Stryker
New member
Concur, it is not. Academic eligibility is not a thing anymore. Especially not when every athlete has a one-on-one tutor available at anytime.
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The NIL system
- Thread starter yoda
- Start date
Concur, it is not. Academic eligibility is not a thing anymore. Especially not when every athlete has a one-on-one tutor available at anytime.
Steve Zalutsky
New member
I just joined the Bradley Collective and donated 10$. It does upset me that all the big $$$$ schools have all the advantages in securing top talent players! I just hope my donation means something because at the very least, I want Bradley to have as much of a competitive team on the floor each year that our Collective makes possible! I hope others donate a little something or more! Once again, I hope these donations make a difference!!!!!
Good job SZ. I agree, anyone who can afford a little, please donate or buy some of the authorized merchandise.
I have donated a couple times, and hope to continue.
Here is the main website- https://hotbrave.com/
To donate- https://hotbrave.com/pages/donate-now
Merchandise- https://hotbrave.com/collections (new players are not available yet)
Landof10thcoaches
Member
Why not have something set up for home games donating money for the NIL ? Not everyone can donate lots of money but some people might throw some money at games. Hold raffle tickets for season tickets, win a car or trip to in season tournament and MVC tournament.
A good article by CBS Sports Matt Norlander on the craziness of NIL- https://www.cbssports.com/college-b...g-hits-unthinkable-levels-of-financial-chaos/
Stryker
New member
Good article. Reportedly with the transfer of Robert Wright III from Baylor to BYU, BYU has $8,000,000 tied up in two new player transfers this year.
I expect things to get even crazier. It is no longer about being a blue blood. Shelton Henderson, a 5-star recruit, just de-committed from Duke. Similarly, Acaden Lewis, 7th ranked pt guard, de-committed from Kentucky.
Schools with one mega donor or an extremely loaded collective and really pushing their weight around. Things are going to explode IMO.
Tommy
Well-known member
Great article, Coach.
Reading this: A role player on a mid-major that failed to make the NCAA Tournament will be paid at least $1 million next season. That's where we're at in college hoops. It's just one amazing story out of hundreds being swapped across the sport these days.
makes me understand why CD would leave. We won't be able to maintain any decent player if they have an opportunity to make that kind of cash.
Also interesting to see the top tier NIL money schools ($10M and up, which is insane). Not the list I would have guessed:
Reading this: A role player on a mid-major that failed to make the NCAA Tournament will be paid at least $1 million next season. That's where we're at in college hoops. It's just one amazing story out of hundreds being swapped across the sport these days.
makes me understand why CD would leave. We won't be able to maintain any decent player if they have an opportunity to make that kind of cash.
Also interesting to see the top tier NIL money schools ($10M and up, which is insane). Not the list I would have guessed:
- Arkansas
- BYU
- Duke
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Louisville
- Michigan
- North Carolina
- St. John's
- Texas Tech
Tommy
Well-known member
A role player on a mid-major that failed to make the NCAA Tournament will be paid at least $1 million next season.
If this information is true, what hope is there for a school like BU maintaining any of it's players that get substantial playing time in the future? Is this going to be the end of mid-major basketball?
If this information is true, what hope is there for a school like BU maintaining any of it's players that get substantial playing time in the future? Is this going to be the end of mid-major basketball?
Stryker
New member
Yes. It is the end. It is just taking a few years to play out before us. Many have not recognized it yet.
FWIW- my story --
I called the very first week that the Bradley "Collective" (HOTB) was first announced, literally within hours after the first word of it,
and I asked if I could join and contribute. I mistakenly figured they might want a 40+ year seasonticket holder that's gone to more
Bradley games than all but a handful of other people, and who has been at the highest level of donor support for decades.
But to my surprise, they said they had filled their allotment of members and were not going to take any more.
That stunned me, made it sound like it was an exclusive club only for the "elect" who wanted to schmooze with the team & staff,
something I actually had no interest in myself - I just wanted to help Bradley compete at the highest level.
So, I guess if they don't want my donations, then I will use it to pay my hefty maintenance.
houstonbrave
Active member
yoda- I believe they limited the number the first year but do not any longer. I don’t know the reason but they were very much trying to figure out how it all worked in the early days. So, I personally give them the benefit of the doubt. They are working hard.
