Waylee entering the portal

[307bball]

I just wish someone could show much extra NIL money Waylee was able to take from Wyoming and its fanbase by making his statements of commitment and what not and by saving his extra year by only playing in 4 games when (by all accounts) he could have helped us in other games. In addition to his refusal to play in more than 4 games, I know he has made some recent public appearances

I’d also like to know the amount of medical time and money that went to Waylee over the last year. To me - it’s Ike all over again.

Apparently happy to take as much as they can from our small pool of money. I would have had probably no problem if he left the moment he decided he was only going to play on 4 games (or perhaps even in December) like he should have. I would have encouraged it; go get the money. Now I’m pretty disgusted honestly. To me - it’s the same as taking money for not working; that’s just not within my mindset and really isn’t the Wyoming mindset of hard work.

Can’t say I ‘respect this decision.’ I don’t expect to collect full income for only working 1/4 or 1/2 the time in my personal life.

I don't put the majority of the blame on gus Ike or Waylee. This is the result of bad incentives. The system produces the outcomes that it incentivizes for. Good systems produce good actions. The microcosm of college athletics has a lot wrong with it and the chickens are coming home to roost.

There has been a power shift towards the players and as much as everybody says "it will iron itself out"....I don't think it will. The horse is out of the barn...pandora's box is wide open. We are seeing the results of something akin to massive deregulation in a previously tightly controlled market.

 

[LanderPoke]

He said 20 times he was staying. Their word means nothing. If they don’t care about us why should we give two shits about them?

I wouldn’t care except he’s a liar. Kids needs to stfu and not lie about their intentions. He’s probably just going to be injured all the time anyway

 

[OrediggerPoke]

I don't put the majority of the blame on gus Ike or Waylee. This is the result of bad incentives. The system produces the outcomes that it incentivizes for. Good systems produce good actions. The microcosm of college athletics has a lot wrong with it and the chickens are coming home to roost.

There has been a power shift towards the players and as much as everybody says "it will iron itself out"....I don't think it will. The horse is out of the barn...pandora's box is wide open. We are seeing the results of something akin to massive deregulation in a previously tightly controlled market.

I was taught at a young age that you only get and should expect pay for hard work. I’m sorry if Mr. Waylee wasn’t taught or doesn’t agree with this principle. But as an adult - I feel very comfortable holding Mr. Waylee accountable to this value that I have (and many Wyomingites share) despite what his values may be.

I was also taught and live by your word is your bond. It appears evident where Mr. Waylee stands on this.

 

[TheRealUW]

I don't put the majority of the blame on gus Ike or Waylee. This is the result of bad incentives. The system produces the outcomes that it incentivizes for. Good systems produce good actions. The microcosm of college athletics has a lot wrong with it and the chickens are coming home to roost.

There has been a power shift towards the players and as much as everybody says "it will iron itself out"....I don't think it will. The horse is out of the barn...pandora's box is wide open. We are seeing the results of something akin to massive deregulation in a previously tightly controlled market.

Even without governmental or organizational intervention, this will work itself out over time. These individuals/companies spending millions of dollars on athletes are going to realize at some point that a lot of them don't work out and they aren't getting what they pay for.

They will start to look for ways to protect their investments, whether that be through contracts or something else.

 

[McPeachy]

I was taught at a young age that you only get and should expect pay for hard work. I’m sorry if Mr. Waylee wasn’t taught or doesn’t agree with this principle. But as an adult - I feel very comfortable holding Mr. Waylee accountable to this value that I have (and many Wyomingites share) despite what his values may be.

I was also taught and live by your word is your bond. It appears evident where Mr. Waylee stands on this.

Solid post. My father would have kicked my ass if I acted like these current NCAA "student" athletes.

 

[McPeachy]

Even without governmental or organizational intervention, this will work itself out over time. These individuals/companies spending millions of dollars on athletes are going to realize at some point that a lot of them don't work out and they aren't getting what they pay for.

They will start to look for ways to protect their investments, whether that be through contracts or something else.

Although I would like to believe that, there are schools (looking at you Texas and Ohio State, etc.) that have the booster-billionaires, that will always be willing to part with their money, to satisfy their quench for a national title. They will never stop dropping $$$$ so they can pop a rod when their team wins a championship.

 

[bladerunnr]

Although I would like to believe that, there are schools (looking at you Texas and Ohio State, etc.) that have the booster-billionaires, that will always be willing to part with their money, to satisfy their quench for a national title. They will never stop dropping $$$$ so they can pop a rod when their team wins a championship.

