Harbaugh thinks Michigan can 'double' OSU's $13 million for NIL
INDIANAPOLIS — Ohio State head coach Ryan Day made news recently when he reportedly asked his boosters for $13 million to keep his team together in the Name, Image, and likeness (NIL) era. Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh opened eyes Tuesday at Big Ten Media Day when he suggested U-M had the resources to eclipse that by a large margin.
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Harbaugh has advocated for his kids since the NIL era began. He did it again Tuesday.
“I think we can do more,” Harbaugh said. “Maybe we can even double that at Michigan. I think that’s possible. I think it’s going in a terrific direction that way. You know me. I’ve always been for NIL. I believe players should have a share in the revenues, and I think that’s something that’s really possible at Michigan. So … I think that’s where we’re headed.”
Harbaugh suggested the Big Ten even get involved by giving Big Ten players a share of their hefty revenues from games, etc.
“They use their Name, Image, and Likeness on the TV broadcast. They’re the ones signing the mega TV deals,” Harbaugh continued. “A new one’s coming in 2024. Why can’t that be an NIL deal right from the Big Ten? Because that’s who is negotiating the TV deals. That’s where the big money is, so …”
So … why not?
Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren spoke of a desire for uniform federal laws rather than state laws that create imbalance. Harbaugh said he didn’t know enough of the details to comment.
Recently, Harbaugh made the news for saying Michigan would be “transformational, not transactional” in its NIL approach. In short — it wasn’t going to be all about pay for play. He said Tuesday his players seemed more concerned about the team than their wallets, while insisting again they would get their share.
“It’s not something we super talk about. I don’t think our players care,” he said. “They just want to get as good at football as they can possibly get, and they know they’re doing really well in terms of NIL. But … that’s it.
“I think they know it’s all going to be good. Get really good at football, and that’s where their focus is. That’s the navigation — see how good we can get at football. That’s what I see from them.”
