[BillBradley]

Not much different than most resumes I see these days.  There are stints measured in months.

Indiana has no one coming back next year. All graduated or in the portal. 

It is just entertainment. No one says any of us have to watch or care. Players are finally getting a piece of the pie they baked and until someone turns this into real professional sports with contracts, free agency, trades, salary caps, and all the rest, this will be incredibly unbalanced. Maybe there ultimately will be a split into university-sponsored sports with employees (The Big SEC) and another group that goes back to something closer to the old model but without much money involved because that will be with the first NASCAR group. Then schools like Stanford can be 'pure' and have 500 people watching games in 50,000 seat stadiums that are used mostly for monster truck pulls and graduations.

Spot on.

---

Except...that it is mercenary, and they are rent-a-players. Is it an insult to merely provide an accurate description?

Well, I can think of a lot of things to call people that are accurate in my mind but are insulting to them, so I don't do it. I could provide a few examples, but the mods would step in. 

Using the term mercenary brings the player's character into account. As in, they will fight anyone for money, without regard for other things. At least that's my understanding of the word. Again, you don't know what's behind these players' decisions. In Sellers case, he's either going to the NBA or trying to improve his chances to play pro ball. He may or may not end up with more NIL money, you don't know.

[BillBradley]

Not much different than most resumes I see these days.  There are stints measured in months.

Indiana has no one coming back next year. All graduated or in the portal. 

It is just entertainment. No one says any of us have to watch or care. Players are finally getting a piece of the pie they baked and until someone turns this into real professional sports with contracts, free agency, trades, salary caps, and all the rest, this will be incredibly unbalanced. Maybe there ultimately will be a split into university-sponsored sports with employees (The Big SEC) and another group that goes back to something closer to the old model but without much money involved because that will be with the first NASCAR group. Then schools like Stanford can be 'pure' and have 500 people watching games in 50,000 seat stadiums that are used mostly for monster truck pulls and graduations.

Spot on.

---

Except...that it is mercenary, and they are rent-a-players. Is it an insult to merely provide an accurate description?

Well, I can think of a lot of things to call people that are accurate in my mind but are insulting to them, so I don't do it. I could provide a few examples, but the mods would step in. 

Using the term mercenary brings the player's character into account. As in, they will fight anyone for money, without regard for other things. At least that's my understanding of the word. Again, you don't know what's behind these players' decisions. In Sellers case, he's either going to the NBA or trying to improve his chances to play pro ball. He may or may not end up with more NIL money, you don't know.

[StanUSwagU]

Then schools like Stanford can be 'pure' and have 500 people watching games in 50,000 seat stadiums that are used mostly for monster truck pulls and graduations.

Hi Jacket3ree,

Hope all is well.
I think some Stanford Folks (maybe even some on this board) would yearn for what you state above.

[StanUSwagU]

Then schools like Stanford can be 'pure' and have 500 people watching games in 50,000 seat stadiums that are used mostly for monster truck pulls and graduations.

Hi Jacket3ree,

Hope all is well.
I think some Stanford Folks (maybe even some on this board) would yearn for what you state above.

[Canalejas]

I mean, a truck pull at graduation would be pretty rad.

[Canalejas]

I mean, a truck pull at graduation would be pretty rad.

[BostonCard]

Then schools like Stanford can be 'pure' and have 500 people watching games in 50,000 seat stadiums that are used mostly for monster truck pulls and graduations.

Hi Jacket3ree,

Hope all is well.
I think some Stanford Folks (maybe even some on this board) would yearn for what you state above.

Yes.  But, even playing the game we are likely looking at attendance in the low thousands.  Stanford is unlikely to filling a 50,000 person stadium, even fully embracing this race to the bottom, so, what are we even doing here?

BC

[BostonCard]

Then schools like Stanford can be 'pure' and have 500 people watching games in 50,000 seat stadiums that are used mostly for monster truck pulls and graduations.

Hi Jacket3ree,

Hope all is well.
I think some Stanford Folks (maybe even some on this board) would yearn for what you state above.

Yes.  But, even playing the game we are likely looking at attendance in the low thousands.  Stanford is unlikely to filling a 50,000 person stadium, even fully embracing this race to the bottom, so, what are we even doing here?

BC

[PalmTree]

I mean, a truck pull at graduation would be pretty rad.

It would be - how about each school's grad's compete against each other? <NO> pressure on Engineering, H&S builds an ATV version, GSB outsources - it'd be awesome!

[PalmTree]

I mean, a truck pull at graduation would be pretty rad.

It would be - how about each school's grad's compete against each other? <NO> pressure on Engineering, H&S builds an ATV version, GSB outsources - it'd be awesome!

[martyup]

Using the term mercenary brings the player's character into account. 

I don't think it is inappropriate to bring a player's character into account when the player announces to the world that he is happily staying to play for his school and then a week later enters the transfer portal.

[martyup]

Using the term mercenary brings the player's character into account. 

I don't think it is inappropriate to bring a player's character into account when the player announces to the world that he is happily staying to play for his school and then a week later enters the transfer portal.

