Great take on a great young man. NIL as intended, I'm all in favor. Used to roster tamper, buy recruits and players from the portal, not so much.
Refreshing to see that it is not all about the immediate money for Ron Stone. But for the most part, the game is all about the $ which is why UCLA and USC are walking away from a combined 200 years with the Pac Conference.
Players will be determined to be employees, college football will devolve down to NFL-Lite. Why, because conferences act as separate fiefdoms doing their respective best to fracture the game so they can make more money. Instead of focusing on the best for the collective game and the welfare of "student-athletes" it's every man (conference) for himself. But teams within this structure know they can make more money elsewhere so the poaching of teams, aided and abetted by media companies, from one conference to a bigger-fish conference will continue. This is the natural course of capitalism restricted only by anti-trust laws.
Do college philosophy departments today teach anything other than Nietzsche and Machiavelli?
All the best to Ron Stone this season and in the course of his life's journey.
I have been a pro sports fan for maybe 65 years, starting with the Rams and the old PCL baseball teams (Angels and Stars) in L.A., where I grew up. I was ecstatic when the Dodgers and Lakers moved to L.A., and the Kings started playing hockey. I watched Pele play (Brazil vs. Mexico) in a packed Coliseum in the 60s. And I loved to follow USC and UCLA football and basketball. So I knew sports back before Big Money took over.
Today, a soccer player gets almost $800 million--for ONE YEAR--from a Saudi zillionaire who has people he doesn't like dismembered. I watch the NFL coddle a disgusting owner for years before forcing him to sell the team--for a five billion dollar profit. I watch pro sports stars hop from team to team, chasing the money. And now I watch college kids do the same.
Reading about Ron Stone Jr. is a much-needed breath of fresh air in a world, including sports at all levels, obsessed with money. Many thanks John. And here's wishing Ron Jr. a great season and pro career. Except Oct. 21, when he comes to play the Ducks, of course.
I remember Dodgers Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale "holding out" 50+ years ago when O'Malley wouldn't pay them what they thought they were worth (and were). He paid a bit over $100K, though demanding three times that. Drysdale, who threw FIVE COMPLETE GAME SHUTOUTS in a row, got $105K, the equivalent of about $1 million today. Bullpen arms with 4.75 eras and 1.4 whips earn that today.
My point being the players had NO leverage before "free agency." Then came Curt Flood, and the "Floodgates" were open. It was absolutely a good thing for the players, but it has gotten so far out of hand that it is a really bad thing for baseball--for all professional sports. And NIL has taken it to college.
NYG LT Thomas, after three years in the NFL, signed a contract that GUARANTEES him $67 million, even if he blows a knee in training camp and his career is over. He has ALREADY earned OVER $6 million so far, over double the lifetime earnings of the average American, so it isn't like he "needed the security." Hard to see where this all ends, with owner greed and player salaries exploding and mind-boggling TV deals...but I'm not optimistic.
What a level headed young man. We should all be proud of his values and what they represent for the college game of football. His message should deserves to be shared far and wide.
Amen. As a Dawg, I root for an 11-1 Wazzu every year, (not reciprocated by coug friends, for sure). Dickert is battling, but needs more NIL $. And WSU needs to get more creative- why aren’t they moving the Wisconsin game to Seahawks Stadium? - they could sell out a 65,000 seat stadium, albeit with badger fans. Can’t wait for college football.
Duck fan here, mature enough to want all the PNW schools do to well every year - gulp - Huskies included - except when they play Oregon. Haven't always been so enlightened, but time softens the edges it doesn't sharpen.
WSU doesn't want to move games off campus. Lots of angry donors when they did that a few years back. Personally, I think it's a good idea, namely on Labor Day weekend, but the masses disagree.
I get it, Chris. I know some of those donors. Also WSU donors/fans who are open to the Labor Day Seahawks Stadium idea every year- bring in quality opponent and get the game on national television every year in week 1 or week zero. Ask Coach Dickert if he could use an extra $1 million a year or so. Ask Ron Stone if players would like the opportunity to play in a sold out Seahawks Stadium on national television every year.
