Portal Costs, Title IX Lawsuit, House v. NCAA Update, + ICYMI & More | NIL Newsletter #203
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Major News
Matt Rhule, Experts Share the Cost of the Portal
This week, Matt Rhule stated that a good quarterback in the portal could cost as much as “$1, $1.5, $2 million.” Rhule may have been posturing to encourage donors, but the number is fairly accurate.
According to Jason Belzer, founder of Student Athlete NIL, the accurate market value for a top graded quarterback in the portal (based on grades from Pro Football Focus) is upwards of $350,000. Although this number is much lower than the one given by Rhule, there are very few top-level quarterbacks in the portal, leading to “bidding wars.”
Other positions commanding large deals from the portal include defensive backs, defensive linemen, wide receivers, and running backs. Top graded players from those positions are expected to command deals of up to $200,000.
One general manager at a Power 5 university said the going rate for a Day 2 draft pick who returned to school was close to $500,000 last year, but projects it to be over $1.5 million this year.
Title IX Lawsuit at Oregon Includes Collectives
A group of 32 University of Oregon female athletes filed a sex-discrimination (Title IX) lawsuit against Oregon late this week.
The plaintiffs, which include 26 members of the Oregon women’s beach volleyball team and 6 club rowers, allege that Oregon is depriving them of equal athletic financial aid and other resources.
Under Title IX, not only must women’s sports receive participation opportunities proportionate to their representation in the student body, they must receive equal treatment in other program areas, like facilities, practice times, and travel.
The lawsuit alleges that the Oregon-focused NIL collective, Division Street, and Opendorse, which hosts Oregon’s NIL marketplace, disproportionately promote and provide NIL opportunities for Oregon’s male athletes.
Making the connection between Opendorse or Division Street and the University will be crucial to the plaintiffs’ chance of success on that count.
House v. NCAA Update
The NCAA filed an interlocutory appeal to the U.S Ninth Circuit Court to dispute Judge Claudia Wilken’s grant of class action status in House v. NCAA.
The NCAA argues that the Ninth Circuit should hear its appeal because “denial of this petition would be the death knell of this litigation.”
The Ninth Circuit, however, rarely reviews class action decisions until after a final ruling from a lower court.
The NCAA further argues that Judge Wilken misunderstood and misinterpreted the requirements for class certification, given how individualized NIL compensation is.
For Athletes
Deal of the Week
Jayden Daniels, the Heisman favorite, partnered with HEYDUDE shoes.
In his announcement video on Instagram, Daniels gave out shoes to LSU coaches and administrators.
ICYMI
Student Athlete NIL announced the launch of its camps division: Keon Coleman (Florida St.), TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio), and Jalen Milroe (Alabama) will host camps. LINK
LONE STAR NIL announced the Student-Athlete Ambassadors’ program, where 10 Texas-based student-athletes will promote the collective. LINK
North Alabama partnered with Athlete’s Thread to provide merchandise commissions to student-athletes. LINK
Have you checked out OSC’s website?
Head to www.OptimumSportsConsulting.com to find important resources and features relating to all things NIL. These resources include State by State Resources for Admins, Agents and Athletes, including our initial “OSC Summaries” for over a dozen states coming soon.
More to come too, including links to helpful state information- agency laws and information about school policies, as well as seminar/congressional notes, worksheets, and much more!