3 different potential NIL deal scenarios for Michigan athletics

Half and half NIL deal

Now, this NIL deal wouldn’t be too bad, as it promises the recruit half of what their base pay is when they sign with Michigan, and a half when they meet certain criteria deemed as suitable by the school.

This NIL deal scenario would also really make the recruit have to earn the rest of their NIL money, pretty much like the first scenario, except more money is guaranteed to the recruit immediately.

Honestly, this strategy might actually be the best, a balance of both worlds, as it would pay the recruit enough money right away to make them want to come to Michigan, but the potential for even more money (the other half of the NIL deal) and the drive to be great and succeed might make this NIL deal worth it for a lot of recruits.

While the amount of money some of these recruits are making at places like Miami, Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia, Texas, and Texas A&M is downright insane, with this NIL strategy, Michigan would still have some semblance of structure and order in place to prevent insane deals right away.

The drawback to this for a recruit (and to Michigan’s advantage), and the drawback to the signing bonus deal is they are both capped out. Once that recruit earns all their money, that would be their total NIL payment.

There would be no potential for more money with this NIL deal like the first option, which has unlimited potential revenue, as one that recruit gets their total amount, their NIL deal is capped (although they can obviously stack up NIL deals with other third-parties left and right).

Final Thoughts

Obviously, there’s no scenario where a recruit wouldn’t be paid. So, for all those smart-alecky people out there that want an NIL scenario where no player is paid anything, unfortunately, that is next to impossible, so, sorry to burst your bubble.

Recruits deserve to be paid in this world, but there needs to be some sort of balance with how much they can make at any given time.

Boosters have too much power and try to take advantage of these young kids, feeding them with BS, poisoning their minds with dream scenarios and promises of exorbitant amounts of money, without teaching these kids ways to save and ways to be smart with money.

That is why so many of these kids want so much money at once. They see dollar signs and automatically flock to them (because a lot of these recruits come from poor situations). Boosters do that to them. Recruits should be able to make a ton, but, it can be balanced with a lot of money now, and the potential for even more later.

Personally, I think the half and half scenario is the best option, as it allows Michigan to do a LOT better on the recruiting trail with promises of good/fair money up front, but the rest has to be earned, as hard work pays off more in the long run than just talent alone, and it is capped, so no $14 million per player insane deals.

Michigan fans, what do you think of these NIL scenarios? Which option would you choose? What other creative scenarios do you have? Sound off in the comments below!