Ron Stone Jr. and Brennan Jackson both decided to play the long game. Everyone knows WSU won't win the NIL game, but somehow we sure get some awesome young men in Pullman anyway. Jake Dickert has done an outstanding job considering what he stepped into and has to deal with since then. These young men staying when he didn't even recruit them out of high school speaks volumes to me about what he is creating at WSU.
As someone else said, the NIL is a s--tshow and this thing called college football will eat itself if greed is going to continue to be the deciding factor. The rest of ya all can have the money grabbers.....I'll take as many of the Ron and Brennan types as we can get our hands on instead.
I see one proposed bill would implement a 15-person committee to oversee college athletics. I imagine the NFL would operate swimmingly with 15 commissioners.
'Nothing is more dangerous than a legislative body in session.' Mark Twain
Good question. The NCAA needs to become a real oversight organization. That includes maximum NIL payments, limited portal transfers and absolutely no portal transfers after the second recruiting period in February, and other steps that change the current players' status from those of unrestricted free agents to some limitations just like professional sports has today. A minority of players in MLB, NHL, NFL and the NBA are UFA...NCAA football players should have at least the same free agency standards that professional athletes are bound by in their CBA's. The NCAA should be given the same oversight authority, including severe sanctions for violations.
I read that the average Rep in Congress spends more than a third of their time on the phone chasing dollars. Expecting a money-obsessed group of people do have the interest, or creativity, to "fix" a badly flawed NIL that is awash in money seems a futile exercise.
My coach and mentor would always tell me that I'm better off, staying in one spot over time rather than continually switching. Until he himself decided to move and then started recruiting me to do the same.
Until the coaches show the same amount of loyalty I think it is hard to ask the players to do the same.
Also coaching salaries are very much inflated as witnessed by the extension Dan Lanning just signed. Plus I believe his PERS income will be very substantial much like Mike Belotti is receiving....unless the State has changed the or capped the amounts.
Fully concur. All of the Pac 12/10 head coaches, just this year, will make more than the average American makes in a lifetime/career. Most at taxpayer/public university expense. I think WSU right around $3m may be the lowest. John--any idea of the Buyout clause for the duck coach? That should soften the blow should he move on. Mr Lanning is a class act, great person. I begrudge him nothing.
The PERS system has gone through two major revisions over a couple decades. Belotti was under the original PERS system, Lanning isn't. His "retirement" payday will be far lower--on a percentage of earnings basis--than Coach Mike's.
RE PERS: there have been several changes to PERS over the years, including limiting PERS subject salary to $280,000 in 2019. More significantly, in 2003, PERS Reform legislation, directed PERS to create a new plan for PERS members who joined on or after January 1, 2004. So, any coach hired since 2004 would not, no matter their salary, be able to receive the windfall Belotti has.
A very insightful piece. Stone nails the negative effect of the NIL and transfer portal on college football. I get the financial allure to the players but it usurps the loyalty and integrity lessons for these kids which are more important at this age than the easy money! College football is smelling more like professional sports and I hate it.
Loyalty and integrity are good points, but isn't improving your life financially a reasonable goal? People move from business to business for that very reason and it really doesn't mean they aren't people of integrity. To me, the loyalty issue is not realistic either. Each of these kids comes in with a one year scholarship that has to be renewed. They can be run off at anytime for almost any reason.
Mario Cristobal, the guy who promised us and his players he was here for the long haul? Look, I don't begrudge Cristobal the opportunity to go home, but why shouldn't a player have the exact same rights as his coaches?
The purpose of going to college is to get an education first and foremost. Only a small percentage of football players make a career of professional football. If NIL and the transfer portal interfere with getting the best education it is not good for the majority of the kids that get scholarships to play football.
Shouldn’t that be up to each student athlete? I fail to see why you or I should tell a kid who has a chance to make a bucket of money he can’t because we are outraged he would dare disagree with our beliefs.
I also hate what is happening to college sports but loyalty and integrity is only important to your friends and family in the current USA. Most employers know nothing of those concepts anymore so they are no longer important for a career. When it comes to employment the lesson to learn is loyalty only to yourself. They are learning the correct lesson for living in this USA. Your friends on the team will understand and if true friends will continue to support you as you move on.
