In a recent interview, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis shared his thoughts on college football. He focused on Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policies and the transfer portal system.
DeSantis has long advocated for player rights. He emphasized the need for reforms to keep things fair and balanced in the sport.
He also weighed in on the College Football Playoff (CFP) selections. DeSantis pushed for the Miami Hurricanes to be included.
This post takes a closer look at DeSantis’ views and what they might mean for college football. There’s a lot to unpack, so let’s dive in.
Governor DeSantis’ Critique of NIL Policies
Governor DeSantis has been pretty outspoken about college athletes’ rights to profit from their name, image, and likeness. Back in 2020, he signed a bill letting athletes make money from their NIL.
The law was later amended, allowing schools, coaches, and athletic departments to help athletes navigate the NIL process. The idea was to keep Florida competitive with other states that had similar rules.
Support for Player Rights
DeSantis thinks if a player’s jersey is being sold with their name, they should get a cut. “If they’re selling your jersey with your name on the back, you should get money for it if they are using your name, image, and likeness,” he said.
That lines up with his larger push for player rights. He wants to make sure athletes aren’t getting taken advantage of by the schools they play for.
Concerns Over NIL and Transfer Portal
Even though he supports NIL, DeSantis has some issues with how things are working now. He called out the transfer portal, which has made it way easier for players to switch schools.
According to NBC Sports, FBS transfers jumped from 1,561 in 2018-19 to over 3,700 in the last cycle. That’s a pretty wild increase.
DeSantis said the ease of transferring lets players use their position to get better NIL deals. Sometimes, it seems like they have more power than pro athletes.
“To then say, I played three games, coach, I need more NIL money, or I’m going to transfer to another school, that’s almost like they have more rights than pro athletes do,” he remarked. He thinks reforms are needed to fix these problems and bring back some balance.
The State of the Transfer Portal
The transfer portal is a hot topic in college sports right now. A lot of folks argue it messes with team cohesion and makes it tough for fans to keep up.
More scholarship players are transferring, which just adds to the challenge of managing a team. Coaches have their work cut out for them.
Impact on Team Dynamics
With more transfers, teams struggle to keep a steady roster. Players bouncing around can mess with team chemistry.
It also makes it harder for coaches to plan for the long haul. Fans, meanwhile, might find it tough to follow favorite players as they move schools.
Calls for Reform
DeSantis says the current system just isn’t sustainable. The transfer portal, as it stands, gives players a lot of leverage.
He worries this could lead to players demanding more NIL money or threatening to leave. It’s a tricky balance, and he thinks something’s gotta give to keep college football healthy.
College Football Playoff Selections
DeSantis also shared his take on the College Football Playoff (CFP) selections. He argued Miami Hurricanes deserved a spot, pointing to their tough schedule and big wins.
Miami Hurricanes’ Case for the Playoffs
He highlighted a few key reasons Miami should make the CFP:
- Their head-to-head win against the University of Notre Dame
- Stronger performance against common opponents compared to Notre Dame
- Overall strength of schedule
Miami’s win over Notre Dame, who’d been ranked higher for months, was a big talking point. Plus, the Hurricanes beat three common opponents (NC State, Pittsburgh, Stanford) by a larger margin than the Irish.
Both teams played Syracuse. The Irish won by 63, while the Hurricanes took it by 28. Not a perfect comparison, but it adds to the debate.
Outcome of the Selections
In the end, Miami got the nod and was selected for the CFP. The 10th-seed Hurricanes will play the 7th-seed Texas A&M Aggies in College Station on December 20.
The Fighting Irish, despite a strong season, didn’t make the final cut. That’ll sting for their fans, but that’s how the rankings shook out this time.
Conclusion
Governor Ron DeSantis has been weighing in on the heated NIL and transfer portal debates in college football. He says he’s all for players making money off their name, image, and likeness.
But he’s not shy about calling for some changes to the transfer portal, either. DeSantis has also been vocal about backing the Miami Hurricanes in the CFP—maybe a little too passionate, but hey, that’s college football for you.
If you want the full scoop, you can check out the interview with Governor DeSantis on The Floridian.
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