NIL buyouts? One HBCU coach thinks that might be the move

NIL and the switch portal have been a game-changers for school sports activities, and they’re impacting HBCU coaches like Robert Jones.

The Norfolk State head coach posed an fascinating proposition on Twitter/X on Monday evening.

“Unpopular opinion: what if school gamers have buyouts like school coaches? Gamers/coaches ought to be capable of go wherever they need BUT when a coach depart(s) he has to pay again a buyout clause often. Nicely what about if a participant depart(s) he pays a % of his new NIL deal? Hmmmm”

Jones’ query comes at an fascinating time. NIL has been a actuality for slightly below three years, and the switch portal a short time longer. Each modifications have altered the panorama of school sports activities as a complete, together with school basketball. However a brand new NCAA rule now permits student-athletes to switch from year-to-year with out penalty so long as they’re in good standing with their present faculty. 

This mixture principally equates to a student-athlete being a free agent on a year-to-year foundation. Whereas it’s a win for gamers — who should be compensated for his or her abilities — the losers are the small-school coaches like Robert Jones. 

Jones landed guard Jamarii Thomas through the switch portal from UNC Wilmington final spring. Thomas had a standout season at NSU, profitable MEAC Participant of The Yr honors whereas serving to NSU to a daily season convention title. Thomas hit the portal following the season, first committing to VCU earlier than discovering a house at South Carolina.

Whereas Norfolk State has a stable basketball historical past as an HBCU/small-school , it can’t compete with the pockets of a state flagship program like South Carolina, which may now use NIL collectives to legally compensate gamers as a substitute of paying them beneath the desk as many bigger colleges have been doing for many years.

Does Robert Jones have a degree? Tell us within the feedback under. 

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NIL buyouts? One HBCU coach thinks that may be the transfer