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It isn't unusual for the doomsayers to dominate a discussion. Kind of like some are more likely to complain out loud about bad food or service than reflecting it in a tip. That said, the general trend is that CFB is changing, and not for the better. Especially for fans of less esteemed (rich) teams. If it is inevitable that the smaller schools will have to find a way to stay/become relevant, consider this (and by the way, I subscribe to the "there are no original thoughts remaining" so this isn't likely the first time you have seen this):
Adapt a major league baseball, farm system model.
The 50 or so elites can contract with 3 lessers to be their farm teams. Lessers might be considered A, AA, AAA. The current G5s, perhaps not all, could negotiate with the 50 to be their AAA team, hopefully with a regional bias. Current FCS teams might be AA, and whoever is left can negotiate their way into the A spots. Championships could be played at each level.
Each "farm" team would run their programs independent of their Major League team. Clearly the Major would want some influence but their would also be organic back and forth discussions about recruits, and it might even be part of the Major's recruiting strategy. "We really like you but we are stocked at RB and we would like to get you on the field in the Minors for a year, then bring you up. Here is an extra $150k to supplement what the Minor program will offer while you are there." But the Major would be given, for the contracted price, the right to "call up" any player on the farm teams. Players could go up and down in the system. Some Major signees may be sent down if they don't perform to the value of their NIL, some Minor players would move up. The Major could elect to continue to pay the Major NIL price that those sent down signed up for, to keep them in the system or not. Each minor level could offer its own NIL, and some of that funding could come from the revenue generated by its relationship with the Major.
To make it a bit more challenging, the minors could agree to run the same offense and defense as the major. It may be part of the negotiation amongst G5s as to who they may line up with. Even in-season call ups would be more natural if the player is in the same system as the Major team calling him up. Players might get called up for the bowl game when a Major player opts out of its bowl game. UTSA would likely line up with UT, as an example, and adopt similar playing styles.
Free agency would be restricted to certain times, just like the transfer portal is now. And money is going to play a big part in that. But maybe teams might offer more money for a longer commitment to stay, that either player or team could get out of for a price (say part of the NIL payment is escrowed for a period of time to be clawed back if the player opts to leave, or a separation payment is paid by the team to get rid of a kid it no longer wants).
To me, the upside for the minors is their place in the sport has more relevance, and likely more revenue (the two are related) through their relationship to the Major.
There are likely many issues to make this impossible. I'd like to hear them, and there is likely more to add on the positive side.
Flame away, friends.
GMG
This is my point. Bugs transferred to a school that is confused with a shoe. Save your game day programs from last season. You’ll never hear of Jim Buggs again.
Look, this is it for me. My wife won’t allow the image of a ball, regardless of shape, in the house after we get home from a NT FB or BB game. Not proud of that, but that’s what I’ve got. So you’re damned right I’m excited about the up coming football season. 10 ? No. I give it an 11. GO MEAN GREEN
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