If you had to guess, what is our current annual NIL budget ATM?

[37620VOL]

In addition to the poll, assuming our NIL budget is $3m annually...

How much would you spend on a top 10 high school recruit for the first year?
How much would you spend on a consensus top 3 high school recruit for the first year?
For transfers, how much would you spend on a consensus top 3 transfer annually?
How much would you spend on an expected quality starter transfer annually?
How much would you spend on an expected backup level transfer annually?
How much would you give everyone on the roster as a base amount annually?

 

[krichunaka]

I think many of us are interested - inquiring minds and all - but due to the unknowns, what we might opine is stipulated to conjecture. At any rate, I'll offer this 2026 personal favorite as a response to your first, second, and last questions, which might prompt some of our more astute members (including you, of course) to ante up (no pun intended).
Jacy Abii (I think it's pronounced "Ah bee") - She has great court vision and plays an ambidextrous game. She can jump out of the gym, having actually dunked (in practice) as a freshman. She has such a smooth shot, and she's very strong. In fact, her's is the most-effortless long-range stroke I've seen: she just flicks her wrist and off it goes from 25-ft and beyond. She's a three level scorer, with left-hand, right-hand accuracy in the paint. Defensively, she has quick hands and perfect timing for blocking shots. Of course, when discussing high school juniors we're talking "potential," but she is gifted with skills, strength, smarts, and athleticism comparable to anyone we've signed ...in decades.
So, how do you put a price on all that? Is there a limit to how high you can go without disrupting team morale? Or is that even a factor? The odds, in this particular case, are about 15-to-1 against, and with her list of suitors she is about to make a lot of money. With the talent being assembled in Knoxville, these offers have to be "balanced." It's delicate.
____________________________________________
In considering the 3-million as the all-inclusive recruiting budget let's allow a-million (this might be low) for "costs." If we throw $50,000.00 at each and every player, with a maximum roster of fifteen, we're at 1-3/4 million spent, so, with everyone having received that "minimum," are we still in the Big Fish game? Because she (whomever) is not the only player you "pay."
If and until these numbers are made public (not holding my breath), however, I really wouldn't know where to go from here, but I think this is a fascinating subject.
Cheers.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

The 2025 High School recruiting class answers all of these NIL related questions.
Tennessee has three Top 15 commits according to 247Sports and two Top 15 commits according to Hoopgurlz.
Deniya Prawl #6 and Jaida Civil #11 on 247Sports.
Mia Pauldo #11 and Deniya Prawl #14 on ESPN.
#1 ranked class according to 247Sports.
#2 ranked class according to Hoopgurlz.
Five ESPN Top 60 commits including Lauren Hurst #42 and Mya Pauldo #56.
A big fish is an All-American.
Tennessee is projected to have two with a strong possibility for three McDonald All-Americans.

 

[madtownvol]

In addition to the poll, assuming our NIL budget is $3m annually...

How much would you spend on a top 10 high school recruit for the first year?
How much would you spend on a consensus top 3 high school recruit for the first year?
For transfers, how much would you spend on a consensus top 3 transfer annually?
How much would you spend on an expected quality starter transfer annually?
How much would you spend on an expected backup level transfer annually?
How much would you give everyone on the roster as a base amount annually?

A bit off topic, but the coach of the U of Miami men's team just resigned and he told the story of what pushed him over the edge. He was recruiting a "student-athlete" but could only talk to his agent. The agent informed the coach that there was some interest but that 1.1 million guaranteed was the minimum needed to be in the players consideration set.

That is of course men's ball where $ is ramped up more than the women's game but these bidding wars for top recruits go on every year (and even for players you have signed since they are free to move on to the next level).

It is hard to see how the current version of NIL can be sustainable when you factor the NIL $ needed to support football, men's basketball, and women's basketball with non-revenue sports like soccer, volleyball, and hockey also making demands.

 

[chuckiepoo]

Can I just go with a vote for “adequate” based on the portal haul and the 2025 HS class?

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

There’s always another option from both sides now due to the NIL.
I certainly think it’s sustainable.
The LVs have been successful on a yearly basis with recruiting via the transfer portal.
Although, with more success from HS recruiting may come more players entering the portal and/or less usage in signing transfers.
It’s about being strategic.
I can assure anyone that none of the 2025 signees 2025 from the LVs #1/#2 High School recruiting class came here without receiving a quality NIL deal.
Quality doesn’t mean reckless spending.
I think that’s where social media has pushed a lot of propaganda to these college fanbases.
The example I’ll end with is this one, the Pauldo twins at Tennessee over the next years will likely be the highest NIL earners in WBB.
They already have a brand. One of the twins is projected to be a McDonald AA. Both could lead their school to a three peat.
Tennessee is a historic program.
Combined you will NIL deals that are off the charts.

