Kofi Cockburn in the transfer portal

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#976      
LongLiveTheChief
TarheelIllini said:
Honestly there is no way you can accurately predict the NIL money. There is no way to predict how the season will play out... But imagine the duo of Curbelo and Kofi. 2 great personalities, one Puerto Rican and the other Jamaican. Living the American basketball dream. It is not hard to imagine how that can play out to NIL riches, from an international perspective. These are rich story lines. The brand at Kentucky is Kentucky. This shouldn't be about a blue blood vs a non blue blood. That's old school thinking and this is a new era.
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It is worth adding to your last point that Kentucky always has good basketball teams, but to be a top team with a championship starved fan base surely garners some extra publicity and hence extra $$.
That said. There’s no way to ACCURATELY predict NIL, but you could certainly HONESTLY predict it and I think that’s the point people are trying to make. It’s easy to tell a recruit you think he will make X million dollars, even if you don’t believe it because you think it’s what he wants to hear. Honest predictions, even if wrong, tend to be more conservative.
 
#978      
TarheelIllini
Illini0440Tribute said:
It is worth adding to your last point that Kentucky always has good basketball teams, but to be a top team with a championship starved fan base surely garners some extra publicity and hence extra $$.
That said. There’s no way to ACCURATELY predict NIL, but you could certainly HONESTLY predict it and I think that’s the point people are trying to make. It’s easy to tell a recruit you think he will make X million dollars, even if you don’t believe it because you think it’s what he wants to hear. Honest predictions, even if wrong, tend to be more conservative.
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I would counter that the premise of a "Championship-starved fan base" driving revenue is an example of outdated thinking. The big NIL money won't come from the starving fan base. There are piles of corporate, national, international, possibly even cosmic money out there. See BigTen vs SEC as an example. SEC football fans are the hungriest (and most numerous) in the land, but yet the Big Ten brought in far more revenue than the SEC.
www.si.com

Big Ten Daily: Big Ten Led All Conferences in 2020 Revenue

The Big Ten's total revenue dropped in 2020, but it was still about $40 million higher than the SEC. The conference lowered payouts to its 12 longest-standing members by about $1.3 million per school to $54.3 million.
www.si.com www.si.com

Bottom line: we should absolutely in no way think that Kentucky has an advantage over us in the NIL game. This is instead an opportunity to create an advantage FOR us.
 
#979      
LongLiveTheChief
TarheelIllini said:
I would counter that the premise of a "Championship-starved fan base" driving revenue is an example of outdated thinking. The big NIL money won't come from the starving fan base. There are piles of corporate, national, international, possibly even cosmic money out there. See BigTen vs SEC as an example. SEC football fans are the hungriest (and most numerous) in the land, but yet the Big Ten brought in far more revenue than the SEC.
www.si.com

Big Ten Daily: Big Ten Led All Conferences in 2020 Revenue

The Big Ten's total revenue dropped in 2020, but it was still about $40 million higher than the SEC. The conference lowered payouts to its 12 longest-standing members by about $1.3 million per school to $54.3 million.
www.si.com www.si.com

Bottom line: we should absolutely in no way think that Kentucky has an advantage over us in the NIL game. This is instead an opportunity to create an advantage FOR us.
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Just to clarify - Illinois is the championship starved fanbase. SEC is the more dominant football conference, yet big ten drives the money because the teams DONT win as often. When you are always the best, there’s less energy when you’re simply good again.
 
#980      
Calvin
TarheelIllini said:
Honestly there is no way you can accurately predict the NIL money.
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I don't see why that would necessarily be the case. If it's selling clothing, or ads based on IG followers, then sure, it could vary a lot. But if it's a booster with a business ready to offer a set contract, the money should be reliable. And my suspicion is that top programs will have a funnel to get top talent with those, since players will prefer that kind of income. If two teams are trying to land a coveted talent, the one who comes forward with the most money already lined up seems like it would have a big advantage.

