Bill Fennelly
- Thread starter AltoonaFish
- Start date
True - schools CAN do that, but we do NOT.
We need the $ for revenue sharing.
Audi won't transfer. She has it made at Iowa State. No other program will make her the focal point of the offense. Kara Lawson barely played her on the USA Basketball team.
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I would add to this that I don't see Audi leaving for another school, not for NIL reasons but because the best teams play fast-paced up and down the floor. I think she would be disruptive to that. Plus needs the ball more than the best teams will want.
FWIW, Jada stated she was coming back during the press conference. I understand people can change their mind.
If CBF is only her 1 more years then that is who we go get. 1 year coach, go get 1 year players. The question was who do you go get, I was giving an option.
This is still misunderstood by fans, alumna, and officials.
Yeah, I believe schools paying directly to student athletes would make them employees (more benefits) or independent contractors and is one of the legal points of future discussions to be refined.
From Bing:
NIL collectives are independent organizations that pool funds from boosters, alumni, and businesses to support college athletes in their name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities. They operate outside of universities and are essential for helping athletes earn money through various activities such as endorsements, social media promotions, and personal appearances.
- Operation: Collectives typically raise funds through donations, subscriptions, or partnerships with brands. They facilitate NIL deals and ensure compliance with NCAA regulations.
2 - Impact: Since the NCAA's 2021 rule change, NIL collectives have become a significant player in college athletics, influencing recruitment and financial opportunities for athletes.
2 - Future: As regulations evolve, the role of NIL collectives may diminish, but they remain crucial for athletes seeking to monetize their NIL rights.
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Learfield is facilitating true NIL deals for ISU athletes.
As I & several others have said multiple times on here. I’m not sure she will have quite as many suitors as one might think for a person of her fame. She just has so many limitations for a team that values pace, and suffocating defense.
Now, in saying that your thought process is sound… If she could get a big payday, it would certainly be worth exploring.
As an interesting a side, however… I’ve been doing a little research today on Midwestern mid major teams that I’ve watched this year that have underclassman that might play for Iowa, or Iowa State either one and I ran across a draft projection that suggested she might be an early first round pick in 2027 …
I’m not sure I see it, although I would love that for her, she’s an awesome young lady. But my experience with the WNBA and I have embarrassingly probably watched 100+ women’s professional basketball games over the last two years. They’re honestly isn’t a player like her in the league.
She tall but not “real” tall. She can have her shot blocked and her defensive ability, rebounding, and ability to get up and down the floor really doesn’t fit with any team I’ve watched….
They are either 6-4, 6-5, 6-6 and can play defense, block shots and rebound or they can get out to the three-point line and make jumpers like Stephanie Dolson. Not all of them get up and down the court with great pace, but they have enough other things going for them to offset that….
Audi actually has a very nice fadeaway jumper, but it doesn’t look to me like she’s really gone out of her way to cultivate it because it’s very inconsistent
So, here’s the thing…. i’ve read on this site for several months that Iowa State has a lot of talent. Now I’m not saying I agree or disagree. I believe Addy Brown would be a huge asset on any team in America. I’d love to see here playing for Iowa. (And no I don’t advocate or want her leaving ISU for Iowa, she’d just fit very well with what they do. I believe Audi in limited minutes can also be a great asset. I do believe the Williams girl has plenty of ability, I’m not sure she’s a WNBA player but she’s pretty good.
Past that I’m not really sure, but again it’s been said on here many, many times they have a lot of talent so if that is true, then NIL isn’t really their problem, is it?!
Meh…. that’s not really any different than it’s ever been. It’s just on a larger scale with more money now. Baseball, softball, all women’s sports, wrestling, most Olympic sports, etc. etc. etc. have always been a passion project.
I’ve actually read some interesting stuff lately that there are some mid major programs that have fairly significant NIL monies.
I have no clue what Iowa states situation is, hell I don’t have a clue what Iowas is. But its doable
A few thoughts. First on players.. Audi wanted to play close to family. Her picking ISU was a bit of surprise from a recruiting standpoint (same as Addy). Last year there were money offers for Audi to leave, but she stayed. She may not answer the question anymore because she has answered it over and over again. The bigger concern will be Addy leaving and a few other bit players. I don’t like all the folks saying that Audi needs to drop weight, instead I would prefer focusing on her condition. That being how abused she has gotten this year below the rim with so many no calls and the ability to get up and the court.
For coaching staff, the staff as a whole has mismanaged the season. The fact the team doesn’t know how to play press blows my mind. The fact that Reagan sat for so long. Kenzy having issues from 3 and not bringing in Harris or any of the other bench players blows my mind. How the offense has looked close to the same the last two years (throw it down low to Audi) with nothing else blows my mind. The fact that we are missing a defense and rebounding blows my mind.