A bit off topic, but the coach of the U of Miami men's team just resigned and he told the story of what pushed him over the edge. He was recruiting a "student-athlete" but could only talk to his agent. The agent informed the coach that there was some interest but that 1.1 million guaranteed was the minimum needed to be in the players consideration set.

That is of course men's ball where $ is ramped up more than the women's game but these bidding wars for top recruits go on every year (and even for players you have signed since they are free to move on to the next level).

It is hard to see how the current version of NIL can be sustainable when you factor the NIL $ needed to support football, men's basketball, and women's basketball with non-revenue sports like soccer, volleyball, and hockey also making demands.

 

[madtownvol]

There’s always another option from both sides now due to the NIL.
I certainly think it’s sustainable.
The LVs have been successful on a yearly basis with recruiting via the transfer portal.
Although, with more success from HS recruiting may come more players entering the portal and/or less usage in signing transfers.
It’s about being strategic.
I can assure anyone that none of the 2025 signees 2025 from the LVs #1/#2 High School recruiting class came here without receiving a quality NIL deal.
Quality doesn’t mean reckless spending.
I think that’s where social media has pushed a lot of propaganda to these college fanbases.
The example I’ll end with is this one, the Pauldo twins at Tennessee over the next years will likely be the highest NIL earners in WBB.
They already have a brand. One of the twins is projected to be a McDonald AA. Both could lead their school to a three peat.
Tennessee is a historic program.
Combined you will NIL deals that are off the charts.

I was talking about the entire NIL system, not just the LVs.

I am trying to understand your logic-- since the LVs had success in 2025, their NIL/recruiting funding is sustainable forever?

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

I was talking about the entire NIL system, not just the LVs.

I am trying to understand your logic-- since the LVs had success in 2025, their NIL/recruiting funding is sustainable forever?

This isn’t a back and forth.
Tennessee is one of the most attractive destination in sports overall and WBB.
One thing that most people overlook is that NIL and recruitment funding is not a stand-alone instrument.
You need a coach and system to attract players no matter what kind of money you are willing to spend.
If anyone who is skeptical of the sustainability would take a moment to listen to UT AD White, it’s not hard to gauge the state of the athletics program with the abundance of resources from top notch facilities to NIL funding.
NIL opportunities should not be confused with reckless spending under any circumstances.

 

[Volfan2012]

The entire NIL is way over five million. Women's basketball no more than three million would be my guess. Cause I think I remember White saying he was trying to get a couple million for women's basketball and did when we went to a different coach.

 

[madtownvol]

This isn’t a back and forth.
Tennessee is one of the most attractive destinations in WBB.
One thing that most people overlook is that NIL and recruiting funding is not a stand-alone instrument.
You need a coach and system to attract players no matter what kind of money you are willing to spend.
If anyone who is skeptical of the sustainability would to a moment to listen to UT AD White, it’s not hard to gauge the state of the athletics program with the abundance of resources from top notch facilities to NIL funding.
NIL opportunities should not be confused with reckless spending under any circumstances.

I mean every post with you is Tennessee is the greatest program now and ever. We have the best players, the best coach and no one can possible compete with us, under any circumstances. Every top player wants to be a LV, etc., etc. , etc.
Reality tells a somewhat different story. We are a program seeking to regain a former glory. 11 games into the season, things are going as well as can be but there are steps to be taken.

Just about all the schools in big # conferences have great facilities. College athletics is an incredibly competitive business but I agree having a great coach is a big differentiator.

But this is not a back and forth because you are talking about a different topic

I don't think you are getting the question -- is the current system of NIL sustainable? That is, will this current model be in place for the long haul?

The current status of NIL is still very much in flux. We are in a "wild, wild west" stage. As some observers have commented, the current system is unregulated free agency.

At some point, universities may have to bite the bullet and classify athletes as employees who are under contract so as to create some stability. Players who have their own personal deals would be just like a pro player who has signed a five year contract and has a separate endorsement deal with Nike. That player would still have contractual obligations to the employer school.

Others foresee that college football may become a minor league to the NFL (and that would have ripple effects through all of colleges sports).

But, you can rest assured college sports in five years will look quite different than it does now-- just as it is now radically different from the pre-covid era.

 

[Volfan2012]

I mean every post with you is Tennessee is the greatest program now and ever. We have the best players, the best coach and no one can possible compete with us, under any circumstances. Every top player wants to be a LV, etc., etc. , etc.
Reality tells a somewhat different story. We are a program seeking to regain a former glory. 11 games into the season, things are going as well as can be but there are steps to be taken.

Just about all the schools in big # conferences have great facilities. College athletics is an incredibly competitive business but I agree having a great coach is a big differentiator.

