can't pull for him. He plays for the Evil Empire.

 

[Fryowa]

De-Coupling college teams from their Universities so that the University of Iowa essentially owns a professional football team not made up of students is a god awful idea. Although, I certainly cannot rule it out.

As a professional team owned by the University of [insert school here] you could mandate that all players for your team be enrolled full time and maintain passing grades in that particular school. Have salary caps, limit free agency among league members, and create contracts.

I'm not saying schools would all agree to that, but you could do it and solve the problems without Congress.

 

[HawkPowerlifter]

As a professional team owned by the University of [insert school here] you could mandate that all players for your team be enrolled full time and maintain passing grades in that particular school. Have salary caps, limit free agency among league members, and create contracts.

I'm not saying schools would all agree to that, but you could do it and solve the problems without Congress.

Fry, you might know more of the legalities of it, but they are also considered "agreements" and not contracts, correct? I believe Georgia is trying to sue to recover some lost funds from an agreement from a player who entered the portal. IF it goes through, I assume it will once again change how this whole NIL is structured.

Something has to give. It's the Wild West. Complete free agency. Players have zero accountability for any sort of business transaction/agreement made.

 

[Fryowa]

Fry, you might know more of the legalities of it, but they are also considered "agreements" and not contracts, correct? I believe Georgia is trying to sue to recover some lost funds from an agreement from a player who entered the portal. IF it goes through.

Under my scenario, I'm saying the universities could spin revenue teams off as actual professional sports teams not directly tied to the schools. Like the Vikings, Bulls, Braves, etc.

Then you could have contracts, limit free agency, require your players to be enrolled in your school, etc.

 

[NorthKCHawk]

As a professional team owned by the University of [insert school here] you could mandate that all players for your team be enrolled full time and maintain passing grades in that particular school. Have salary caps, limit free agency among league members, and create contracts.

I'm not saying schools would all agree to that, but you could do it and solve the problems without Congress.

No. You can't. Setting a salary cap without a Congressional exemption or collective bargaining violates more federal laws than I can count. That was essentially the same rationale for the House lawsuit.

At its core, all of these schools are competitors in the market place competing for the same labor force. Competitors cannot collude and agree to artificially tamp down the compensation that flows to the labor force.

If they could do this, they already would have!!

 

[Fryowa]

No. You can't. Setting a salary cap without a Congressional exemption or collective bargaining violates more federal laws than I can count. That was essentially the same rationale for the House lawsuit.

At its core, all of these schools are competitors in the market place competing for the same labor force. Competitors cannot collude and agree to artificially tamp down the compensation that flows to the labor force.

If they could do this, they already would have!!

I didn't think it necessary to mention that professional sports leagues already have salary caps. Can be done the same way. Also didn't think it necessary that there would have to be a league. Not independent schools going rogue.

The professional sports route would be beneficial to the teams because it would eliminate the things causing the chaos.

 

[HawkPowerlifter]

I think it was just this last year that the high courts approved it that the NIL can be unlimited which creates even more of a disparity. We discussed it in past threads but Oregon with Nike and Phil Knight behind them have unlimited funds. I think their total NIL was something to the tone of $940 million! No way some schools can come close to that.