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Iriafen hits the portal - Printable Version

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RE: Iriafen hits the portal - BostonCard - 04-24-2024

(04-16-2024, 03:35 PM)BostonCard Wrote:  Kaitlin Clark's WNBA salary is only going to be $76,000.

https://www.wsj.com/sports/basketball/caitlin-clark-salary-wnba-indiana-fever-9881ecdd

If that is accurate, Iriafen has every reason to go to graduate school and take advantage of NIL.  Even though she would continue to be able to make money off of endorsement deals if she goes to the WNBA, those would actually be endorsement deals, and will not be underwritten by wealthy donors, and the actual WNBA salary would be a rounding error.  So, Iriafen might make nearly as much (maybe even more) as a college player as in the WNBA.

BC

On the other hand, Clark is headed towards an 8-year, $28 million deal with Nike for her shoes that make her salary a rounding error (and is more than any NIL money she could have made by staying at Iowa).

https://www.wsj.com/sports/basketball/caitlin-clark-nike-deal-415ee8ec?mod=djemwhatsnews

While Brink won't bring in as much, I have to believe she will also have a multi-million dollar endorsement deal so that will be much more lucrative than NIL.  But also, I suspect that the endorsements will drop substantially after the to three or four players.

BC

RE: Iriafen hits the portal - old spanish trail - 04-24-2024

(04-24-2024, 09:46 AM)BostonCard Wrote:  
(04-16-2024, 03:35 PM)BostonCard Wrote:  Kaitlin Clark's WNBA salary is only going to be $76,000.

https://www.wsj.com/sports/basketball/caitlin-clark-salary-wnba-indiana-fever-9881ecdd

If that is accurate, Iriafen has every reason to go to graduate school and take advantage of NIL.  Even though she would continue to be able to make money off of endorsement deals if she goes to the WNBA, those would actually be endorsement deals, and will not be underwritten by wealthy donors, and the actual WNBA salary would be a rounding error.  So, Iriafen might make nearly as much (maybe even more) as a college player as in the WNBA.

BC

On the other hand, Clark is headed towards an 8-year, $28 million deal with Nike for her shoes that make her salary a rounding error (and is more than any NIL money she could have made by staying at Iowa).

https://www.wsj.com/sports/basketball/caitlin-clark-nike-deal-415ee8ec?mod=djemwhatsnews

While Brink won't bring in as much, I have to believe she will also have a multi-million dollar endorsement deal so that will be much more lucrative than NIL.  But also, I suspect that the endorsements will drop substantially after the to three or four players.

BC

Brink was on Sports Center top plays last night blocking a shot in the FIBA 3x3

RE: Iriafen hits the portal - JohnR34231 - 04-26-2024

Saw where UCLA just picked up Leger-Walker from WSU. If they get Kiki too they will have a roster rivaling Yukon and South Carolina. Glad we don't have to play them.
Speaking of Yukon, I also saw where Reagan Beers is down to them and Oklahoma, although she is supposedly leaning toward Oklahoma.

RE: Iriafen hits the portal - crackpot - 04-27-2024

Well, it's official, Kiki to U$C.

RE: Iriafen hits the portal - petersalas - 04-27-2024

Figured as much. It’s sad to see this become a reality. Oh well same as with Betts last season, I wish her well, but hope others step up and have a Kiki improvement and I’ll always be optimistic about the future. I cannot wait for next season.

(04-27-2024, 07:29 PM)crackpot Wrote:  Well, it's official, Kiki to U$C.


RE: Iriafen hits the portal - Spiny_Norman - 04-27-2024

(04-27-2024, 07:29 PM)crackpot Wrote:  Well, it's official, Kiki to U$C.

Reports are that van Oelhoffen is headed to USC too.

76lsjumb - 76lsjumb - 04-27-2024

(04-27-2024, 07:38 PM)petersalas Wrote:  Figured as much. It’s sad to see this become a reality. Oh well same as with Betts last season, I wish her well, but hope others step up and have a Kiki improvement and I’ll always be optimistic about the future. I cannot wait for next season.

(04-27-2024, 07:29 PM)crackpot Wrote:  Well, it's official, Kiki to U$C.

