Ohio State AD Gene Smith will say the quiet part out loud in today's NIL hearing on the Hill during his testimony.

"A practice of asking a school for a fee to simply visit campus has emerged; asking for $5,000 just to visit has become common."

— Pete Nakos (@Pete_Nakos96) September 20, 2023

Just to walk around and be treated like you've done something.

So is that only asked of programs the players don't want to play for?

Sounds like they ask for it anywhere they go, including the school they commit to.

Guys it's a free market, no one is holding a gun to anyone's head. If you don't want to pay it you don't have to.

Time is money, the best players in the country probably have 40 schools that want them to visit.

HoustonAg2106 said:

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Guys it's a free market, no one is holding a gun to anyone's head. If you don't want to pay it you don't have to.

Time is money, the best players in the country probably have 40 schools that want them to visit.

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Except that cash is NEVER allowed. I guess schools can (and probably do) break the rules -- nothing new there -- but don't act like it SHOULD be commonplace. If we're going to go to a system that is essentially semi-pro or minor league (or whatever you want to call it) to begin with and then cheat on top of that, then I and probably many (most) Aggies are not going to be interested in whatever transpires, regardless of results. I'm not too hip with the whole NIL deal to begin with. Call me naive if you wish (those that know me would laugh at that, but...whatever).

Those that are fine with this system can enjoy themselves.

The NCAA knows it is happening, everyone knows it is happening. They are all in it together as a faade of amateur status and the student athelete.

Everyone knows it is happening just like everyone knew Lance Armstrong was doping until it didn't benefit them anymore.

Who really cares. It has practically become a pro sports anyways.

Reggie knew it was happening.

Medaggie said:

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The NCAA knows it is happening, everyone knows it is happening. They are all in it together as a faade of amateur status and the student athelete.

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Your accent has invaded your spelling

91AggieLawyer said:

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HoustonAg2106 said:

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Guys it's a free market, no one is holding a gun to anyone's head. If you don't want to pay it you don't have to.

Time is money, the best players in the country probably have 40 schools that want them to visit.

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Except that cash is NEVER allowed. I guess schools can (and probably do) break the rules -- nothing new there -- but don't act like it SHOULD be commonplace. If we're going to go to a system that is essentially semi-pro or minor league (or whatever you want to call it) to begin with and then cheat on top of that, then I and probably many (most) Aggies are not going to be interested in whatever transpires, regardless of results. I'm not too hip with the whole NIL deal to begin with. Call me naive if you wish (those that know me would laugh at that, but...whatever).

Those that are fine with this system can enjoy themselves.

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If it is commonplace then should doesn't matter.

Does Gene Smith realize those five stars who visit are why he is paid like a C Level exec?

Smith signed a four-year extension with Ohio State in 2021 until 2026. The deal paid him $1.58 million in salary and another $480,000 in annual supplemental compensation for media, promotions, and public relations, bringing his yearly salary to over $2 million.

This you Gene? The same guy complaining about players asking for $5k to visit? You can say no any time.

some of these guys are going to make more money in college than they are (or would) in the NFL

and, uh, are these guys getting a 1099 for their visit?

W said:

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and, uh, are these guys getting a 1099 for their visit?

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Cash money baby

The 2 most valuable skills they don't teach you in school
Investing and tax evasion

"Say the quiet part out loud" makes me want to stab a baby.

Notice he doesn't say anyone pays this $5k?

This is some rumor that Smith heard, now he's running to congress with it.

National NIL bill is coming. Interesting that Smith is using an example of something that's not NIL and expressly not allowed as a reason national legislation is needed.

Go Army, Beat Navy.

One thing we know, if the government can get a piece of the action it always will. They are gonna tax the crap outta these kids now. I wouldn't be shocked if we see a high profile college athlete get locked up for tax evasion.

I would like to think our Congress critters would have better things to do than make decisions concerning college athletics. But, I guess if they're doing that, they're at least not screwing up things that are actually important.

