NIL money

Pennsyhuskers

All-Conference
Jun 3, 2022
519
1,522
93
During the season, and after he signed his extension, Rhule stated in his presser that he had no worries going forward about NIL money and that there was going to be enough money to do whatever he needed to do. He was positive and upbeat about those issues.

Now he says the reason why we did not get a running back in this portal class was because we just did not have the money to outbid other schools for the better backs in the portal.

So what changed? Was the money not there as Rhule expected? If not, why not? Are donors voting with their wallets, unwilling to shell out big bucks for a mediocre product? Or is it that NIL bidding wars have gotten out of control? If so, is there any hope going forward that we can compete in that new financial landscape?

Whatever the reason, it is clear we are at a financial disadvantage and that will not change. It is depressing.
 

Redscarlet

All-American
Jun 17, 2001
31,815
9,702
113
Now that we no longer have 1890 supposedly they want donors to donate to Huskers Athletic Fund, and you can donate to the sport of your choice.

Not sure why this is happening or if the Peed brothers are no longer involved.
 

WHCSC

All-Conference
Feb 4, 2002
10,572
3,257
88
During the season, and after he signed his extension, Rhule stated in his presser that he had no worries going forward about NIL money and that there was going to be enough money to do whatever he needed to do. He was positive and upbeat about those issues.

Now he says the reason why we did not get a running back in this portal class was because we just did not have the money to outbid other schools for the better backs in the portal.

So what changed? Was the money not there as Rhule expected? If not, why not? Are donors voting with their wallets, unwilling to shell out big bucks for a mediocre product? Or is it that NIL bidding wars have gotten out of control? If so, is there any hope going forward that we can compete in that new financial landscape?

Whatever the reason, it is clear we are at a financial disadvantage and that will not change. It is depressing.
Where did he say that? All I’ve read is that they weren’t looking for a RB because they liked what we have.
 

V1nufanx4

Sophomore
Aug 15, 2018
762
117
37
Ok, money set aside for DT from IWCC sounds like it’s now available. Last day to enroll for spring semester is 01/20. Why not take a flyer on someone at minimal cost? A few Big Ten types are still on the board. Kudzal from Michigan had to play when both Haynes and Marshall were hurt. Anything less looks like we gave up.
 
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oldjar07

All-Conference
Oct 25, 2009
9,423
1,934
113
Ok, money set aside for DT from IWCC sounds like it’s now available. Last day to enroll for spring semester is 01/20. Why not take a flyer on someone at minimal cost? A few Big Ten types are still on the board. Kudzal from Michigan had to play when both Haynes and Marshall were hurt. Anything less looks like we gave up.
I doubt money is the real issue here, rather it's having **** for brains.
 

redwine65

All-Conference
Jun 23, 2010
10,760
2,068
113
hopefully the unlv qb provides more of a spark then a statue..with some passes and runs...which would take alot of pressure off others..if he could be a ganz, then one of the rb's be complimentary to that. then at some time the players have enough juice as a team to get the win
 

orclover11

Senior
Dec 1, 2014
964
651
93
hopefully the unlv qb provides more of a spark then a statue..with some passes and runs...which would take alot of pressure off others..if he could be a ganz, then one of the rb's be complimentary to that
Everything on his film says he will look good against the doormats, we'll score 30-40, and then when we hit actual equal teams he will get killed. He relied heavily on out of pocket action to one side which allowed him simple decision making and a run option. But he is only like 200 pounds and won't last long running 15x in the big 10 per game. There is nothing in his film that says he can diagnose a defense in a drop back setting. He can run around a bit with his head cut off and maybe make some plays...and can cut down on sacks and loss yardage from those but his arm strength is literally half of that of TJ. I think we need to hope TJ grows up over the summer.
 

redwine65

All-Conference
Jun 23, 2010
10,760
2,068
113
Everything on his film says he will look good against the doormats, we'll score 30-40, and then when we hit actual equal teams he will get killed. He relied heavily on out of pocket action to one side which allowed him simple decision making and a run option. But he is only like 200 pounds and won't last long running 15x in the big 10 per game. There is nothing in his film that says he can diagnose a defense in a drop back setting. He can run around a bit with his head cut off and maybe make some plays...and can cut down on sacks and loss yardage from those but his arm strength is literally half of that of TJ. I think we need to hope TJ grows up over the summer.
if they are bringing him in for 3 million, he's got to be a spark...at least a first gear to get us half way thru the season, hopefully by that time tj can learn to pass.
 