Maybe I’m missing something, but this sure seems like a monumental coaching staff failure/ screw-up. If you know that Iriafen is going to graduate in three years and leave, you do absolutely whatever is necessary NOT to lose Betts, otherwise you have NO experienced big to follow Brink. If you DON’T know that Iriafen is considering/planning on going into the portal and leaving after this year, you aren’t doing your job. Of course, if Iriafen misled the coaches about her intentions, well, spare me all of that “sisterhood” garbage.  On that front, it would interesting to know the going price for selling out one’s sisters.

I hope Iriafen is happy with her new situation. I also hope USC gets drubbed repeatedly next season…

RE: Iriafen hits the portal - BostonCard - 04-27-2024

[Image: tumblr_nqtjb6SDVw1rz6w0do1_500.gif]

RE: 76lsjumb - petersalas - 04-27-2024

Although I feel some of these things you wrote.. I don’t think all of this was clear from the beginning.. there’s a lot of what it’s. No one knew Tara would retire. Would Kiki have stayed if she hadn’t? Who would have known Kiki would have had such a breakout year when the season started… would she be in a place as such a coveted player, had she not had the year she had? 

These are things that we may never know and I don’t think women’s basketball is in a place where you can keep players committed to any one team. It’s as now it’s about building super teams like free agency is in place, but now it’s about chasing NIL money. Kiki went back home, so maybe there was some family personal stuff because she seemed really happy at Stanford.

Anyway, we may never know the answers to any of these things.

(04-27-2024, 08:55 PM)76lsjumb Wrote:  
(04-27-2024, 07:38 PM)petersalas Wrote:  Figured as much. It’s sad to see this become a reality. Oh well same as with Betts last season, I wish her well, but hope others step up and have a Kiki improvement and I’ll always be optimistic about the future. I cannot wait for next season.

(04-27-2024, 07:29 PM)crackpot Wrote:  Well, it's official, Kiki to U$C.

Maybe I’m missing something, but this sure seems like a monumental coaching staff failure/ screw-up. If you know that Iriafen is going to graduate in three years and leave, you do absolutely whatever is necessary NOT to lose Betts, otherwise you have NO experienced big to follow Brink. If you DON’T know that Iriafen is considering/planning on going into the portal and leaving after this year, you aren’t doing your job. Of course, if Iriafen misled the coaches about her intentions, well, spare me all of that “sisterhood” garbage.  On that front, it would interesting to know the going price for selling out one’s sisters.

I hope Iriafen is happy with her new situation. I also hope USC gets drubbed repeatedly next season…


RE: Iriafen hits the portal - TonyLima - 04-27-2024

I’m skeptical that anyone could have kept Betts at Stanford. And i hope that Kiki and Lauren enjoy their road trips to Wisconsin in February.

RE: Iriafen hits the portal - qwerty49 - 04-27-2024

Maybe, just maybe, it’s something as simple as grad school admissions. We know that can’t be taken for granted at Stanford.

RE: Iriafen hits the portal - 76lsjumb - 04-27-2024

(04-27-2024, 10:10 PM)qwerty49 Wrote:  Maybe, just maybe, it’s something as simple as grad school admissions. We know that can’t be taken for granted at Stanford.

So Stanford forced her to graduate in 3 years, but then didn't admit her into grad school?  That doesn't seem likely.  And, even if that happened, she could simply hang around for another year as a Stanford undergrad.  Unless, of course, she thinks her playing prospects -- and/or, perhaps, the coaching staff -- are better at USC next year.  Which isn't exactly a ringing endorsement of Coach Paye...or the Stanford sisterhood.

RE: Iriafen hits the portal - pefloresjr - 04-27-2024

(04-27-2024, 10:56 PM)76lsjumb Wrote:  
(04-27-2024, 10:10 PM)qwerty49 Wrote:  Maybe, just maybe, it’s something as simple as grad school admissions. We know that can’t be taken for granted at Stanford.

So Stanford forced her to graduate in 3 years, but then didn't admit her into grad school?  That doesn't seem likely.  And, even if that happened, she could simply hang around for another year as a Stanford undergrad.  Unless, of course, she thinks her playing prospects -- and/or, perhaps, the coaching staff -- are better at USC next year.  Which isn't exactly a ringing endorsement of Coach Paye...or the Stanford sisterhood.