This season will be a trail-blazing one. Word will get out as to how programs attracted players, how well they lived up to promises, etc. The tactics that work will become the norm, regardless of what we think of them.
 
#981      
doowink
Illini0440Tribute said:
It is worth adding to your last point that Kentucky always has good basketball teams, but to be a top team with a championship starved fan base surely garners some extra publicity and hence extra $$.
That said. There’s no way to ACCURATELY predict NIL, but you could certainly HONESTLY predict it and I think that’s the point people are trying to make. It’s easy to tell a recruit you think he will make X million dollars, even if you don’t believe it because you think it’s what he wants to hear. Honest predictions, even if wrong, tend to be more conservative.
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I would think if a coach would tell a recruit that we can guarantee you X number of NIL dollars...then that coach has a donor or someone telling him I'll guarantee that amount.....player may make more but we can guarantee this.....now if your team has a great season and makes a deep run in March I could see a recruit picking up much more as a season progresses
 
#982      
IllinistuckinGopherland
TarheelIllini said:
But imagine the duo of Curbelo and Kofi. 2 great personalities, one Puerto Rican and the other Jamaican. Living the American basketball dream. It is not hard to imagine how that can play out to NIL riches, from an international perspective. These are rich story lines.
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Someone needs to pitch a Netflix “hard knocks”/“last dance” concept where AC and KC are the stars. The story is bigger than basketball, so could have huge viewership. And give them some kind of share/royalties.
 
#983      
LongLiveTheChief
doowink said:
I would think if a coach would tell a recruit that we can guarantee you X number of NIL dollars...then that coach has a donor or someone telling him I'll guarantee that amount.....player may make more but we can guarantee this.....now if your team has a great season and makes a deep run in March I could see a recruit picking up much more as a season progresses
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You can “predict” and not believe what you’re saying. I can tell you i predict Kofi to make $100m in nil. That would be a dishonest prediction. Pretty sure guarantees are part of what the ncaa has said is not allowed, not to say it doesn’t happen, but I would expect they are also throwing “expected” numbers, whether those numbers are even close to accurate or not
 
#984      
Cubfanbudman
As it pertains to navigating the NIL generally, but with an eye towards the Kofi situation more specifically, I think my pitch if I'm Illinois or a similarly situated school (ie a D1 school that is not a blue blood and is chasing elite talent) is the concept of "penny wise, pound foolish."

Let's set aside development and likelihood of getting to the NBA at each program for a second and just consider the money aspect. In terms of 1-2 years of NIL money, most D1 schools are not gonna compete with the big boys, that's just the reality. But would you rather get a year or 2 of big money, or a solid source of income for life? With all due respect to Kofi, Kentucky fans are not gonna remember his name in 5 years; hell, I'm not sure Cal is gonna remember his name in 5 years. The reality is, the marketability there is "Kentucky player", not "Kofi Cockburn." That's why I think Kentucky would be a mistake for him, and and that's the angle I would push to any major recruit in this landscape. You can be a legend here, with marketability and opportunity forever, or you can be the man there for 2 years before you fade into oblivion. Obviously if you become a star NBA player it's a different story, but considering the old adage that "99% of D1 athletes go pro in something else", you need to consider the possibility that you're not gonna be a star at the next level (or even have an extended career). What does the next stage of your life after basketball look like, whether that's in 2 years or 20? Where are you gonna sell more Cockburn jerseys and t-shirts in the next 5 decades?

Ultimately, IMO I think its critical for the non-blue bloods to be very protectionist of their brand in this landscape. "It's just business" goes both ways. There's no need for animosity, beef, jealousy, vindictiveness, etc. but I would suggest that most programs need to be very selective as to who gets their continuing support and affiliation. Programs like ours thrive on taking undervalued recruits who didn't have those blue blood offers and developing them into the kind of player any team would take in a heartbeat (like Kofi). But if you're going to allow them to come here for 2 years, transfer to the blue blood, and maintain all their status and standing at your university, you will quickly become nothing more than a feeder school with no extended stability or success. So sure Kofi, you can go to Kentucky, but if you dont have a long NBA career, don't come back to us looking for merchandise sales, marketing opportunities, cushy administrative/coaching jobs, jersey retirements, etc. while lamenting that Cal and the Kentucky fans forgot who you are. Again, no animosity, "it's just business."