The school, program, and boosters can't pay it, but they can allow for someone who wants to make a "short term contract for endorsement" to buy those services.

SuperAg09 said:

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One thing we know, if the government can get a piece of the action it always will. They are gonna tax the crap outta these kids now. I wouldn't be shocked if we see a high profile college athlete get locked up for tax evasion.

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Any reason why they shouldn't "tax the crap outta these kids," to use your words? They are generating income, albeit in a manner that is a *******ization of the original NIL. Welcome to the real world, boys. Find an accountant.

There are plenty of people, in and out of sports, on the gravy train:

Obama paid $600,000 for a single speech
Trvon Austin
20 June 2019


In the two years since leaving the White House, former President Barack Obama has spent his time raising and solidifying his position in the uppermost echelons of the top one percent of Americans. Obama has raked in exorbitant amounts of money for public speaking events and made deals worth millions with multiple companies.
Despite his quip, made during the depths of the Great Recession, that "at a certain point you've made enough money," there seems to be no such limit for the Obamas. His family has amassed so much wealth that even Obama himself said he was surprised in a speech in South Africa last year.
Since he left office, the former president has given an estimated 50 speeches a year to corporate audiences for hundreds of thousands of dollars per event. In 2017, the same year he left office, Obama was officially recognized as one of the top ten highest paid public speakers in the US.

45-70Ag said:

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Ohio State AD Gene Smith will say the quiet part out loud in today's NIL hearing on the Hill during his testimony.

"A practice of asking a school for a fee to simply visit campus has emerged; asking for $5,000 just to visit has become common."

— Pete Nakos (@Pete_Nakos96) September 20, 2023

Just to walk around and be treated like you've done something.

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Hey, demand and supply. If you can get away with it and get the money you ask for, why not? (as long as it is not illegal)

I think there should be strict rules on no money exchange and schools should be severely penalized if they break the rule.

So schools and coaches can get the $100s of millions,
but the product on the field why everyone watches should just shut up, take your $30k a year tuition, and good luck with your concussions, torn ACLs, etc… seems fair.

What percentage of these kids are looking at it as an opportunity to get an education - maybe 10%? The notion of "student athlete" has become such a farce. Maybe it has been for a long time.

Why do schools think they entitled to free work?

aglaes said:

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What percentage of these kids are looking at it as an opportunity to get an education - maybe 10%? The notion of "student athlete" has become such a farce. Maybe it has been for a long time.

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In football & basketball, less than that.

SuperAg09 said:

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One thing we know, if the government can get a piece of the action it always will. They are gonna tax the crap outta these kids now. I wouldn't be shocked if we see a high profile college athlete get locked up for tax evasion.

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they are already taxed on any NIL money. this isn't going to change anything in that regard

Slicer97 said:

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I would like to think our Congress critters would have better things to do than make decisions concerning college athletics. But, I guess if they're doing that, they're at least not screwing up things that are actually important.

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i agree, but the athletic programs are begging them to do something. cruz is a the center of the work on national legislation on NIL

DallasAg 94 said:

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milner79 said:

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SuperAg09 said:

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One thing we know, if the government can get a piece of the action it always will. They are gonna tax the crap outta these kids now. I wouldn't be shocked if we see a high profile college athlete get locked up for tax evasion.

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Any reason why they shouldn't "tax the crap outta these kids," to use your words? They are generating income, albeit in a manner that is a *******ization of the original NIL. Welcome to the real world, boys. Find an accountant.

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Do you tax your kids' birthday or Christmas presents?!

I believe you are allowed to "gift" someone up to $17K/yr.

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under no definition is this a gift being discussed.

Pay the kids they money.

Stat Monitor Repairman said:

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Why do schools think they entitled to free work?

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Since when was a scholarship of no value?

The single dumbest reason people use to not pay players is the "How will they possibly figure out how to pay taxes!" Argument.