2026 recruiting

[MJSooner]

The optimist in me would like to think that if we are even in the mix with 3 bluebloods and 2 new bloods, all of which are known for recruiting at one time or another, it tells me we are at least in the game with NIL as far as $$.

We would be falling in the top 5, top 6, or top 9 if we weren't competitive. Maybe the BMDs and admin stepping up wasn't just for the portal.

Now just need to close it with one or two of these guys.

 

[NickZepp]

Seems like we are in on way more top talent than in past years.

 

[sdcloud9]

The optimist in me would like to think that if we are even in the mix with 3 bluebloods and 2 new bloods, all of which are known for recruiting at one time or another, it tells me we are at least in the game with NIL as far as $$.

We would be falling in the top 5, top 6, or top 9 if we weren't competitive. Maybe the BMDs and admin stepping up wasn't just for the portal.

Now just need to close it with one or two of these guys.

Makes me wonder if it's just Trae in the NIL game or if he got Blake and some others involved.

 

[WTSooner]

Makes me wonder if it's just Trae in the NIL game or if he got Blake and some others involved.

Outside NIL isn't a really big thing right now. It comes from the school, or it's heavily scrutinized. Anything signed/paid after 7/1/25 from outside of the school is being looked at. It's been reported MANY deals have been turned down. So no, I don't think Young or Griffin are able to help much in the current environment, at least not from a money-perspective.

And before somebody jumps in and talks about lawsuits, legality, or any of that nonsense, to the best of my knowledge, there have been no lawsuits files yet related to the post-7/1/25 rules. Maybe somebody challenges it down the road, but as of now, those are the rules.

 

[BoulderSooner]

Outside NIL isn't a really big thing right now. It comes from the school, or it's heavily scrutinized. Anything signed/paid after 7/1/25 from outside of the school is being looked at. It's been reported MANY deals have been turned down. So no, I don't think Young or Griffin are able to help much in the current environment, at least not from a money-perspective.

And before somebody jumps in and talks about lawsuits, legality, or any of that nonsense, to the best of my knowledge, there have been no lawsuits files yet related to the post-7/1/25 rules. Maybe somebody challenges it down the road, but as of now, those are the rules.

collective payments are a go again already (and already pretty big .. outside NIL is 100% still a thing)

... and there will soon be a lawsuit on limiting the amount of those in any way ..

 

[WTSooner]

collective payments are a go again already (and already pretty big .. outside NIL is 100% still a thing)

... and there will soon be a lawsuit on limiting the amount of those in any way ..

Collectives still can't send money to a kid without the approval of the NIL Clearinghouse or whatever it's called.

I know you don't think it will hold up in court (I disagree), but there have been no lawsuits filed. As of now, there are rules. Will it last? I dunno.

You and lawsuits. smh

 

[WTSooner]

collective payments are a go again already (and already pretty big .. outside NIL is 100% still a thing)

... and there will soon be a lawsuit on limiting the amount of those in any way ..

Commission rejecting some athlete NIL deals

The new agency in charge of regulating name, image, likeness deals in college sports sent a letter to schools Thursday saying it had rejected deals between players and donor-backed collectives formed over the past several years.

www.espn.com

Nearly 100% of NIL Deals Through Collectives Rejected

Nearly 100% of NIL Deals Through Collectives Rejected

247sports.com

The new college sports agency is rejecting some athlete NIL deals with donor-backed collectives

The new agency in charge of regulating name, image, likeness deals in college sports sent a letter to schools Thursday saying it had rejected deals between players and donor-backed collectives formed over the past several years to funnel money to athletes or their schools. The letter to...

sports.yahoo.com

 

[WTSooner]

Again, I'm not talking about what MAY happen in the future. I'm talking about what is happening right now. And it's certainly not OU and Joe C. allowing rouge NIL deals from Young and Griffin.

