God forbid UK be innovative, instead of constantly 12 to 18 months behind who are serious about NIL.
Having followed this narrative since the SCOTUS opinion, I think you are beating a dead horse. The deal done with JMI, is
very similar to deals done by other Universities with Learfield. The JMI deal was very lucrative, and
predated by years the SCOTUS opinion allowing NIL.
Hence, lest UK breach a contract they have received millions from, they cannot be so “innovative,” as you suggest, absent opening themselves to a likely successful suit for breach of contract,
and potentially subjecting players to legal action for “third-party-interference-with-contract,” if the JMI contract is breached
to the obvious benefit of the players.
Our real shortfall, I fear, is the simple fact that, unlike Alabama and Tennessee, (and maybe ten others) we
may not have 25,000.00 to 50,000 fans willing to toss $50.00 to $500.00 into collectives to raise millions to effectively support all programs, but especially football and men’s basketball.
But
we just might have them . . . and have certainly been aided by the generosity of Paul Miller Ford, Ale 8 One, the family of the gubernatorial candidate [the Craft’s] Brady James, and several others with deep pockets, or products to sell with endorsements.
I’m as worried as is any fan of UK that we might get left in the dust, but merely persistently bitching about the real or perceived failures of Mitch Barnhart or other boogeymen doesn’t put a dent in the very financial shortfall that concerns you.
I focused my worry, yesterday, with a 100 mile round trip to toss fifteen bucks in with the 15 Club, just so I could get a physical address to deliver checks for my future participation. I told them, “ I’m old-school,” and briefly met the president of the organization and others involved. And that makes me feel more confident in making contributions.
So, I am thinking how I
and you can think, and act with innovation. . . I’m going to try to hook up the QB Club with the 15 Club, and focus family gift-giving for birthdays and Christmas on purchases of products the players profit from.
Maybe Club 15 and this very website need to talk: I’d love to see major supporters of UK NIL receive recognition in a fixed fashion on this site, which might earn Rivals and the collective money and attention.