Former Illinois, LSU, and Arizona State player, Adam Miller, who averaged 9.8 ppg as a 5th year senior this past season at Arizona State, is being offered $1 million NIL by Illinois, and they are not the highest bidders. - https://x.com/Recru1t1ng_Guru/status/1913389776197103680
This was inevitable... the NCAA has no interest in regulating or policing NIL payments to athletes, nor do they want to fight the continuing lawsuits. So today, the NCAA Board of Directors took the first step toward allowing schools to simply pay the athletes directly - https://www.espn.com/college-sports...poses-new-rules-allow-direct-payments-players
The NCAA Division I Board of Directors on Monday proposed deleting 153 longstanding rules from its handbook, a move that will allow schools to share financial benefits directly with players -- an expected step towards a new era of amateurism in college athletics, but one that remains contingent upon the approval of the House settlement.
NCAA board members met for about four hours on Monday and emerged with nine major proposed legislative changes, including permission for schools to provide direct financial payments to players, including for use of their NIL.
The NCAA Division I Board of Directors on Monday proposed deleting 153 longstanding rules from its handbook, a move that will allow schools to share financial benefits directly with players -- an expected step towards a new era of amateurism in college athletics, but one that remains contingent upon the approval of the House settlement.
NCAA board members met for about four hours on Monday and emerged with nine major proposed legislative changes, including permission for schools to provide direct financial payments to players, including for use of their NIL.
This story isn't basketball, it's football related. But it relates to an inevitable situation with the college NIL system.
Duke University is suing their quarterback, Darian Mensah, for breach of contract because after announcing in December that he would return to school at Duke next season, he has now reversed course and entered the transfer portal. Duke is hoping the lawsuit will force him to remain and play at Duke.
The lawsuit states-
“In July 2025 Mensah signed a multi-year contract with Duke University that ends on December 31, 2026, and which provides Duke a number of rights, including exclusive rights throughout the term to Mensah’s name, image and likeness (“NIL) with respect to higher education and football,” the filed suit read in part. “Duke University has met all of its obligations under that contract. As recently as December 2025, Mensah affirmed his commitment to Duke University. Then, a few hours before the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) deadline for student-athletes in football to initiate notification of transfer (Colloquially, entering the ‘transfer portal), Mensah reversed course, informed Duke that he would seek a transfer, and issued a public farewell. "In so doing, he repudiated the contract. He proposes now to move onto another collegiate institution and act as if his obligations to Duke University do not exist. None of these facts can be disputed. But contracts mean something."
It is reported that the NIL contract between Duke and Mensah pays him $4 million per season, but he is rumored to be getting pursued by Miami (likely for more money) who is looking for a replacement for star quarterback Carson Beck. In a signal that Miami has secured a commitment to replace Beck for next season, their current backup quarterback, Emory Williams, just entered the transfer portal, too.
www.espn.com
Duke University is suing their quarterback, Darian Mensah, for breach of contract because after announcing in December that he would return to school at Duke next season, he has now reversed course and entered the transfer portal. Duke is hoping the lawsuit will force him to remain and play at Duke.
The lawsuit states-
“In July 2025 Mensah signed a multi-year contract with Duke University that ends on December 31, 2026, and which provides Duke a number of rights, including exclusive rights throughout the term to Mensah’s name, image and likeness (“NIL) with respect to higher education and football,” the filed suit read in part. “Duke University has met all of its obligations under that contract. As recently as December 2025, Mensah affirmed his commitment to Duke University. Then, a few hours before the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) deadline for student-athletes in football to initiate notification of transfer (Colloquially, entering the ‘transfer portal), Mensah reversed course, informed Duke that he would seek a transfer, and issued a public farewell. "In so doing, he repudiated the contract. He proposes now to move onto another collegiate institution and act as if his obligations to Duke University do not exist. None of these facts can be disputed. But contracts mean something."
It is reported that the NIL contract between Duke and Mensah pays him $4 million per season, but he is rumored to be getting pursued by Miami (likely for more money) who is looking for a replacement for star quarterback Carson Beck. In a signal that Miami has secured a commitment to replace Beck for next season, their current backup quarterback, Emory Williams, just entered the transfer portal, too.
