Georgia head football coach Kirby Smart had question marks about whether or not NIL is good for athletes long-term, making the point that there will be fundamental changes to college sports.
“You know, like I don’t know if the kids win in this model that we currently have if they win long term. Like long term, when we have to cut sports and cut other things, are the kids going to be the winners of this? I don’t know. College sports has been around a long time and given many an opportunity. And by all means, I want these kids to make money. But what’s going on right now is not good for anybody,” Smart said, per DawgsHQ.
Smart sounded unsatisfied with the Supreme Court ruling on NIL.
“I mean, it could be one of the most legendary moments in all of college sports with what’s coming up on this ruling and how people are going to try to manipulate a cap when all we’re trying to do is make for competitive balance. And it’s really unfortunate that I don’t know if competitive balance is going to come out of it.”
Smart is notoriously thrifty on the recruiting trail, having done a lot of damage by selling players on an NFL dream at the expense of their wallets.
“Georgia got some guys for a steal. Kirby really leaned into some old-school stuff in getting guys to come at a discount,” On3’s Pete Nakos said.
Perhaps Smart has a point. Getting big money as a young collegiate athlete and losing focus before ever potentially getting to go pro.
There’s just some cognitive dissonance because he’s the messenger.