Ryan Day gives unusual take on NIL controversy

The use of NIL deals in the transfer portal has become a hot topic this offseason in college football, with everyone from Nick Saban to Ryan Day weighing in on the controversial use of different tactics. As the NCAA now attempts to retroactively enforce rules which could have a longstanding impact on boosters and programs, the talk continues.

During a media session on Friday, Ryan Day provided a unique perspective on the current landscape of NIL controversy and its use in the transfer portal.

“I think there’s risk everywhere,” Day said. “There’s risk if you do nothing, you get left behind. If you go to the other end, there’s risk that you get fired for cause for crossing the line. So finding that sweet spot is where the challenge is right now. And when there aren’t clear-cut rules or rules that are being enforced, then it creates hard feelings and unrest. I think that’s where we are right now.”

For Day, the most difficult part of the NIL shift has been the lack of understanding between coaches and the NCAA on what is permissible and what is not under the new landscape. While some schools have adopted the “wild west” mentality of recruiting, others are trying to hold on.

“It’s a challenge because there are rules in place that right now are not being enforced,” said Day. “So it does create hard feelings. Again, that’s kind of where we are right now with us finding our way in that, in those battles.

“I think we all do much better when it’s black and white. And it’s grey, so I think the easiest thing to do is throw up your hands and complain. But we’re going to adapt and figure out a way to make it work for us.”

NIL talks with congress

Pac-12 commissioner George Kliavkoff and SEC commissioner Greg Sankey met with United State Senators Thursday afternoon to discuss federal NIL legislation, and one U.S. Senate aide revealed details of how the meeting went from his perspective.

“[The] main takeaway was Congress needs to enact a uniform NIL law that empowers athletes to have NIL rights, establishes safeguards to protect them in NIL market & preserve amateurism in college sports,” a U.S. Senate aide told Sports Illustrated, via Ross Dellenger on Twitter.

In Dellenger’s original report Wednesday night, he added that the two Power Five commissioners would meet with Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), among possibly others, to talk about potential NIL laws at the federal level.

NIL collectives have become a staple of the new landscape in collegiate athletics, and the sense is boosters are getting too involved with recruiting.