No matter what we say on the boards won’t shift what JP decides or CBF chooses to do makes this a bit like being an armchair AD/coach. If they did, I would ask CBF to name one program where the nepotistic hire worked out in favor of the team/university. Also, with all of CBF passion, can he keep up with the other coaches/teams. I would ask JP if he is just gun shy after what the FB program just went through. After the drubbing he took from the decision on Gymnastics, he may be even less likely to force this decision. The last question for CBF, can he change his coaching, conditioning and game plans enough to have this great team host? Has what he has done in the last decade with the Joens sisters and this group of talent truly stood up enough to say that he coached them to the level that the talent showed, even with the injuries. If not, he has many records and accolades, perhaps it is time to hand up the whistle and maybe mentor the next head coach.
For coaching staff, the staff as a whole has mismanaged the season. The fact the team doesn’t know how to play press blows my mind. The fact that Reagan sat for so long. Kenzy having issues from 3 and not bringing in Harris or any of the other bench players blows my mind. How the offense has looked close to the same the last two years (throw it down low to Audi) with nothing else blows my mind. The fact that we are missing a defense and rebounding blows my mind.
No matter what we say on the boards won’t shift what JP decides or CBF chooses to do makes this a bit like being an armchair AD/coach. If they did, I would ask CBF to name one program where the nepotistic hire worked out in favor of the team/university. Also, with all of CBF passion, can he keep up with the other coaches/teams. I would ask JP if he is just gun shy after what the FB program just went through. After the drubbing he took from the decision on Gymnastics, he may be even less likely to force this decision. The last question for CBF, can he change his coaching, conditioning and game plans enough to have this great team host? Has what he has done in the last decade with the Joens sisters and this group of talent truly stood up enough to say that he coached them to the level that the talent showed, even with the injuries. If not, he has many records and accolades, perhaps it is time to hand up the whistle and maybe mentor the next head coach.
ISU has awesome fan support & from what I read earlier in the year excellent TV viewership numbers
Not to derail us, but your battery level is stressing me out...
For like the tenth time:
ISU, like every other school, can use its platform to connect athletes with brands, fans, and businesses, and provide a path and structure way to find NIL opportunities.
This is where I'm missing something. Can you (or someone) explain the article linked earlier that says we're not doing as much as our peer schools when it comes to non-University NIL payment?
It seems like ISU should be working hard to connect athletes with businesses who have marketing needs (like Audi and Fareway). I know Iowa is a small state with a limited economy. Is the issue that there are no takers or is it that we as an institution are just not doing this?
I would imagine many companies might be willing to pay for ads similar to what Fareway does (or US Cellular with the Iowa WBB team). Am I wrong?
The last 10 years especially. I mean, losses to top 4 seeds, especially top 2 seeds, forgivable to an extent given the lack of parity in WBB and honestly I don't know that ISU is going to invest what it'd take to change that in the near term. But in the last 10 seasons, only 2 of the season-ending losses came to a top 5 seed, with one loss to every seed from 6-12, plus a second 10 seed loss. If Bill's teams were consistently rising to the level they get knocked off by a top 4 seed in the second round or (ideally) the sweet 16, I think that'd be somewhat fine given the WBB landscape and program funding level. You hope for an upset occasionally and maybe a path to be cleared by other upsets. But it hasn't been anywhere near that.
Partially outdated information. As of July 1, 2025, there is revenue sharing, capped at $22.5 million (I think) across all sports. ISU has allocated $750K for WBB. This money comes from the schools. The roll of collectives has diminished. We Will is now a fund with the ISU Foundation. Donating to the fund will go to student athletes as part of ISU's $22.5 mil cap.
Students are still able to get name, image, and likeness deals, but anything over $600 has to be submitted to Deloit for approval. It is questionable if they have ever said no to a deal for anything besides a filing error.
In Iowa State's situation, when an athlete receives a payment from Iowa State, they agree to participate in marketing campaigns facilitated by Learfield. If and athlete wants to do their own deal they can, but they cannot use any Iowa State branding. Examples - Last fall ISU WBB player Kenzie Hare rode in a combine and did a commercial for Iowa Corn. Kenzie used her own gas, to drive there, her own time, ect and she did not receive any more compensation than what she was already getting.
I am sure we have all see Audi Crooks 55 commercials for Fareway. Notice there is nothing in the commercial that is branded Iowa State. That is a deal between Audi and Fareway, and ISU isn't involved.
Now here is my opinion. Many schools tap donors on the shoulder and ask them to sponsor an athlete rather than donate to the school. I am guessing this is what TCU did for Olivia Miles. The Iowa State AD, under leadership of Jamie Pollard, does not do this. I speculate that Jamie realizes that there is a finite number of donor dollars available and wants to get the AD funded to the point where they don't draw down reserves first. Jamie is never going to say no to donor dollars, but unless someone is able to do a "true NIL" deal with a student athlete, the money will somehow go to the AD. If designated for student athletes, it will go there, but other money will be moved to cover other AD expenses.
I would love if @brentblum or someone with his type of in-depth knowledge would correct me if I am wrong
Yep her is a description of the deal Audi has with Fareway.
"Iowa State basketball star Audi Crooks has a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) partnership with Fareway Stores, featuring her as a "trusted shopper" and "ultimate playmaker". The partnership includes promotions like "Crookies" and highlights her as a key member of the #FarewayFamily"
