The Stanford Cardinal student-athletes are better off than most when they leave the university because simply put: they have a Stanford education. It wouldn’t be a surprise, however, to hear that the Cardinal are actively preparing for the changes that are to come within collegiate athletics when the name, image and likeness bills are expected to pass.
There’s a lot to unpack in the NIL proposals themselves, but essentially, student-athletes will be permitted to brand themselves and essentially profit off such branding. It’s imperative they receive assistance in their endeavors from outside help (athlete advocates) or more importantly, from their universities.
It’s another important wrinkle that (mainly) football coaches are going to have to actively recruit with as well: Just how they are handling the NIL to better their student-athletes off the field.
We’ve seen UCF tease out some of their plans that include assisting in marketing their players and other programs have essentially teased out a marketing team to assist their players as well.
David Shaw spoke to this on SiriusXM radio this week. And apparently is ready to take a different stance.
“The name, image and likeness has a lot to do with the individual and not a lot to do with the universities,” Shaw said. “We can give our young people education, we can help them make the decisions on who their agents are going to be, on how they’re going to present themselves, but for the most part this is something that the young person, to a certain degree, on their own.”
Color me less than impressed.
Maybe I don’t speak for everyone here, so here’s the full clip that was shared:
Comments
In other words, the plan for NIL is nil
By vk on 05.14.21 10:03pm
Sounds An Awful Lot Like A Punt From The Opponent's 38 Yard Line.....
I don’t disagree with Shaw at all, but what he is advocating may not be competitive with what other universities may be willing to do. But we are already there to some degree with academic distinctions impacting the players we can recruit. I think these changes are going to ruin college sports from the fan’s perspective – just as the new transfer rules have begun to do (particularly in basketball). The sense of "team" and "university affiliation" are breaking down – and those are the reasons I watch college vs. pro sports.
I think that Shaw makes some good points about the value of a Stanford education, the intelligence/capability of our players to manage this and proximity to silicon valley/social media. David Shaw (and Stanford) just don’t view this as something that is the responsibility of a coach, an athletic director or a football program – other than giving the athletes some guidance on generally how to approach this and what kind of agent to hire. Maybe they will create a new position like Facebook Instagram $$$ Director Of Athletic Monetization to liase with the players.
A large part of me feels like if players are going to turn down a Stanford education and football program to attend a lesser school where they will be actively supported and marketed, so be it. Hopefully there will be enough kids who (i) value Stanford for what it is and (ii) are able to navigate this on their own (with the help of an agent).
By hoyaparanoia on 05.18.21 12:00pm
Great coach…
By Samkkk on 05.28.21 9:25am