John, as much as I hate the conditions making this comment relevant; well played. We, as a society, have"lost our fastball", to quote Stephanie Ruhle. Charlie
Those are his values but how does that mean a young man who is offered a considerable amount of money his current school NIL cannot pay is a person lacking in integrity.
In many cases, the NIL money may literally be the one chance in their life to get meaningful money that could impact the balance of their life and that of their children.
The school can pull a scholarship annually based upon the athlete's value to the program. Why shouldn't the student athlete have the same right and flexibility?
The Pac-12 does not allow schools to pull scholarships based on value- ie performance. Break team rules or bad grades are the only way to lose scholarships.
Thank you! That was great! Such integrity! Stories like that give me hope that we can turn this mess around and my grand children will have a world they can spread their wings in.
No matter what he does, this kid will succeed with this kind of attitude! Too bad it can't be cloned and handed out to others!! NIL can be so fleeting, but integrity is something that stays with you forever.
Money, artificial intelligence, climate change............ There is a long list of variables that are going to unravel this world. As a fan, all we can do is turn on the TV for kickoff and enjoy the games we love.....as an escape from all this madness. If I have to pretend all this stuff isn't happening to enjoy myself.......I'll do just that. I'm sure you agree, John........writing about TV deals/NIL/coaches salaries/conference realignment...........it sucks. I'll be the first to celebrate an article about the GAME!
I think Dickert is doing a very good job with the material he has. Fans in Pullman will come out to watch a decent team that can win some Pac-12 games.
Refreshing story. Sounds like a young man who has a good head on his shoulders. Hope he sticks with it and not let the almighty greed trip get to him. Doesn’t sound like it will. Good luck to him.
Great take on a great young man. NIL as intended, I'm all in favor. Used to roster tamper, buy recruits and players from the portal, not so much.
Refreshing to see that it is not all about the immediate money for Ron Stone. But for the most part, the game is all about the $ which is why UCLA and USC are walking away from a combined 200 years with the Pac Conference.
Players will be determined to be employees, college football will devolve down to NFL-Lite. Why, because conferences act as separate fiefdoms doing their respective best to fracture the game so they can make more money. Instead of focusing on the best for the collective game and the welfare of "student-athletes" it's every man (conference) for himself. But teams within this structure know they can make more money elsewhere so the poaching of teams, aided and abetted by media companies, from one conference to a bigger-fish conference will continue. This is the natural course of capitalism restricted only by anti-trust laws.
Do college philosophy departments today teach anything other than Nietzsche and Machiavelli?
All the best to Ron Stone this season and in the course of his life's journey.
Nice, uplifting article to start the day.
I have been a pro sports fan for maybe 65 years, starting with the Rams and the old PCL baseball teams (Angels and Stars) in L.A., where I grew up. I was ecstatic when the Dodgers and Lakers moved to L.A., and the Kings started playing hockey. I watched Pele play (Brazil vs. Mexico) in a packed Coliseum in the 60s. And I loved to follow USC and UCLA football and basketball. So I knew sports back before Big Money took over.
Today, a soccer player gets almost $800 million--for ONE YEAR--from a Saudi zillionaire who has people he doesn't like dismembered. I watch the NFL coddle a disgusting owner for years before forcing him to sell the team--for a five billion dollar profit. I watch pro sports stars hop from team to team, chasing the money. And now I watch college kids do the same.
Reading about Ron Stone Jr. is a much-needed breath of fresh air in a world, including sports at all levels, obsessed with money. Many thanks John. And here's wishing Ron Jr. a great season and pro career. Except Oct. 21, when he comes to play the Ducks, of course.
Well played, Michael. I shared your experience, and chagrin. Charlie
I remember Dodgers Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale "holding out" 50+ years ago when O'Malley wouldn't pay them what they thought they were worth (and were). He paid a bit over $100K, though demanding three times that. Drysdale, who threw FIVE COMPLETE GAME SHUTOUTS in a row, got $105K, the equivalent of about $1 million today. Bullpen arms with 4.75 eras and 1.4 whips earn that today.
My point being the players had NO leverage before "free agency." Then came Curt Flood, and the "Floodgates" were open. It was absolutely a good thing for the players, but it has gotten so far out of hand that it is a really bad thing for baseball--for all professional sports. And NIL has taken it to college.