In the past, boosters had to hide their bribes to avoid NCAA penalties. Now that it's out in the open, we are going to see just how much they are willing to spend. Like you, I believe it's practically unlimited. It is so much, that we will see athletes stay in college because they will make more than if they went pro.

 

[TheRealUW]

Although I would like to believe that, there are schools (looking at you Texas and Ohio State, etc.) that have the booster-billionaires, that will always be willing to part with their money, to satisfy their quench for a national title. They will never stop dropping $$$$ so they can pop a rod when their team wins a championship.

You are probably right about those particular schools, but there are only a handful of schools that fall into that category - most of them in the SEC and Big 10.

There are a whole hell of a lot more teams that are spending significant amounts of money on players and still ending up mediocre at best. West Virginia's players were paid a total of $5.5 million last year. They went 6-7. Kansas State's players made $4.8 million last season and finished 8th in the Big 12 conference. There are countless other teams spending millions of dollars and ending up in the bottom half of their conference. How long do individuals keep shelling out millions of dollars a year to end up in the middle of the conference year after year? How many times are players like Malachi Nelson going to be paid millions of dollars only to find out the walk-on is better? How long will donors tolerate paying players millions of dollars only to have them leave the program the moment they have even the slightest amount of success - sometimes even in the middle of the season?

These are the dilemmas 90% of the college football programs and their donors are facing. Eventually, donors are going to decide they have to start doing things differently because, for a lot of programs, the ways things are done now are not working for them.

 

[307bball]

I was taught at a young age that you only get and should expect pay for hard work. I’m sorry if Mr. Waylee wasn’t taught or doesn’t agree with this principle. But as an adult - I feel very comfortable holding Mr. Waylee accountable to this value that I have (and many Wyomingites share) despite what his values may be.

I was also taught and live by your word is your bond. It appears evident where Mr. Waylee stands on this.

If Waylee was the only person who had done this, I think I would agree with you. We are seeing this times hundreds of athletes. Do you think Waylee is the only one who said he was staying and then ended up leaving? This has gone on in professional sports alllll the time. Are they all moral midgets?.....I guess you can make that case but I think it's a weak one in the face of what we are seeing.

This sets aside the fact that a player in the middle of a season could very well be committed to making it work where ever he or she is at... Maybe that is just wishful thinking on their part... maybe they should make much more cynical statements about how, "of course nobody owes anybody any allegiance and as soon as it's contractually legal to leave maybe they will." From what I can see...these players are in a no-win situation.

 

[307bball]

You are probably right about those particular schools, but there are only a handful of schools that fall into that category - most of them in the SEC and Big 10.

There are a whole hell of a lot more teams that are spending significant amounts of money on players and still ending up mediocre at best. West Virginia's players were paid a total of $5.5 million last year. They went 6-7. Kansas State's players made $4.8 million last season and finished 8th in the Big 12 conference. There are countless other teams spending millions of dollars and ending up in the bottom half of their conference. How long do individuals keep shelling out millions of dollars a year to end up in the middle of the conference year after year? How many times are players like Malachi Nelson going to be paid millions of dollars only to find out the walk-on is better? How long will donors tolerate paying players millions of dollars only to have them leave the program the moment they have even the slightest amount of success - sometimes even in the middle of the season?

These are the dilemmas 90% of the college football programs and their donors are facing. Eventually, donors are going to decide they have to start doing things differently because, for a lot of programs, the ways things are done now are not working for them.

You are much more optimistic than I am on this....I don't think this "settles down" in any way that puts Wyoming on better footing. These programs are now just a sort of measuring stick of economic health of the area they are at and of their fan base. This is bad for Wyoming.

 

[OrediggerPoke]

If Waylee was the only person who had done this, I think I would agree with you. We are seeing this times hundreds of athletes. Do you think Waylee is the only one who said he was staying and then ended up leaving? This has gone on in professional sports alllll the time. Are they all moral midgets?.....I guess you can make that case but I think it's a weak one in the face of what we are seeing.

This sets aside the fact that a player in the middle of a season could very well be committed to making it work where ever he or she is at... Maybe that is just wishful thinking on their part... maybe they should make much more cynical statements about how, "of course nobody owes anybody any allegiance and as soon as it's contractually legal to leave maybe they will." From what I can see...these players are in a no-win situation.