[chrisk]

Then schools like Stanford can be 'pure' and have 500 people watching games in 50,000 seat stadiums that are used mostly for monster truck pulls and graduations.

Hi Jacket3ree,

Hope all is well.
I think some Stanford Folks (maybe even some on this board) would yearn for what you state above.

Yes.  But, even playing the game we are likely looking at attendance in the low thousands.  Stanford is unlikely to filling a 50,000 person stadium, even fully embracing this race to the bottom, so, what are we even doing here?

BC

Coldplay has 2 dates coming up soon at Stanford Stadium 5/31 and 6/1. They could be expected to raise some cash for the AD. Tickets have been on sale since October and I only see resale tickets available now. The resale tickets start at $300 but range well into 4 figures.

[chrisk]

Then schools like Stanford can be 'pure' and have 500 people watching games in 50,000 seat stadiums that are used mostly for monster truck pulls and graduations.

Hi Jacket3ree,

Hope all is well.
I think some Stanford Folks (maybe even some on this board) would yearn for what you state above.

Yes.  But, even playing the game we are likely looking at attendance in the low thousands.  Stanford is unlikely to filling a 50,000 person stadium, even fully embracing this race to the bottom, so, what are we even doing here?

BC

Coldplay has 2 dates coming up soon at Stanford Stadium 5/31 and 6/1. They could be expected to raise some cash for the AD. Tickets have been on sale since October and I only see resale tickets available now. The resale tickets start at $300 but range well into 4 figures.

[jacket3ree]

I was TIC on the stadium comment. Even with a rip-roaring championship team, it is never packed to the gills more than six times a year without other forms of entertainment. Sunk cost, right?

Totally off topic, but I'm old enough to remember the Champagne Jams and Dog Day Fest at Grant Field in the late '70s. (The lineups were insanely good.) Packed stands when they still had the horseshoe and a packed field. There is a YouTube clip of them raking up all the stuff a late '70s crowd would leave behind so the Jackets could practice the day after. Tickets were 13 bucks to see:

1979
Mother's Finest
The Cars
Whiteface
Dixie Dregs
ARS
Aerosmith

1978
Doobie Brothers
Santana
Eddie Money
Mother's Finest
ARS

1977
Cheap Trick
Heart
ARS
Foreigner
Bob Seger

The former Tech AD had big plans to reprise that for modern musical sensibilities, but Covid messed it all up. Atlanta United rented the field for part of a season. Gotta make money.

[jacket3ree]

I was TIC on the stadium comment. Even with a rip-roaring championship team, it is never packed to the gills more than six times a year without other forms of entertainment. Sunk cost, right?

Totally off topic, but I'm old enough to remember the Champagne Jams and Dog Day Fest at Grant Field in the late '70s. (The lineups were insanely good.) Packed stands when they still had the horseshoe and a packed field. There is a YouTube clip of them raking up all the stuff a late '70s crowd would leave behind so the Jackets could practice the day after. Tickets were 13 bucks to see:

1979
Mother's Finest
The Cars
Whiteface
Dixie Dregs
ARS
Aerosmith

1978
Doobie Brothers
Santana
Eddie Money
Mother's Finest
ARS

1977
Cheap Trick
Heart
ARS
Foreigner
Bob Seger

The former Tech AD had big plans to reprise that for modern musical sensibilities, but Covid messed it all up. Atlanta United rented the field for part of a season. Gotta make money.

[BillBradley]

Using the term mercenary brings the player's character into account. 

I don't think it is inappropriate to bring a player's character into account when the player announces to the world that he is happily staying to play for his school and then a week later enters the transfer portal.

Yeah, he did said that. But honest question - what are players (or coaches) supposed to say when put on the spot and asked about the future with their program if they are considering other options (which many are, but haven't made up their mind yet)? The old "I have no plans to transfer at this point?". Then people think it's posturing. He hadn't yet entered the portal or announced his draft intent and was probably still trying to figure out his path. He doesn't want to say anything that would leave a bad mark on the program. It's pretty much the only thing he can say at that point, isn't it? "I'm happy at Stanford and I'll be coming back". Then he goes and considers his options, figures it out and sets his new direction.

I think the NBA draft is a reach for him. He's likely got some serious NIL money on the table. I don't think he was unhappy at Stanford but playing in a better program for a lot more money is really a no brainer. If that is indeed the case, would be interesting to know how much NIL $ he's receiving and how much we offered him. 

Also wanted to mention...I run out of fingers when I count the number of smart, talented twenty somethings who I know who are still trying to find their way in the world, including a few from Stanford. There are no guarantees when it comes to careers and making money, even if you go to a good school. It's very hard for anyone who's not a doctor, attorney, or software engineer to save hundreds of thousands of dollars for a downpayment on a home. These athletes get to check that box. It's a no brainer and I'm sure most everyone here would advise their star athlete son/daughter to do the same. I know there's a whole separate argument about all that is wrong with the world when young people get paid that kind of money, and I do agree with a lot of it, but I don't think anyone should begrudge these players for taking advantage of their situation while they can. You can call it mercenary or disloyal or whatever, but in the end it's the only move.

---

1978
Doobie Brothers
Santana
Eddie Money
Mother's Finest
ARS

What a lineup!