K Rod

Senior
Oct 1, 2025
286
450
63
Ruhle said before the portal opened that NU could now go after the BEST players in the portal. Increased NIL pool put us in great shape. You all have seen the write ups about the players we have signed. You can make your own judgements if we landed "Top Portal players" or just a bunch of guys. Was what Ruhle said BS or do you think we got top players? Of course, time will tell. Seeing Texas tech get the top QB and D line player made me wonder.
 
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RikeMiley

Junior
Sep 1, 2022
162
241
43
Troy Dannen was trying to get Playfly to alter the multimedia rights contract to pay NIL instead of the AD like other universities are doing but I haven't heard an update if it went through or not.

Edit: It did pass in December.

Nebraska Athletics will gain $10.25 million in name, image and likeness funding from its multimedia partner Playfly Sports Properties, LLC.

On Friday, the University of Nebraska Board of Regents unanimously approved the deal.

Playfly will inject $8 million of those funds mostly before June, according to materials included in the regents’ agenda.

The decision amends a previously agreed-upon media rights deal with Playfly.
 
Last edited:
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konaki

All-Conference
Oct 18, 2002
11,599
2,946
113
I'll hold off on any of my criticism until the staff is finished with bringing in transfers, Yes most of the best players who hit the portal have found new homes but there will be new names later on. After springs football you will see really good players decide they want a chance at a better payday and will leave once they get what they want per agents.

Is Matt Rhule holding back some cash or maybe he's soliciting for more from Nebraska Donor's, I don't look at this as a finished proposition for 2026. I do think Matt Rhule is a salesman and he's constantly trying to sell himself to our Major donor's and asking for further help in NIL dollars.

This is what colligate sports has turned into for most major brands, it's not about getting kids to commit for education first but rather offering money and hope for a professional career with bigger cash payouts.

Maybe it's time we just have these kids become employee's of the schools and do away with how many years they are allowed to play but rather just give them jobs. Crazy talk I know but it's crazy times right now. I just don't see an end to this madness anytime soon and there are a those schools who have the biggest donor's and they are the ones who will rule college sports.

The day's of wowing recruits with new shiny things are really not a factor any longer it's about paydays and moving up the financial ladder. jmo
 

RikeMiley

Junior
Sep 1, 2022
162
241
43
I'll hold off on any of my criticism until the staff is finished with bringing in transfers, Yes most of the best players who hit the portal have found new homes but there will be new names later on. After springs football you will see really good players decide they want a chance at a better payday and will leave once they get what they want per agents.

Is Matt Rhule holding back some cash or maybe he's soliciting for more from Nebraska Donor's, I don't look at this as a finished proposition for 2026. I do think Matt Rhule is a salesman and he's constantly trying to sell himself to our Major donor's and asking for further help in NIL dollars.

This is what colligate sports has turned into for most major brands, it's not about getting kids to commit for education first but rather offering money and hope for a professional career with bigger cash payouts.

Maybe it's time we just have these kids become employee's of the schools and do away with how many years they are allowed to play but rather just give them jobs. Crazy talk I know but it's crazy times right now. I just don't see an end to this madness anytime soon and there are a those schools who have the biggest donor's and they are the ones who will rule college sports.

The day's of wowing recruits with new shiny things are really not a factor any longer it's about paydays and moving up the financial ladder. jmo
There is no more spring portal, it was eliminated this season. If a player wants to leave now that isn't signed to a deal then he'll have to unenroll from the University and enroll at another University without being in the portal and without the other university tampering. That's what happened last year with Wisconsin and Miami and Xavier Lucas and now they're in court.
 
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Baxter48

All-Conference
Nov 2, 2015
992
1,147
83
I’m still convinced pat Stewart is the problem, from some articles I’ve read he’s cheap and running backs aren’t a top priority for him. I find it interesting since he left new england the patriots are division champs and will probably play for the AFC championship. Dannen needs to tell Rhule stewart needs to go
 
Jul 3, 2022
817
830
93
During the season, and after he signed his extension, Rhule stated in his presser that he had no worries going forward about NIL money and that there was going to be enough money to do whatever he needed to do. He was positive and upbeat about those issues.

