No Huddle Pt 4: Football Facelift
Quick thoughts on the House vs. NCAA settlement
Rundown
Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders (2) - Colorado Athletics
On Friday, the historic news of the House v. NCAA settlement launched massive shockwaves through intercollegiate sports. The news of the settlement came as a surprise to the masses, but this was always the direction it was trending. There’s a lot to sift through regarding the highlights. Most notably, the increase of scholarships across more than 40 sports amounts to exactly 750 new scholarships being available to prospective student-athletes.
In another massive development brought by the ruling, NIL deals from third parties that exceed $600 are now subject to vetting from a clearinghouse. Going into effect in 2025, these rulings undoubtedly shake up the landscape of football more than any other sport. There’s more revenue being generated in college football than ever thought imaginable.
However, it’s the amount of legal money that currently circulates through multiple sources to get to players, whether via name image and likeness deals, third-party collectives, or individual boosters, that is likely to be affected. Those transactions are sure to be impacted by a clearinghouse.
To me, this is the least fair situation for players. Everyone else profits, but a ruling such as this will take more money out of players’ pockets regardless of the source.
Does this lead to a sweeping return of under-the-table operating that we were accustomed to pre-NIL? Are the bagmen set to once again take on their role in the recruiting process? They never truly went anywhere, but I’d say it was a big day for the old guard.
Cinderella Stories Are Over
TCU QB Max Duggan (15) - TCU Athletics
I digress. The disproportionate effect this result will have on the actual on-field play of the sport can’t be overstated. Add in the realization that conference realignment and the twelve-team college football playoff go into effect THIS season, and the unnerving feeling that college football, in particular, has set down a path that it can’t ever turn back from begins to settle in.
The “baby NFL” jokes aren’t so funny anymore as they have become a pertinent reality in a rather swift manner. The sport as we knew it even two years ago is no longer. I’m not averse to change, but the spirit of that change should be rooted in a longing for true progression of the sport rather than the monetary benefit and the opportunity to seize back control over athletes and their ability to earn money in a sport where they do so much to generate profits for others.
In my opinion, long gone are the days of the Cinderella stories the country loves to cling to. It was already hard enough for the group of five conferences to compete from an advertising and recruiting standpoint. Along with the scholarship increase, transfer portal, NIL, and twelve-team playoff — it’s virtually impossible for the non-elites even to have a chance at making a final four run.
Boise State, UCF, Cincinnati, and even the lower-level power four teams that we’ve become accustomed to seeing compete like TCU and Utah are facing an uphill battle like never before.
Picture this: Ohio State loses their biggest game of the year against Michigan, misses out on the B1G Championship, gets 3 weeks rest, and also has the added benefit of up to 20 extra scholarship players for added depth. This is what the new landscape will probably look like for those types of teams with this format.
Another example is Alabama last year. They could’ve lost to Auburn in the Iron Bowl, finished the season 10-2, and won or lost in the SEC Championship Game, they likely make the 12-team playoff if they aren’t blown out in that game. Now add in the 20 extra scholarship players to reinforce depth or offer more solutions to problems — an extra game in the playoffs against a lesser-caliber team could very well play in their favor.
Competitive Illusions Gone
Georgia Head Coach Kirby Smart - Kevin C Cox/Getty Images
Legal ramifications that will assuredly draw this process out aside, the competitive balance of the sport is very close to being further away from recognition than ever desired. I hope you savored the runs of the past that gave us moments like TCU beating Michigan and playing for a National Championship.
Because now, if they are fortunate enough to make the playoffs, good enough to win a game against a higher seed, and healthy enough to have a fighting chance the next week, the prize is having to replicate that herculean performance three more times to teams that could have up to double-digit more scholarship players. That’s the sport now.
