I am by no means an “insider”, but away this weekend happened to be with numerous folks connected to the top Bergen County prep schools/sports programs. So while much if this NIL stuff out there tends to be half-truths or flat wrong, figured I’d share what these guys told me, because their role and connection to these places means (to me) they have some clue.
Creighton and Xavier are 1/2 in NIL. And their coaches will use every inch of that. E.g., Xavier made a real NIL push for Ledlum when one of their returning forwards went down. They miss but end up with the Lithuanian kid they just nabbed.
Nova and Georgetown are not far behind. Nova flexed that muscle this year to keep Moore and bring on all the sought after transfers they landed. Cooley is getting after it on this front.
The elite schools are projecting the need for a $2.5-$3m “war chest” to be able annually to “do what you want” by way of player retention, transfers and prep recruits. Less than that the view is you will need to adjust accordingly. Again this is the “elite projections”. Others believe they will be fine enough without.
The NIL-GM hire is something they expect most schools to ultimately do, not just the Duke’s or Nova’s of the world (Baker D). St Johns apparently recently hired Matt Abdelmassih (former assistant who was with an agency) for this role.
NIL is no doubt important to any high major program going forward. But staff still matters. SJU has been better positioned than us NIL-wise, but they weren’t the highest “bidder” for many of the kids they landed, especially the real sought after ones. Pitino’s sale is we will get you some NIL but in the long haul you are better with me because no one is going to prepare you better for a professional career.
Creighton and Xavier are 1/2 in NIL. And their coaches will use every inch of that. E.g., Xavier made a real NIL push for Ledlum when one of their returning forwards went down. They miss but end up with the Lithuanian kid they just nabbed.
Nova and Georgetown are not far behind. Nova flexed that muscle this year to keep Moore and bring on all the sought after transfers they landed. Cooley is getting after it on this front.
The elite schools are projecting the need for a $2.5-$3m “war chest” to be able annually to “do what you want” by way of player retention, transfers and prep recruits. Less than that the view is you will need to adjust accordingly. Again this is the “elite projections”. Others believe they will be fine enough without.
The NIL-GM hire is something they expect most schools to ultimately do, not just the Duke’s or Nova’s of the world (Baker D). St Johns apparently recently hired Matt Abdelmassih (former assistant who was with an agency) for this role.
NIL is no doubt important to any high major program going forward. But staff still matters. SJU has been better positioned than us NIL-wise, but they weren’t the highest “bidder” for many of the kids they landed, especially the real sought after ones. Pitino’s sale is we will get you some NIL but in the long haul you are better with me because no one is going to prepare you better for a professional career.