The obvious factor that easily overwhelms all the other possibilities (like "it must be a problem with the coaching") is BIG MONEY!!!!!  3/4 of a million dollars distorts every other consideration.  SC has made it as far as the elite eight.  Not a ringing endorsement of the strength of their coaching or a weakness in Stanford's coaching.  Grad admissions might have something to do with it but, after cashing in, an athlete can go back and get that grad degree anywhere.  USC will not ask for any legitimate academic commitment during the one to two year "grad student" basketball years.  FOLLOW THE MONEY.  That is the primary reason that I am moving more and more toward a preference for Stanford University to get off this increasingly ridiculous path.  

Cheers,
Pete F.

RE: Iriafen hits the portal - 76lsjumb - 04-27-2024

(04-27-2024, 11:28 PM)pefloresjr Wrote:  
(04-27-2024, 10:56 PM)76lsjumb Wrote:  
(04-27-2024, 10:10 PM)qwerty49 Wrote:  Maybe, just maybe, it’s something as simple as grad school admissions. We know that can’t be taken for granted at Stanford.

So Stanford forced her to graduate in 3 years, but then didn't admit her into grad school?  That doesn't seem likely.  And, even if that happened, she could simply hang around for another year as a Stanford undergrad.  Unless, of course, she thinks her playing prospects -- and/or, perhaps, the coaching staff -- are better at USC next year.  Which isn't exactly a ringing endorsement of Coach Paye...or the Stanford sisterhood.

The obvious factor that easily overwhelms all the other possibilities (like "it must be a problem with the coaching") is BIG MONEY!!!!!  3/4 of a million dollars distorts every other consideration.  SC has made it as far as the elite eight.  Not a ringing endorsement of the strength of their coaching or a weakness in Stanford's coaching.  Grad admissions might have something to do with it but, after cashing in, an athlete can go back and get that grad degree anywhere.  USC will not ask for any legitimate academic commitment during the one to two year "grad student" basketball years.  FOLLOW THE MONEY.  That is the primary reason that I am moving more and more toward a preference for Stanford University to get off this increasingly ridiculous path.  

Cheers,
Pete F.

I think you’re very likely correct, which is why I have trouble with the statement in her Instagram post that her Stanford teammates are “her sisters for life,” … except for next year, apparently,  because of the $$$ that U.SC is willing to pay her to join their sisterhood.

RE: Iriafen hits the portal - JohnR34231 - 04-28-2024

IMO, Kiki leaving was due to
1.The money.
2. Tara leaving.
3. She will be closer to home at U$C
4. With or without her, Stanford will probably not contend for national honors next year. The schools she was considering will.
5. She will have her Stanford degree so there is no incentive to stay around for that.

I think you take what players say when they leave a program with a grain of salt. They are always trying to say the right things rather than how they really feel. Of course, no one ever admits it's about the money for fear of sounding greedy.

RE: Iriafen hits the portal - spike5882 - 04-28-2024

At the end of the day, if she is receiving 750k for the year at USC as is rumored, I imagine her ‘sisters’ at Stanford are likely fully supportive of her making whatever decision she decides is best for her.  There are very few people, let alone 21 year olds, that would turn that kind of money down for one year of playing basketball.  Her whole life is not and should not be about Stanford or the basketball team.  She owes herself to do what is going to put her on the best path moving forward, and I don’t think that is greedy in any way.

RE: Iriafen hits the portal - JohnR34231 - 04-28-2024

(04-28-2024, 04:31 AM)spike5882 Wrote:  At the end of the day, if she is receiving 750k for the year at USC as is rumored, I imagine her ‘sisters’ at Stanford are likely fully supportive of her making whatever decision she is best for her.  There are very few people, let alone 21 year olds, that would turn that kind of money down for one year of playing basketball.  Her whole life is not and should not be about Stanford or the basketball team.  She owes herself to do what is going to put her on the best path moving forward, and I don’t think that is greedy in any way.

I don't think it is greedy either but if I were her I wouldn't want a bunch of internet articles written about me saying "Kiki left Stanford for the money." or some equivalent verbiage. There would be if she admitted it.

RE: Iriafen hits the portal - Goose - 04-28-2024

(04-28-2024, 05:32 AM)JohnR34231 Wrote:  I don't think it is greedy either but if I were her I wouldn't want a bunch of internet articles written about me saying "Kiki left Stanford for the money." or some equivalent verbiage. There would be if she admitted it.
Why would that bother her or be a negative? Most of us take a job when we leave Stanford that pays a lot more than we made while we were in school. In this world of 750K NIL going to USC to play basketball is no different than going to the WNBA except it pays much better. If it were me, I would in no way be ashamed of doing that. Well, the going to USC part maybe :-).

