College football spring games becoming extinct?
 

Interesting trend. Many coaches are paranoid (rightfully) about players being poached by other programs. Texas, USC, Nebraska & FSU are some big names bucking tradition. Especially interesting when you consider schools are scrambling to come up w/$ for NIL deals, yet are tossing away a potential money maker.

I have heard a number of programs in all sports claim that recruiting now starts with their own players. Meaning they have to re-recruit their own each season. Sounds exhausting. I don’t blame any program for scrapping the spring game. The money that one “practice” generates is offset by what you have to pay to fill the holes after your team gets poached for putting out free film.

This was discussed during the College World Series last year as the transfer window was open before the end of the tournament, which meant coaches were not only game planning for upcoming games, but also recruiting current and potential targets. One coach they interviewed mentioned he was only getting a couple of hours of sleep every night because of it.

I mean I’m not personally crying my eyes out for programs who now have to acknowledge the players who bring in all of their sports related revenue for the school. Being a college football star and tearing your ACL before you got paid a single dollar (at least above the board) for doing your thing must have been exhausting too…

I'm not either. I'm fine with the laborer getting compensated for the actual work. Although, the fact that nothing is binding with these deals has not helped the sport in my opinion.

I was for the changes & continue to be for them.

But.................

I've always believed that necessity is the mother of invention. So I really thought that the powers-that-be would have implemented rules & safeguards to bring some stability to the chaos. Because they would recognize it is in the various sports best interests. But the powers-that-be do not have any investment in the sports. They are academics w/o motivation to have the athletic programs long term health as a priority. They are only concerned about gaining an extra penny today at the expense of a dollar tomorrow.

Thus, I have lost interest in the various college sports on the national level. I keep up w/the Tar Heels & that's it.