NYG LT Thomas, after three years in the NFL, signed a contract that GUARANTEES him $67 million, even if he blows a knee in training camp and his career is over. He has ALREADY earned OVER $6 million so far, over double the lifetime earnings of the average American, so it isn't like he "needed the security." Hard to see where this all ends, with owner greed and player salaries exploding and mind-boggling TV deals...but I'm not optimistic.
Great take! Go Dodgers!
What a level headed young man. We should all be proud of his values and what they represent for the college game of football. His message should deserves to be shared far and wide.
Amen. As a Dawg, I root for an 11-1 Wazzu every year, (not reciprocated by coug friends, for sure). Dickert is battling, but needs more NIL $. And WSU needs to get more creative- why aren’t they moving the Wisconsin game to Seahawks Stadium? - they could sell out a 65,000 seat stadium, albeit with badger fans. Can’t wait for college football.
Go DAWGS.
Duck fan here, mature enough to want all the PNW schools do to well every year - gulp - Huskies included - except when they play Oregon. Haven't always been so enlightened, but time softens the edges it doesn't sharpen.
Cougs don't want to give up homefield advantage in Pulllman for a few bucks.
IMHO, isn't the Home Field Advantage the crowd? Indeed, having 65,000 fans in crimson would be a significant advantage.
WSU doesn't want to move games off campus. Lots of angry donors when they did that a few years back. Personally, I think it's a good idea, namely on Labor Day weekend, but the masses disagree.
I get it, Chris. I know some of those donors. Also WSU donors/fans who are open to the Labor Day Seahawks Stadium idea every year- bring in quality opponent and get the game on national television every year in week 1 or week zero. Ask Coach Dickert if he could use an extra $1 million a year or so. Ask Ron Stone if players would like the opportunity to play in a sold out Seahawks Stadium on national television every year.
Ron Stone Jr. and Brennan Jackson both decided to play the long game. Everyone knows WSU won't win the NIL game, but somehow we sure get some awesome young men in Pullman anyway. Jake Dickert has done an outstanding job considering what he stepped into and has to deal with since then. These young men staying when he didn't even recruit them out of high school speaks volumes to me about what he is creating at WSU.
As someone else said, the NIL is a s--tshow and this thing called college football will eat itself if greed is going to continue to be the deciding factor. The rest of ya all can have the money grabbers.....I'll take as many of the Ron and Brennan types as we can get our hands on instead.
NIL is a s--tshow. The NCAA is feckless and I have zero faith in their ability to fix it. That leaves Congress. Good luck with that.
Ha!, yeah, Congress--if there's one organization that knows how to handle money and teach CFB something about over-spending, it's them!
I see one proposed bill would implement a 15-person committee to oversee college athletics. I imagine the NFL would operate swimmingly with 15 commissioners.
'Nothing is more dangerous than a legislative body in session.' Mark Twain
Good take.
Reagan was right - the most frightening nine words in the English language are "I'm from the government, I'm here to help you."
What’s your fix?
Good question. The NCAA needs to become a real oversight organization. That includes maximum NIL payments, limited portal transfers and absolutely no portal transfers after the second recruiting period in February, and other steps that change the current players' status from those of unrestricted free agents to some limitations just like professional sports has today. A minority of players in MLB, NHL, NFL and the NBA are UFA...NCAA football players should have at least the same free agency standards that professional athletes are bound by in their CBA's. The NCAA should be given the same oversight authority, including severe sanctions for violations.
That's a start.
I read that the average Rep in Congress spends more than a third of their time on the phone chasing dollars. Expecting a money-obsessed group of people do have the interest, or creativity, to "fix" a badly flawed NIL that is awash in money seems a futile exercise.
My coach and mentor would always tell me that I'm better off, staying in one spot over time rather than continually switching. Until he himself decided to move and then started recruiting me to do the same.
Until the coaches show the same amount of loyalty I think it is hard to ask the players to do the same.
Also coaching salaries are very much inflated as witnessed by the extension Dan Lanning just signed. Plus I believe his PERS income will be very substantial much like Mike Belotti is receiving....unless the State has changed the or capped the amounts.