IMO the sisterhood/brotherhood aspect of sports is often misunderstood. We love our biological brothers and sisters, but we also  know and endorse the fact they will lead there own lives probably well apart from our own. Doesn't remove the relationship, but the relationship always had the expectation that it would change with time. In college sports, the relationship is inherently ephemeral. Part of the team turns over each and every year. This isn't new and isn't driven by NIL, the NCAA, or any such thing. Nothing bad about that.

76lsjumb - 76lsjumb - 04-28-2024

(04-28-2024, 07:19 AM)Goose Wrote:  
(04-28-2024, 05:32 AM)JohnR34231 Wrote:  I don't think it is greedy either but if I were her I wouldn't want a bunch of internet articles written about me saying "Kiki left Stanford for the money." or some equivalent verbiage. There would be if she admitted it.
Why would that bother her or be a negative? Most of us take a job when we leave Stanford that pays a lot more than we made while we were in school. In this world of 750K NIL going to USC to play basketball is no different than going to the WNBA except it pays much better. If it were me, I would in no way be ashamed of doing that. Well, the going to USC part maybe :-).

IMO the sisterhood/brotherhood aspect of sports is often misunderstood. We love our biological brothers and sisters, but we also  know and endorse the fact they will lead there own lives probably well apart from our own. Doesn't remove the relationship, but the relationship always had the expectation that it would change with time. In college sports, the relationship is inherently ephemeral. Part of the team turns over each and every year. This isn't new and isn't driven by NIL, the NCAA, or any such thing. Nothing bad about that.

Of course, she should do what’s right for her. That’s what being on a team is all about. As the old saying goes, there’s no I in TEAM…but it’s at the very heart of NIL.

It’s true that part of the team turns over each year, but it’s not necessarily true that the most important part of the team turns over earlier than expected and under circumstances that are likely to be very damaging to the team. Everyone knew Brink would be moving on, but the team would still be in decent shape because Iriafen would be there to take her place. 
Or not…

RE: 76lsjumb - spike5882 - 04-28-2024

(04-28-2024, 07:59 AM)76lsjumb Wrote:  
(04-28-2024, 07:19 AM)Goose Wrote:  
(04-28-2024, 05:32 AM)JohnR34231 Wrote:  I don't think it is greedy either but if I were her I wouldn't want a bunch of internet articles written about me saying "Kiki left Stanford for the money." or some equivalent verbiage. There would be if she admitted it.
Why would that bother her or be a negative? Most of us take a job when we leave Stanford that pays a lot more than we made while we were in school. In this world of 750K NIL going to USC to play basketball is no different than going to the WNBA except it pays much better. If it were me, I would in no way be ashamed of doing that. Well, the going to USC part maybe :-).

IMO the sisterhood/brotherhood aspect of sports is often misunderstood. We love our biological brothers and sisters, but we also  know and endorse the fact they will lead there own lives probably well apart from our own. Doesn't remove the relationship, but the relationship always had the expectation that it would change with time. In college sports, the relationship is inherently ephemeral. Part of the team turns over each and every year. This isn't new and isn't driven by NIL, the NCAA, or any such thing. Nothing bad about that.

Of course, she should do what’s right for her. That’s what being on a team is all about. As the old saying goes, there’s no I in TEAM…but it’s at the very heart of NIL.

It’s true that part of the team turns over each year, but it’s not necessarily true that the most important part of the team turns over earlier than expected and under circumstances that are likely to be very damaging to the team. Everyone knew Brink would be moving on, but the team would still be in decent shape because Iriafen would be there to take her place. 
Or not…

I'm sure the team knew that Kiki was graduating after this year.  Or at least that is was a possibility.  And given that, I think it's commonly known that she would then have to make a decision to have her 4th year at Stanford or elsewhere, and that decision could be based on graduate school desires, money from NIL, proximity to family, etc.  But I don't think her finishing her degree early is likely a surprise to the team.  I think it may have been to us fans, as she didn't receive the press that Brink did.  In my opinion, a student that is able to finish their Stanford degree in 3 years while playing a sport is something to applaud.  She is literally the epitome of the ideal Stanford student ... somebody that excels at what they do.  She excelled in the classroom and on the court, and she is getting rewarded with the ability to profit off that success now.  Kudos to her.