 

[BoulderSooner]

Commission rejecting some athlete NIL deals

The new agency in charge of regulating name, image, likeness deals in college sports sent a letter to schools Thursday saying it had rejected deals between players and donor-backed collectives formed over the past several years.

www.espn.com

Nearly 100% of NIL Deals Through Collectives Rejected

Nearly 100% of NIL Deals Through Collectives Rejected

247sports.com

The new college sports agency is rejecting some athlete NIL deals with donor-backed collectives

The new agency in charge of regulating name, image, likeness deals in college sports sent a letter to schools Thursday saying it had rejected deals between players and donor-backed collectives formed over the past several years to funnel money to athletes or their schools. The letter to...

sports.yahoo.com

all of that is old info .. the plaintiff attorneys said that went against the settlement and were going to go back to the judge or sue .

and they reached an agreement .. and collectives became good to go once again ..

Deal on ‘valid business purpose’ avoids threat of college NIL settlement heading back to court

The new agency vetting name, image and likeness deals in college sports reached an agreement that relaxes standards on player agreements with third-party collectives and avoids taking the issue back to court after years of legal wrangling.

sports.yahoo.com

Deal on ‘valid business purpose’ avoids threat of college NIL settlement heading back to court

The new agency vetting name, image and likeness deals in college sports reached an agreement Thursday that relaxes standards on player agreements with third-party collectives and avoids taking the issue back to court after years of legal wrangling.

www.washingtontimes.com

 

[BoulderSooner]

Collectives still can't send money to a kid without the approval of the NIL Clearinghouse or whatever it's called.

I know you don't think it will hold up in court (I disagree), but there have been no lawsuits filed. As of now, there are rules. Will it last? I dunno.

You and lawsuits. smh

there is 0 chance the clearing house deciding what "fair value" is holds up in court

 

[WTSooner]

there is 0 chance the clearing house deciding what "fair value" is holds up in court

We'll see.

Fair value is a "thing" in many other aspects of business and government, there is no reason it can't be here. And you suggest that schools are going to want to litigate this. I don't know that they will. I think schools and coaching staffs want NIL reigned in. I don't see them out there encouraging boosters and such to file lawsuits. Especially at the major schools.

 

[WTSooner]

all of that is old info .. the plaintiff attorneys said that went against the settlement and were going to go back to the judge or sue .

and they reached an agreement .. and collectives became good to go once again ..

Deal on ‘valid business purpose’ avoids threat of college NIL settlement heading back to court

The new agency vetting name, image and likeness deals in college sports reached an agreement that relaxes standards on player agreements with third-party collectives and avoids taking the issue back to court after years of legal wrangling.

sports.yahoo.com

Deal on ‘valid business purpose’ avoids threat of college NIL settlement heading back to court

The new agency vetting name, image and likeness deals in college sports reached an agreement Thursday that relaxes standards on player agreements with third-party collectives and avoids taking the issue back to court after years of legal wrangling.

www.washingtontimes.com

Collectives can enter into NIL deals, but AS OF RIGHT NOW, they still have to follow the valid business purpose rules and be subjected to the Clearinghouse. Did you even read the article you posted? All that really changed there is that Collectives are allowed to enter into deals again, but the valid business purpose is still required.

Regardless, as long as Joe C. is employed by OU, you know we aren't out there playing in any grey areas.

 

[BoulderSooner]

Collectives can enter into NIL deals, but AS OF RIGHT NOW, they still have to follow the valid business purpose rules and be subjected to the Clearinghouse. Did you even read the article you posted? All that really changed there is that Collectives are allowed to enter into deals again, but the valid business purpose is still required.

Regardless, as long as Joe C. is employed by OU, you know we aren't out there playing in any grey areas.

right .... like sign a football john mateer for 500 bucks .. or promotion which is a "valid" purpose ..


and if you can do that once you can do that 1000 times ... (remember there is NO follow on on these deals and it is not the business of the approval authority to audit any of these businesses to see if they are making or losing money .. (that is not in their purview) ..

1000 x 500 = 500k it is back to the wild west ...(it never really changed )


the point is that outside NIL is still a massive deal at tons of schools

 

[WTSooner]

right .... like sign a football john mateer for 500 bucks .. or promotion which is a "valid" purpose ..


and if you can do that once you can do that 1000 times ... (remember there is NO follow on on these deals and it is not the business of the approval authority to audit any of these businesses to see if they are making or losing money .. (that is not in their purview) ..