Fully concur. All of the Pac 12/10 head coaches, just this year, will make more than the average American makes in a lifetime/career. Most at taxpayer/public university expense. I think WSU right around $3m may be the lowest. John--any idea of the Buyout clause for the duck coach? That should soften the blow should he move on. Mr Lanning is a class act, great person. I begrudge him nothing.
The PERS system has gone through two major revisions over a couple decades. Belotti was under the original PERS system, Lanning isn't. His "retirement" payday will be far lower--on a percentage of earnings basis--than Coach Mike's.
RE PERS: there have been several changes to PERS over the years, including limiting PERS subject salary to $280,000 in 2019. More significantly, in 2003, PERS Reform legislation, directed PERS to create a new plan for PERS members who joined on or after January 1, 2004. So, any coach hired since 2004 would not, no matter their salary, be able to receive the windfall Belotti has.
John,
A very insightful piece. Stone nails the negative effect of the NIL and transfer portal on college football. I get the financial allure to the players but it usurps the loyalty and integrity lessons for these kids which are more important at this age than the easy money! College football is smelling more like professional sports and I hate it.
Loyalty and integrity are good points, but isn't improving your life financially a reasonable goal? People move from business to business for that very reason and it really doesn't mean they aren't people of integrity. To me, the loyalty issue is not realistic either. Each of these kids comes in with a one year scholarship that has to be renewed. They can be run off at anytime for almost any reason.
Mario Cristobal, the guy who promised us and his players he was here for the long haul? Look, I don't begrudge Cristobal the opportunity to go home, but why shouldn't a player have the exact same rights as his coaches?
The purpose of going to college is to get an education first and foremost. Only a small percentage of football players make a career of professional football. If NIL and the transfer portal interfere with getting the best education it is not good for the majority of the kids that get scholarships to play football.
Shouldn’t that be up to each student athlete? I fail to see why you or I should tell a kid who has a chance to make a bucket of money he can’t because we are outraged he would dare disagree with our beliefs.
I also hate what is happening to college sports but loyalty and integrity is only important to your friends and family in the current USA. Most employers know nothing of those concepts anymore so they are no longer important for a career. When it comes to employment the lesson to learn is loyalty only to yourself. They are learning the correct lesson for living in this USA. Your friends on the team will understand and if true friends will continue to support you as you move on.
John, as much as I hate the conditions making this comment relevant; well played. We, as a society, have"lost our fastball", to quote Stephanie Ruhle. Charlie
This article is also a credit to his parents for doing a great job raising this young man.
Those are his values but how does that mean a young man who is offered a considerable amount of money his current school NIL cannot pay is a person lacking in integrity.
In many cases, the NIL money may literally be the one chance in their life to get meaningful money that could impact the balance of their life and that of their children.
The school can pull a scholarship annually based upon the athlete's value to the program. Why shouldn't the student athlete have the same right and flexibility?
The Pac-12 does not allow schools to pull scholarships based on value- ie performance. Break team rules or bad grades are the only way to lose scholarships.
I know. In theory the NCAA changed the rules some time ago, but that does not appear to be reality.
Thank you! That was great! Such integrity! Stories like that give me hope that we can turn this mess around and my grand children will have a world they can spread their wings in.
No matter what he does, this kid will succeed with this kind of attitude! Too bad it can't be cloned and handed out to others!! NIL can be so fleeting, but integrity is something that stays with you forever.
Money, artificial intelligence, climate change............ There is a long list of variables that are going to unravel this world. As a fan, all we can do is turn on the TV for kickoff and enjoy the games we love.....as an escape from all this madness. If I have to pretend all this stuff isn't happening to enjoy myself.......I'll do just that. I'm sure you agree, John........writing about TV deals/NIL/coaches salaries/conference realignment...........it sucks. I'll be the first to celebrate an article about the GAME!
I think Dickert is doing a very good job with the material he has. Fans in Pullman will come out to watch a decent team that can win some Pac-12 games.
Refreshing story. Sounds like a young man who has a good head on his shoulders. Hope he sticks with it and not let the almighty greed trip get to him. Doesn’t sound like it will. Good luck to him.
Ron Stone Jr. has crossed all of his t's and dotted his i's. He knows the grass isn't always greener on the other side.
Rarity.