Now he says the reason why we did not get a running back in this portal class was because we just did not have the money to outbid other schools for the better backs in the portal.

So what changed? Was the money not there as Rhule expected? If not, why not? Are donors voting with their wallets, unwilling to shell out big bucks for a mediocre product? Or is it that NIL bidding wars have gotten out of control? If so, is there any hope going forward that we can compete in that new financial landscape?

Whatever the reason, it is clear we are at a financial disadvantage and that will not change. It is depressing.
What changed? Nothing changed. Rhule gets carried away and speaks a little too optimistically. We already knew that. Meanwhile, other schools have just as much as we do. Several others have more. Most schools have less but what's stopping any school from being the high bidder? Ever been to an auction?
 
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RikeMiley

Junior
Sep 1, 2022
162
241
43
Where did he say that? All I’ve read is that they weren’t looking for a RB because they liked what we have.
Tim Verghese just posted this in his tid bits

*** Nebraska’s lack of action in the running back market caught many agents by surprise. It wasn’t that the Huskers didn’t test the market whatsoever, they certainly did, the shortlist of names to watch didn’t come out of nowhere. However, once the portal window opened, Nebraska didn’t seem willing to spend what running backs they were linked to early on were asking for. The Huskers have stated confidence in their room, particularly Mekhi Nelson, Kwinten Ives and Isaiah Mozee, so far their actions suggest that confidence is real. I am curious if the post-national championship portal window for Indiana and Miami changes Nebraska’s tune, or if they get creative and find a way to add a cost-effective body to the room, like they did two summers ago with Nelson.
 

Zeke Husker

All-Conference
Aug 23, 2025
1,237
1,286
113
I’m still convinced pat Stewart is the problem, from some articles I’ve read he’s cheap and running backs aren’t a top priority for him. I find it interesting since he left new england the patriots are division champs and will probably play for the AFC championship. Dannen needs to tell Rhule stewart needs to go
You get what you pay for. If they want to be cheap then they don’t need much for donations.
 
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Scoop123

Sophomore
Jan 9, 2026
48
114
32
Talking NIL money right after he signed an extension felt like a diversion tactic to me. What better way to take the focus off an extension you just received for being a .500 coach (Hard for Dannen to justify at the time, almost impossible now). He got millions and said “Look! Over there! (NIL)!”

Just my opinion.
 

SuperBigFan69

All-Conference
Apr 17, 2021
2,746
2,604
113
I'll hold off on any of my criticism until the staff is finished with bringing in transfers, Yes most of the best players who hit the portal have found new homes but there will be new names later on. After springs football you will see really good players decide they want a chance at a better payday and will leave once they get what they want per agents.

Is Matt Rhule holding back some cash or maybe he's soliciting for more from Nebraska Donor's, I don't look at this as a finished proposition for 2026. I do think Matt Rhule is a salesman and he's constantly trying to sell himself to our Major donor's and asking for further help in NIL dollars.

This is what colligate sports has turned into for most major brands, it's not about getting kids to commit for education first but rather offering money and hope for a professional career with bigger cash payouts.

Maybe it's time we just have these kids become employee's of the schools and do away with how many years they are allowed to play but rather just give them jobs. Crazy talk I know but it's crazy times right now. I just don't see an end to this madness anytime soon and there are a those schools who have the biggest donor's and they are the ones who will rule college sports.

The day's of wowing recruits with new shiny things are really not a factor any longer it's about paydays and moving up the financial ladder. jmo
Yeah, that spring portal will be a huge game changer...



My god.
 

B1G RED

Junior
Jun 2, 2022
294
329
63
Question…

Are portal players simply going for the highest NIL dollars
OR
are they looking for a total package (high NIL payment plus play for a program that has a legitimate chance to be in the playoffs)?

If it’s the second, then we will be missing out on a lot of people – even if we can play top dollar.
 

Baxter48

All-Conference
Nov 2, 2015
992
1,147
83
I get it. I just long for the days that we have a head coach that does not NEED to be micromanaged by an A.D.
Agree! And actually I think Harvey instead of TO micromanaged bo or he told tom what needed to be done, and my reasoning is Harvey hired a new ad without Tom’s imput
 
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