Aaliyah Chavez reportedly looking for $1 million in NIL

[DallasDomer]

I think you are forming your opinions based on a lot of rumors where no one went on the record. It's no coincidence this one media outlet who is reporting that these "sources" mentioned the $1 million NIL pricetag did it at the same time they were reporting that LSU was out of contention for Chavez. Certainly seems logical that these "sources" were Kim Mulkey or someone on her LSU coaching staff; they're the only ones who would have leaked this as the other finalists were still recruiting Chavez. Are they trying to muddy the waters for the other finalists, or hinder and hurt Chavez's recruitment by other colleges so that the "price" goes down and gives LSU a chance to get back in the race? Someone had an agenda leaking that information, whether it's true or not.

As a college program recruiting elite players, you can't "wait" until a high school player proves themselves in college. It's way too late; someone else already got them on campus. Yes, you can hope they enter the transfer portal but by that time the price has gone up for a freshman who had an instant impact in the game (like a Juju, Hidalgo, Booker, etc.).

As for Nike, they have been signing high school hoopsters to shoe deals for decades, I believe. Same for adidas. They didn't wait until they proved themselves in college. It's all about forecasting. If you think a high school recruit has "it", then you pull out all the stops.

I didn't evaluate the source. If it was LSU I wouldn't trust it at all but the quote I saw was "However, according to On3,..." So it sounds more credible.

 

[Baller29]

I didn't evaluate the source. If it was LSU I wouldn't trust it at all but the quote I saw was "However, according to On3,..." So it sounds more credible.

And Talia said multiple programs so suspecting she got this info from multiple parties.

 

[southie]

I didn't evaluate the source. If it was LSU I wouldn't trust it at all but the quote I saw was "However, according to On3,..." So it sounds more credible.

Not sure which quote you saw; perhaps you can link it.

The blurb from On3 reporter Talia Goodman read as pasted below and simply states "according to sources":

“Back in July, LSU and Texas emerged as front runners to ultimately land Aaliyah Chavez. However, LSU has taken itself out of the running as, according to sources, her camp has asked programs for an excess of $1 million dollars in NIL support.

Sure seems like LSU is the source.

 

[Charliebball]

I thought players "earned" most of their NIL money after they showed great talent on the court for a major program........if you're an exceptional player with flair the big NIL money will surely find you.........what if a player turns out to be less of a talent than first thought? .......does that one million dollars disappear? ...........we all know how this is going to end up.......5 - 10 programs with huge booster money will get 80% of the best talent while everybody else looks to sign the remaining recruits leading two a two or three-tier system, destroying the competitive balance WBB has achieved in recent years........very sad stuff indeed.......

 

[Charliebball]

This is such a huge point I think many forget. Yes, these athletes are getting their schooling covered, etc., but it pales in comparison to what a lot of these P4 schools have made in TV deals, sports merchandising, video games, coaching salaries, etc. The NCAA could have made adjustments a long time ago. It shouldn't have taken lawsuits like the O'Bannon case and the states bringing in legislation to get to this point.

And when the NCAA relented to NIL, they failed to put in guidelines which could have helped make things manageable. We're already seeing situations were collectives are falling apart and the money is drying up. The finger pointing should be going in all directions, not just athletes and their families. They're trying to get what they can while the iron is hot and I don't blame them.

I also cringe at the amount of money allegedly being asked for, but I also try to look at it from a long term perspective. What happens if Chavez isn't able to have a professional career for some reason? That money could help set her up long term if it's handled properly. This issue is not a black and white situation.

I don't think most fans are against any college athlete earning NIL money but to ask for a million dollar guaranty up front from the highest bidder without proving yourself seems a bit over the top........ In this social media-driven world, stars will get NIL money no matter where they play but you need to prove it on the big stage to become a top earner......,.

 

[cancontent]

I thought players "earned" most of their NIL money after they showed great talent on the court for a major program........if you're an exceptional player with flair the big NIL money will surely find you.........what if a player turns out to be less of a talent than first thought? .......does that one million dollars disappear? ...........we all know how this is going to end up.......5 - 10 programs with huge booster money will get 80% of the best talent while everybody else looks to sign the remaining recruits leading two a two or three-tier system, destroying the competitive balance WBB has achieved in recent years........very sad stuff indeed.......

Not anymore. State laws are making it possible for HS athletes to profit based on recent court cases like in North Carolina. Yes it's sad, but the NCAA could have done better if they really cared.

 

[EricLA]

Can't really blame the kids for looking for a payday, but as long as Geno is the HC, that will never fly at UConn. If schools are willing to pony up the $, more power to them. But kids like that will never end up in Storrs.

 

[southie]

Can't really blame the kids for looking for a payday, but as long as Geno is the HC, that will never fly at UConn. If schools are willing to pony up the $, more power to them. But kids like that will never end up in Storrs.

Head coach Geno Auriemma publicly pushed for the Connecticut legislature to pass a NIL bill so that UConn and other schools in the state wouldn’t be at a disadvantage on the recruiting trail.

“Tell me what kid playing at this level doesn’t put in as much time as any professional athlete,” he said.

How UConn women’s basketball is handling NIL

Geno Auriemma gives his thoughts on the changes while Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd discuss how they’re approaching the new opportunity.

www.theuconnblog.com