1000 x 500 = 500k it is back to the wild west ...(it never really changed )


the point is that outside NIL is still a massive deal at tons of schools

They will absolutely audit the $500.

How much does Pat Mahomes get for signing a football? $400? Pretty tough to suggest Mateer should get $500.

But I don't have a big problem with something like this, as long as it's borderline reasonable. If Mateer wants to take the time to sign 1,000 footballs that will then be out on the market for sale or given away, that's a lot better than handing Mateer that money for nothing or paying him to show up and speak at an event he doesn't show up and speak at. At least there is something tangible and transaction like in your example, even if I disagree with the dollar amount. My guess is your $500 is a little high and wouldn't hold up, but lower it to $100, maybe that's a deal.

 

[MJSooner]

there is 0 chance the clearing house deciding what "fair value" is holds up in court

We'll see.

Fair value is a "thing" in many other aspects of business and government, there is no reason it can't be here. And you suggest that schools are going to want to litigate this. I don't know that they will. I think schools and coaching staffs want NIL reigned in. I don't see them out there encouraging boosters and such to file lawsuits. Especially at the major schools.

I see your point WT, but I think I lean toward Boulder on this one.

I'm looking at a Dr J signed jersey online right now. There are a few of the jerseys that aren't even "real" Sixers jerseys and about the same price as an official jersey. Are they worth the same? Absolutely not, but market value is the same as that's what people are willing to pay. But what is the real "fair value" if someone is willing to pay that price?

The point? That is what fair value is. An agreed price between buyer and seller. And it's usually determined by the market, by supply and demand. It is not defined or determined by an accountant. That is the book value or appraised value. And we have all seen, even in the last couple of years, in the housing market and stock market, the disparity that can exist between fair value and book/appraised value.

You are correct- fair value is a thing in business and government balance sheets. But Deloitte and Touche doesn't decide how much a John Mateer autograph is worth. The buyer and seller do, and what the going demand is in the market.

I hope I'm wrong for the sake of reigning this thing in, but as Boulder said, no way an accounting firm's valuation or opinion on what someone's Name Image and Likeness is worth holds up in the courts.

 

[WTSooner]

But Deloitte and Touche doesn't decide how much a John Mateer autograph is worth.

Yes they do. It's not an exact number, but a logical range. They have the ability to look at what other people are getting paid. Find a comp. Find 2 comps. Find a dozen comps. It's pretty easy to see when somebody is just sending money and faking the transaction part. Right? We've all seen, heard about, and discussed NIL deals or money changing hands and said "no way that is anything other than somebody buying a player."

That is what D&T is there to stop, the clearly obvious, fake transaction deals.

The "it's worth what somebody is willing to pay" argument goes out the window since we're trying to steer clear of players simply being bought. A donor/booster doesn't get to just make up a number because they want to buy a kid. And no fan should want that to be acceptable. I'm not saying there aren't still going to be work arounds. I'm not saying things might not go back to boosters simply providing benefits in dark alleys. To the point they are trying to keep things on the up and up, it's pretty easy to know what is fair and what is not. Will something needs to change legal-wise down the road? Maybe. I've hated the idea of players unionizing in the past, but I know see that them doing so and agreeing to collective bargaining MAY be the best path forward. It's such a nuanced thing b/c unlike the NFL (for example), the different conferences and different levels of college football all operate a little differently already. And there is so much history in terms of being able to re-organize conferences and how the sport is played off the field.

But enough people that matter are sick of the money grab and pay to play that I think you'll see some version of what is going on now, stick. It's been here 6 weeks and there hasn't been a lawsuit filed that I'm aware of. I haven't seen any players crying publicly about having deals turned down by the Clearinghouse. D&T isn't going to be unfair about things. They literally audit fair value for a living. That's what they do. So I will never agree that a general fair value cannot be determined for most of these deals.

 

[snydrosooner]

I see your point WT, but I think I lean toward Boulder on this one.