It's up to Kofi (and hundreds like him now and in the future) to make these decisions for themselves. For a select few, the blue blood route makes sense. But from the "penny wise, pound foolish" standpoint, I think most players would be much better suited for life after basketball having left a legacy at a non-blue blood versus being just another player at ___. And that would be the heart of my recruiting pitch for any recruit asking as to what kind of financial opportunities they can expect at Illinois/[insert non-blue blood].
 
#986      
purcy51
blackdog said:
I think its still easy to forget that the man has only been playing ball for what 5 years? Incredible growth in such a short time. I would fully expect he is nowhere near his skill ceiling. It gets a little silly sometimes when people talk like its going to be hard for him to get better. A lot of the stuff he is doing its his first time. Totally different from a normal guy his age who has been playing since they were 4 and is pretty set with what they can/can't do.
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If Kofi can develop his game, in practice, to the point the BU is comfortable with him expanding his range in games then I'm all for it. Kofi is nowhere near his ceiling in my opinion. AND thus far he has proved he can learn and develop in leaps and bounds IMHO.
 
#988      
illinitiger
Illini in Indiana said:
I know I am "old school", and I like telling the truth and delivering. We have helped a 4 star recruit become a player that is highly coveted, we AC that can get him the ball, we have Fletch to continue to develop his body, and I am sure we will help develop the skills the NBA is looking for along with NIL $$$.

Others will promise more. But if this is not enough, let him go. We need to take the high road.

IMO, he is a level headed kid and he will stay.
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I like your old school thinking. The logic you layout would point to a rational decision to return to Illini. This world is not always rational, unfortunately
 
#989      
IllinistuckinGopherland
Honest question, why doesn’t someone with a large Illini fan following (I’ll throw out Ked as an example) work with the administration to get a deal on jerseys - say $20 a piece - then pre-sell signed Kofi jerseys at $520 each - only if he comes back. Then go to Kofi and say we’ve got $500k of fan-love money already keyed up for you. I’d buy a signed NPOY Illini jersey for $520, when I knew I was directly contributing to our success - in a heartbeat.
 
#990      
LongLiveTheChief
IllinistuckinGopherland said:
Honest question, why doesn’t someone with a large Illini fan following (I’ll throw out Ked as an example) work with the administration to get a deal on jerseys - say $20 a piece - then pre-sell signed Kofi jerseys at $520 each - only if he comes back. Then go to Kofi and say we’ve got $500k of fan-love money already keyed up for you. I’d buy a signed NPOY Illini jersey for $520, when I knew I was directly contributing to our success - in a heartbeat.
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I believe there are built in rules to prevent exactly this
 
#991      
IllinistuckinGopherland
Illini0440Tribute said:
I believe there are built in rules to prevent exactly this
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Fair enough. But as an active player, maybe they could set it up as “Sept 1st, Kofi signing jerseys at *insert name of whatever is like Kam’s* now and presell tickets or something. I don’t know the rules, but I’m willing to bet there are a LOT more Illini fans willing to drop $500 for a piece of “Kofi to the Illini” then there are UK fans looking to drop $500 to add to a team of all Americans
 
#992      
illinitiger
IllinistuckinGopherland said:
Honest question, why doesn’t someone with a large Illini fan following (I’ll throw out Ked as an example) work with the administration to get a deal on jerseys - say $20 a piece - then pre-sell signed Kofi jerseys at $520 each - only if he comes back. Then go to Kofi and say we’ve got $500k of fan-love money already keyed up for you. I’d buy a signed NPOY Illini jersey for $520, when I knew I was directly contributing to our success - in a heartbeat.
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I'll preorder a signed shirt described and will be glad to invest in "market Illini Kofi" go fund me page....I'm all in as a co investor. I just think Kofi can be an Iconic Illini former player and that will diminish if he plays his last year somewhere else.

