Kirby Smart Reveals Troubling State of College Football as Revenue Sharing Looms
As Georgia continues spring practice, head coach Kirby Smart gave a behind-the-scenes look into the anticipation surrounding the House v. NCAA settlement and its pending approval.
If the settlement is ultimately approved, collegiate athletics would go through a significant change. Revenue sharing for athletes would be in place and schools are expected to receive north of $20 million per year to distribute across athletics.
Additionally, a roster cap could potentially be put in place. Smart believes that number is 105 and the Bulldogs currently have 121 players on roster with four signees set to enroll this summer. The revenue sharing model would go into effect on July 1.
That concern is just another clog in the wheel as the spring transfer portal looms (April 16-25).
“So like the 105 number, the NIL number, what’s the cap number? What is this going to be?” Smart said on Tuesday. “There’s stuff going on right now, guys, in college football. I mean, there’s people reaching out to have a Zoom call and present all the players they represent that are on teams — including our teams. And they want to invite people to the Zoom so they can watch and see who’s going in the portal or shopping who’s in the portal before the portal.”
Bringing balance to the NIL space is also on Smart’s mind. The worry, though, is promising a certain value while there could be a cap on what programs can ultimately spend. And that number is unknown.
“Agents are literally trying to take advantage of that every minute they can,” Smart said. “They want to get all they can for their client. But at the end of the day it may backfire because there’s going to be a correction in the market at some point when this cap hits. If the cap is truly what the House settlement wants it to be — if there is truly a cap, if you just keep trying to front load and pay out people – then what’s going to happen when those people expect that same money the next year and it’s not there because you’re in a cap? There’s going to be a correction eventually. And I don’t think any of us know what’s going to happen.”
According to athletic director Josh Brooks in February, UGA is expected to allocate $13.5 million to football while sending 15% to men’s basketball, 5% to women’s basketball and 5% to other sports.
Smart went on to share his concern for the future of all college athletics, as non-revenue sports could be in danger of being cut along with players who don’t make the potentially reduced roster.
“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,” Smart said. “College sports have 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.”
The final hearing of the House v. NCAA settlement is slated for April 7. Georgia football will hold its annual G-Day spring game on April 12 before the spring