No. Not all players went to the coach’s office during the season and presumably said ‘hey coach, I demand that you play me only 4 games so I can get an extra year and then I’ll be back here next year.’ Despite the fact that he clearly would have helped the team had he been on the field for more games. Not all players continued to presumably collect NIL dollars after bailing on their teammates to only play in 4 games when they otherwise could have played in more. Not all players gave multiple media interviews saying they would be back presumably in order to continue to collect the benefits of being classified as an athlete on campus (along with presumed NIL payments) before bailing shortly before spring ball. I’m sorry but I personally believe that there are still players with certain levels of values/integrity that I (and presumably others) hold.

Sorry not buying the Waylee defense. (And I say presumably because only Waylee can tell the actual truth and answer some of these questions - - but given his past media interviews, I probably won’t find his credibility that great).

 

[doreno5]

Waylee and Harsh are just doing what many other players would do if given the same opportunity. Money is the most convincing when you do have any.

 

[307bball]

No. Not all players went to the coach’s office during the season and presumably said ‘hey coach, I demand that you play me only 4 games so I can get an extra year and then I’ll be back here next year.’ Despite the fact that he clearly would have helped the team had he been on the field for more games. Not all players continued to presumably collect NIL dollars after bailing on their teammates to only play in 4 games when they otherwise could have played in more. Not all players gave multiple media interviews saying they would be back presumably in order to continue to collect the benefits of being classified as an athlete on campus (along with presumed NIL payments) before bailing shortly before spring ball. I’m sorry but I personally believe that there are still players with certain levels of values/integrity that I (and presumably others) hold.

Sorry not buying the Waylee defense. (And I say presumably because only Waylee can tell the actual truth and answer some of these questions - - but given his past media interviews, I probably won’t find his credibility that great).

No defense of Waylee at all...I have very little information on the actual conversations that went down. It's entirely plausible that he's a Machiavellian moral monster.....but it's just as likely that he never intended to make a move after the season as he made those statements. After all...these are all dudes between about 19 and 24....not known for being the most articulate or for making the best decisions. They need a system that incentivizes them make good decisions ... not the one we have now.

Also, I'm not defending any particular player...I'm pointing out that the moral opprobrium is misplaced when it ends up resting on the players.

 

[Itsux2beaewe]

It's quaint to to think that having continuity at the coaching position is going to do anything to keep players from transferring. You can probably make the case that Sawvell being hired kept some guys around in the first year...but the bloodbath of transfers is coming no matter what.

seems so.

 

[ragtimejoe1]

Reality is that this all started with adults (universities and media) exploiting young athletes in revenue sports generating billions and enriching themselves. Dirty as hell, imo.

I view at as a perfect example of hate the game not the player. The player didn't build this game.

I wish them well.

 

[ZapPoke]

I have lots of questions. When a guy announces that he’s entering the portal does he get to finish the semester with all attendant benefits of being on scholarship? I think they should be cut loose and on their own. No more access to training facilities, training table, tutors, etc.

Of all those who have entered the portal from UW (except Ike) how many actually achieved greater fame and fortune? Has it actually been worth it for many?

 

[OrediggerPoke]

I have lots of questions. When a guy announces that he’s entering the portal does he get to finish the semester with all attendant benefits of being on scholarship? I think they should be cut loose and on their own. No more access to training facilities, training table, tutors, etc.

Of all those who have entered the portal from UW (except Ike) how many actually achieved greater fame and fortune? Has it actually been worth it for many?

He gets to finish the semester with his education fully paid but loses access to the athletic facilities/trainers/top notch food/etc… I doubt his timing of waiting until the end of the semester just before he would have been obligated to participate in spring ball was coincidental.

 

[TheRealUW]

He gets to finish the semester with his education fully paid but loses access to the athletic facilities/trainers/top notch food/etc… I doubt his timing of waiting until the end of the semester just before he would have been obligated to participate in spring ball was coincidental.

Do you know that for sure?

I would not be surprised if I learned that Sawvel allowed transferring players to still utilize athletic facilities.

He’s a players coach!

 

[OrediggerPoke]

Do you know that for sure?

I would not be surprised if I learned that Sawvel allowed transferring players to still utilize athletic facilities.

He’s a players coach!

Good point. I’m just going off typical past practice. Sawvel might be rolling out the red carpet. But I do believe there are some potential liability issues whereby the University probably wouldn’t want athletes no longer with the program training in the facilities.

 

[Bosler]

Reality is that this all started with adults (universities and media) exploiting young athletes in revenue sports generating billions and enriching themselves. Dirty as hell, imo.

Bingo. (And some "non-revenue" sports, as it turns out.) It's absolutely shocking how much money was kept away from these young people for all these decades.