Duke sues Darian Mensah, tries to stop transfer portal entry
Duke sued QB Darian Mensah on Tuesday, and a judge denied a request for a temporary restraining order that would have prevented him from entering the transfer portal.
tomahawk chop
Active member
I would guess that he is able to break his contract at Duke simply because there are no rules and a judge will allow it to happen.This story isn't basketball, it's football related. But it relates to an inevitable situation with the college NIL system.
Duke University is suing their quarterback, Darian Mensah, for breach of contract because after announcing in December that he would return to school at Duke next season, he has now reversed course and entered the transfer portal. Duke is hoping the lawsuit will force him to remain and play at Duke.
The lawsuit states-
“In July 2025 Mensah signed a multi-year contract with Duke University that ends on December 31, 2026, and which provides Duke a number of rights, including exclusive rights throughout the term to Mensah’s name, image and likeness (“NIL) with respect to higher education and football,” the filed suit read in part. “Duke University has met all of its obligations under that contract. As recently as December 2025, Mensah affirmed his commitment to Duke University. Then, a few hours before the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) deadline for student-athletes in football to initiate notification of transfer (Colloquially, entering the ‘transfer portal), Mensah reversed course, informed Duke that he would seek a transfer, and issued a public farewell. "In so doing, he repudiated the contract. He proposes now to move onto another collegiate institution and act as if his obligations to Duke University do not exist. None of these facts can be disputed. But contracts mean something."
It is reported that the NIL contract between Duke and Mensah pays him $4 million per season, but he is rumored to be getting pursued by Miami (likely for more money) who is looking for a replacement for star quarterback Carson Beck. In a signal that Miami has secured a commitment to replace Beck for next season, their current backup quarterback, Emory Williams, just entered the transfer portal, too.
Duke sues Darian Mensah, tries to stop transfer portal entry
Duke sued QB Darian Mensah on Tuesday, and a judge denied a request for a temporary restraining order that would have prevented him from entering the transfer portal.
tomahawk chop
Active member
He signed a contract which should mean something period. I highly doubt this player will not perform up to his standards if he is held to the contract he signed with Duke. The other thing I would say is had he played poorly for Duke he would have stayed and that contract would be binding.Time for him to grow up and honor his committment.
With this kid's talent and performance last season, Duke just won the ACC outright in 2025 for the first time since 1962 (they were co-champions in 1989).
As a result, they have sold a ton of season tickets for 2026, and taken in millions in donations from their suddenly large football fan base. He would have been a high NFL draft pick this summer (so I don't think there is any chance of him sabotaging his own performance), but instead, he declared his loyalty to Duke on Dec. 19, and said he would not enter the draft and would return to Duke for 2026. But apparently, the NIL "agents" got to him with a better offer, and suddenly, his loyalty disappeared.
Now, by going back on his word (and contract), it screws Duke and their fans, and gives the coach little chance to find another quarterback in the portal. Their promising outlook for 2026 just headed down the drain.
And, yes, he is violating the terms of the NIL contract he signed, for a measly $4 million per year.
We all agree this NIL system has corrupted college sports, more for the mid-majors than the big boys, but IMO this case seems to be as good as any to fight back, even if it is one of the big boys getting screwed.
And, I don't know everything that is in his contract (here is an article that shows some of the stipulations) but there is a ton of legal precedent to holding someone to a legal contract or determining damages if they violate it.
As a result, they have sold a ton of season tickets for 2026, and taken in millions in donations from their suddenly large football fan base. He would have been a high NFL draft pick this summer (so I don't think there is any chance of him sabotaging his own performance), but instead, he declared his loyalty to Duke on Dec. 19, and said he would not enter the draft and would return to Duke for 2026. But apparently, the NIL "agents" got to him with a better offer, and suddenly, his loyalty disappeared.
Now, by going back on his word (and contract), it screws Duke and their fans, and gives the coach little chance to find another quarterback in the portal. Their promising outlook for 2026 just headed down the drain.
And, yes, he is violating the terms of the NIL contract he signed, for a measly $4 million per year.
We all agree this NIL system has corrupted college sports, more for the mid-majors than the big boys, but IMO this case seems to be as good as any to fight back, even if it is one of the big boys getting screwed.
And, I don't know everything that is in his contract (here is an article that shows some of the stipulations) but there is a ton of legal precedent to holding someone to a legal contract or determining damages if they violate it.