But this is not a back and forth because you are talking about a different topic

I don't think you are getting the question -- is the current system of NIL sustainable? That is, will this current model be in place for the long haul?

The current status of NIL is still very much in flux. We are in a wild, wild west stages. As some observers have commented, the current system is unregulated free agency.

At some point, universities will have to bite the bullet and classify athletes as employees who are under contract so as to create some stability. Players who have their own personal deals that would be just like a pro player who has signed a five year contract and has a separate endorsement deal with NIke. That player still has contractual obligations to the employer school.

Others foresee that college football may become a minor league to the NFL (and that would have ripple effects through all of colleges sports).

But, you can rest assured college sports in five years will look quite different than it does now-- just as it is now radically different from the pre-covid era.

True we may be a top ten team this season and we may not. Were close could use a couple more superstars to complete the deal of playing with anyone. I will say we have a shot to beat anyone we play at home this season. The road we may lose a game a two we should've won. If all the players eligible to comeback next season return along with the freshman class and KIm can grab the right two out of the portal then that team will be able to go for it all next season. The right two would be an exceptional big and a super defender and three point shooter. I wish we could've gotten King for this team. She would've pushed us closer to everyone in the league.

 

[Voltopia]

Two things I think about this poll - and they're the same things I always think -

#1 - The people who could speak with any real confidence about what UT's NIL really looks like are not going to go talk about it on a message board.

#2 - The people who do talk on a message board about what UT's NIL spending really looks like are full of crappy hot air.

Now I know, this poll says "guess," but in all honesty I don't even know how to guess. It's all off the books, there's no standardized public records, and while we hear about this deal or that deal, we don't have any idea what's really going on. How can we form any numbers based on that?

I doubt any women's NIL outfit is spending more than 2 million annually, maybe a handful sniffing a million but even then I doubt it. And if any of these NIL groups are in that heady multiple million range, I'd be real curious as to what their success metrics are. Most of these programs don't even break even, so outside of pure ego - which could very well drive it for a while - I don't know how they'd convince themselves to spend seven figures when there's wide receivers that need buying.

 

[KnoxLikeUs]

NIL in itself is a big misconception.
Across college athletics a major part of it is inaccurate or rumored based on outside sources via social media platforms.
I think one of the known truths in male and female sports is that the best players aren’t always the highest NIL earning individuals.

 

[37620VOL]

Answering my own questions above, under the Warlick-Harper systems I would have said spend whatever is necessary to get 2 top 10 players every year. Fill holes around those stars with cheap supporting players. Play 7-8 best players 95% of the minutes.

Now under CKC, I have very different answers because we need 12 very good players continuously.
How much would you spend on a top 10 high school recruit for the first year? I would not overspend here. $200k/year would be the max.
How much would you spend on a consensus top 3 high school recruit for the first year? $250k/year would be the max and I'm thinking a Parker, Clark, Bueckers, JuJu, or Hildalgo type player.
For transfers, how much would you spend on a consensus top 3 transfer annually? I would not overspend here. $200k/year would be the max.
How much would you spend on an expected quality starter transfer annually? Honestly, I want 15 of these on the roster every year. Requirements 33% proven 3 point shooting, 70% ft shooter, able to dribble drive, above average quickness and defense. This is where I would do the spending $100k-150k annually.
How much would you spend on an expected backup level transfer annually? I'd give them $2k/mo on top of their other traditional athlete benefits.
How much would you give everyone on the roster as a base amount annually? I'd give them $2k/mo on top of their other traditional athlete benefits.

This assumes we have $3m annually NIL to make use of.

 

[stllvf]

one measure re women's sport: which coaches are making $ 2 or more millionl , I would speculate (also with hot-air in my lungs) that those universities have more than several million dedicated for players, above the table.

commenting on three other issues briefly identified in this thread. 1. some expect college football to become a lower-lever but quasi-NFL. question: is that where women's basketball is headed?

2. is social media exposure as important to women players as actually the game?

3. are the purse strings of NIL held by the very rich TN sports enthusiasts - who had the power to hold increasing NIL, only if a new coach?

Personally, and not critically of any younger boarders, but I am pleased that I became a fan before the women were allowed to enter the NCAA. The early years of being a few fans in Stokely, then sitting directly behind the bench in the "new arena" and easily attending after being accepted as an NCAA sport five Final Fours - I was fortunate to follow the amateur sport.

 

[1reVOLver]

#1 - The people who could speak with any real confidence about what UT's NIL really looks like are not going to go talk about it on a message board.

#2 - The people who do talk on a message board about what UT's NIL spending really looks like are full of crappy hot air.

Above are two logical, reasonable suppositions.