I'm looking at a Dr J signed jersey online right now. There are a few of the jerseys that aren't even "real" Sixers jerseys and about the same price as an official jersey. Are they worth the same? Absolutely not, but market value is the same as that's what people are willing to pay. But what is the real "fair value" if someone is willing to pay that price?

The point? That is what fair value is. An agreed price between buyer and seller. And it's usually determined by the market, by supply and demand. It is not defined or determined by an accountant. That is the book value or appraised value. And we have all seen, even in the last couple of years, in the housing market and stock market, the disparity that can exist between fair value and book/appraised value.

You are correct- fair value is a thing in business and government balance sheets. But Deloitte and Touche doesn't decide how much a John Mateer autograph is worth. The buyer and seller do, and what the going demand is in the market.

I hope I'm wrong for the sake of reigning this thing in, but as Boulder said, no way an accounting firm's valuation or opinion on what someone's Name Image and Likeness is worth holds up in the courts.

As someone who works in appraisal industry, there will be a range set. It will be adjusted yearly and always outliers for someone like Travis hunter. Remember these companies or persons offering the money will also get audited especially if public.

 

[SoonerBounce13]

I see your point WT, but I think I lean toward Boulder on this one.

I'm looking at a Dr J signed jersey online right now. There are a few of the jerseys that aren't even "real" Sixers jerseys and about the same price as an official jersey. Are they worth the same? Absolutely not, but market value is the same as that's what people are willing to pay. But what is the real "fair value" if someone is willing to pay that price?

The point? That is what fair value is. An agreed price between buyer and seller. And it's usually determined by the market, by supply and demand. It is not defined or determined by an accountant. That is the book value or appraised value. And we have all seen, even in the last couple of years, in the housing market and stock market, the disparity that can exist between fair value and book/appraised value.

You are correct- fair value is a thing in business and government balance sheets. But Deloitte and Touche doesn't decide how much a John Mateer autograph is worth. The buyer and seller do, and what the going demand is in the market.

I hope I'm wrong for the sake of reigning this thing in, but as Boulder said, no way an accounting firm's valuation or opinion on what someone's Name Image and Likeness is worth holds up in the courts.

Fair market value is not what one person will pay for something. This comes up every year it seems.
There are different definitions put out by different institutions.
But there is generally a difference between market value and fair market value.

If mulitple people are putting an offer on a house and the top bid is $500k but someone comes in and is tired of the process and has buttloads of money and offers $700k, the house doesn't all of a sudden be worth $700k on the market and surrounding houses are not going to increase in value just from one person overpaying because of their individual desire and circumstances.

 

[MJSooner]

As someone who works in appraisal industry, there will be a range set. It will be adjusted yearly and always outliers for someone like Travis hunter. Remember these companies or persons offering the money will also get audited especially if public.

Appreciate the input and perspective.

But as someone who works with appraised values, wouldn't you agree that the market value (which is what fair value is) of what a buyer and seller agree to pay isn't always equal to appraised value? No one is arguing that Delliote and Touche, or any accountant, will have a process to determine a value. But how does that apply to the market value of a name, image, and likeness? And how can you determine a "fair value" from an appraised value on an athlete? The market for a QB at OU is going to be different than the market value for a QB at Boise State. It's not like you can put a slot value for a QB based on "comps" as the variance will be great and wouldn't hold up in court.

IMO, people need to quit looking at this NIL and how stupid the values are and thinking rules & courts will fix it. They can fix the contract or fixed values. But like pro athletes, CBAs, player unions, etc, do not control the endorsement deals. College athletes will win in the courts. Name, image, & likeness is not unlike endorsement deals.

 

[WichitaSooner]

'Game changer': Kansas gets hefty $300M gift

Kansas has received an unprecedented $300 million gift from donor David Booth, believed to be among the largest single gifts in the history of college athletics.

www.espn.com

Didn’t think this worthy of a new thread, but since this one has included lots of financial discussion, figured I’d drop it here. And damn it would be nice if OU had someone willing and able to drop this kind of coin on the athletic department, especially hoops.