Does anyone have a link to " built in rules"? Since NIL is brand new I'm skeptical that there are any?
 
#994      
STL Illini
IllinistuckinGopherland said:
Fair enough. But as an active player, maybe they could set it up as “Sept 1st, Kofi signing jerseys at *insert name of whatever is like Kam’s* now and presell tickets or something. I don’t know the rules, but I’m willing to bet there are a LOT more Illini fans willing to drop $500 for a piece of “Kofi to the Illini” then there are UK fans looking to drop $500 to add to a team of all Americans
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Read the Opendorse information that UI DIA published.
Part of the restrictions are that the student athlete cannot use their schools logo, name, etc Jerseys, UI hats, etc are out.
Coaches and representatives are also disallowed to connect a business person, sponsor, company, etc with a student athlete.
So much of what is being discussed by those saying “we should….” is a crystal clear violation. All the talk about coaches lining this up for student athletes is clearly putting players, coaches, schools, programs, and reputations at risk.
For all those that would like to say “well, coaches cheat, programs cheat…..” I get that.
So now let’s address the concept or idea being floated to “promise” an athlete a million bucks, have it lined up for him/her and they can say or do whatever they want to get that athlete committed……over promise.
By Intentionally overpromising or deceiving an athlete and they actually cash in on 25% or 50% of that ‘guaranteed” million bucks and you think there is no recourse?
There will be plenty of recourse. That disgruntled athlete, on their way out the door to go pro has to simply leak a bit of info. “Yea, I chose “Kentucky” because coach Cal and Antigua promised me they had lined up a million in sponsorships. They connected me with adidas and a car dealer, but actually they only came through with half of what they said they had lined up for me.” NCAA Investigation ensues.
For those that don’t think the NCAA would not love to make a few examples of schools is crazy.
NIL compromised the power and influence of the NCAA. They would love nothing more than to tamp it down and regain some of the control they lost.
Either way….read the document that clearly defines what coaches and schools ‘legally’ have the ability to do.
For all of those that are still a nay sayer…fine.
However, I am ok with UI, BU, and JW actually doing their best to stay compliant….even if that means few and far between on the 5* one and done types.
 
#995      
illini80
illinitiger said:
I'll preorder a signed shirt described and will be glad to invest in "market Illini Kofi" go fund me page....I'm all in as a co investor. I just think Kofi can be an Iconic Illini former player and that will diminish if he plays his last year somewhere else.

Does anyone have a link to " built in rules"? Since NIL is brand new I'm skeptical that there are any?
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Here is a link from the NCAA. It simply says it's ok as long as it complies with state laws. So basically they punted.

NCAA adopts interim name, image and likeness policy

NCAA college athletes will have the opportunity to benefit from their name, image and likeness beginning Thursday. Governance bodies in all three divisions today
www.ncaa.org www.ncaa.org

It also means the rules are not the same for all schools.
 
#999      
KrushCow31
illinitiger said:
I will pay 500 for a signed blank orange jersey with 21 on it. I will pay $1000 for same jersey with Chief Illiniwek logo on it (no longer an official team marking).
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Now that's an even more interesting question. Does it have to be active team marking? Because Illinois still holds the patent for the Chief logo, so technically it would be the school getting money for it and they would have to license it out, making it sort of official again.
 
#1,000      
JustPassing
Chukwuwumba said:
thoughts
Kofi not coming back to Illinois.
There will be a new rule in place related to NIL due to what happens with Kofi. That seems to how ILL fits into history.
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Did anyone not anticipate such a scenario - re-recruiting a player, in the NIL era? Forget this particular situation.
 
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