[BillBradley]

Using the term mercenary brings the player's character into account. 

I don't think it is inappropriate to bring a player's character into account when the player announces to the world that he is happily staying to play for his school and then a week later enters the transfer portal.

Yeah, he did said that. But honest question - what are players (or coaches) supposed to say when put on the spot and asked about the future with their program if they are considering other options (which many are, but haven't made up their mind yet)? The old "I have no plans to transfer at this point?". Then people think it's posturing. He hadn't yet entered the portal or announced his draft intent and was probably still trying to figure out his path. He doesn't want to say anything that would leave a bad mark on the program. It's pretty much the only thing he can say at that point, isn't it? "I'm happy at Stanford and I'll be coming back". Then he goes and considers his options, figures it out and sets his new direction.

I think the NBA draft is a reach for him. He's likely got some serious NIL money on the table. I don't think he was unhappy at Stanford but playing in a better program for a lot more money is really a no brainer. If that is indeed the case, would be interesting to know how much NIL $ he's receiving and how much we offered him. 

Also wanted to mention...I run out of fingers when I count the number of smart, talented twenty somethings who I know who are still trying to find their way in the world, including a few from Stanford. There are no guarantees when it comes to careers and making money, even if you go to a good school. It's very hard for anyone who's not a doctor, attorney, or software engineer to save hundreds of thousands of dollars for a downpayment on a home. These athletes get to check that box. It's a no brainer and I'm sure most everyone here would advise their star athlete son/daughter to do the same. I know there's a whole separate argument about all that is wrong with the world when young people get paid that kind of money, and I do agree with a lot of it, but I don't think anyone should begrudge these players for taking advantage of their situation while they can. You can call it mercenary or disloyal or whatever, but in the end it's the only move.

---

1978
Doobie Brothers
Santana
Eddie Money
Mother's Finest
ARS

What a lineup!

[Goose]

It's a no brainer and I'm sure most everyone here would advise their star athlete son/daughter to do the same. I know there's a whole separate argument about all that is wrong with the world when young people get paid that kind of money, and I do agree with a lot of it, but I don't think anyone should begrudge these players for taking advantage of their situation while they can. You can call it mercenary or disloyal or whatever, but in the end it's the only move.

Agree totally. Eventually, virtually everybody leaves Stanford. The vast majority of people (these days anyway) leave with a degree of some kind. That doesn't make these people "disloyal" or "mercenary". Some people are fortunate enough to have extortionary opportunities (of various types) presented to them while at Stanford. Accepting those opportunities and leaving Stanford makes them no more "disloyal" than those that take a job after graduation. Everybody moves on. It is only a question of when.

It may be somewhat disappointing that the concept of "Stanford Forever" doesn't actually exist in real life. Many Stanford alums follow the sport because they are attached to the concept of "student athletes" and "shared experience" binding "Stanford people" together. The real "strength" of that bond has always IMO been over estimated. It is fine to believe in it while watching a football game on the field, but the reality has always been that the athletes on the field are attending a different Stanford than the alums did. It never has been a reality that it extended into "real life" decisions.
 
Before the ability to transfer at will existed once you were "at" Stanford you were stuck there. It wasn't "loyalty" that made it happen. There was no other choice. It was possible to pretend it was because we weren't confronted yearly with clear evidence that was not the case. Pay to play has exacerbated that situation considerably. The concept of "our lads" and "Stanford Community" has taken a hit from this new reality. This may result in many alums deciding the stark reality isn't attractive. Nothing can be done about that.

[Goose]

It's a no brainer and I'm sure most everyone here would advise their star athlete son/daughter to do the same. I know there's a whole separate argument about all that is wrong with the world when young people get paid that kind of money, and I do agree with a lot of it, but I don't think anyone should begrudge these players for taking advantage of their situation while they can. You can call it mercenary or disloyal or whatever, but in the end it's the only move.

Agree totally. Eventually, virtually everybody leaves Stanford. The vast majority of people (these days anyway) leave with a degree of some kind. That doesn't make these people "disloyal" or "mercenary". Some people are fortunate enough to have extortionary opportunities (of various types) presented to them while at Stanford. Accepting those opportunities and leaving Stanford makes them no more "disloyal" than those that take a job after graduation. Everybody moves on. It is only a question of when.

It may be somewhat disappointing that the concept of "Stanford Forever" doesn't actually exist in real life. Many Stanford alums follow the sport because they are attached to the concept of "student athletes" and "shared experience" binding "Stanford people" together. The real "strength" of that bond has always IMO been over estimated. It is fine to believe in it while watching a football game on the field, but the reality has always been that the athletes on the field are attending a different Stanford than the alums did. It never has been a reality that it extended into "real life" decisions.
 
Before the ability to transfer at will existed once you were "at" Stanford you were stuck there. It wasn't "loyalty" that made it happen. There was no other choice. It was possible to pretend it was because we weren't confronted yearly with clear evidence that was not the case. Pay to play has exacerbated that situation considerably. The concept of "our lads" and "Stanford Community" has taken a hit from this new reality. This may result in many alums deciding the stark reality isn't attractive. Nothing can be done about that.