What would you rather have?

[Bulldawg77]

How much do we actually have in NIL? Several people mention we're fine while providing no specific amounts and no comparisons to the NIL budgets at other SEC schools. Where are the specific figures and how we compare to other SEC schools? To me it's like saying we had a good year, as good as other SEC schools, without specifically mentioning wins and losses.

I voted for baseball because I like baseball. I have this weird notion that I should spend my money on things I like the most and find the most entertaining. I do that with movies and restaurants and vacation destinations too. Admittedly, I don't watch State specifically to help the athletics department. I do so to be entertained, get value for my money and because I'm emotionally invested in State as a graduate. Neither my wife nor my kids are State graduates, btw. Don't think I can tell the missus when med school tuition is an issue for daughters that we need to throw some cash at the State athletics program to make it better.

Alabama won because of Saban and not because of the average fan. I can say "we can" all I want and it won't matter if coaching and recruiting are sub-par. I don't think we actually ever invested more in baseball than football. Any data to show this other than the foolishness of overspending on a stadium?

Blaming fans for losses doesn't make sense to me. I guess the Saints would have gone to the playoffs but for the fans and their selfishness and those misguided Nola peeps who don't support their hometown NFL team and do things like shopping on Sundays or enjoying a festival with their families.

First I’m not Charlie but I’m going on what I know and what I have heard so. After we fired ZA we were around 4MM, we then raised close to an additional 5MM with the winning drive campaign once Lebby was hired. My understanding is we have had others step up since. Again not Charlie but these numbers are close. By contrast LSU and until recently Bama have struggled with NIL. LSU reported at around 4MM, at one time this spring hell Zavion had a better deal here than he got at LSU.

So again the thought that we can’t compete in this conference, in this portal, and NIL era is purely fictional because well, some on here just don’t believe we can. They are stuck in this mindset of it’s 1989 and we are poor and LT says we can’t … Fans need to support what we are doing and stop being so damn negative. We are not Oregon state or Washington State here.

 

[Perd Hapley]

First I’m not Charlie but I’m going on what I know and what I have heard so. After we fired ZA we were around 4MM, we then raised close to an additional 5MM with the winning drive campaign once Lebby was hired.

So we have $9 million? Cool. That is enough to be competitive…..this year. Problem is, gotta come up with that EVERY year. And we also can’t rob Peter to pay Paul to do it….gotta also still have money for coaching buyouts and facilities and what not. The reality is that number is probay expected to float us for 2-3 years, for all sports, and be 50% replenished every year.

My understanding is we have had others step up since. Again not Charlie but these numbers are close. By contrast LSU and until recently Bama have struggled with NIL. LSU reported at around 4MM, at one time this spring hell Zavion had a better deal here than he got at LSU.

If Zavion had a better deal than he got at LSU, he’d still be here.

So again the thought that we can’t compete in this conference, in this portal, and NIL era is purely fictional because well, some on here just don’t believe we can.

We actually can compete in 2 of those 3 things - the portal and the NIL era. I fully believe that our NIL contributions are probably Top 30-35 nationally. And that’d be 17ing fantastic for us if we were in the ACC, the Big 12, or the Big 10.

But the biggest trouble is the 3rd thing….that at least 12-13 teams in our 16-team conference are ahead of us, with at least 9 or 10 being significantly ahead of us. That 3rd thing, the conference, is whats most important. And its unfortunately where we are the farthest behind.

They are stuck in this mindset of it’s 1989 and we are poor and LT says we can’t … Fans need to support what we are doing and stop being so damn negative. We are not Oregon state or Washington State here.

We are very much what Oregon State and Washington State were….when compared to Washington, Oregon, and USC. Gap is every bit as big. And its 10x worse for us, because the SEC has like 10 Oregon’s / Washington’s / USC’s.

 

[Maroon13]

If Zavion had a better deal than he got at LSU, he’d still be here.

Regardless if Zavion had a better money deal here or there, he is the poster child for how tough it is for MSU to compete.

If we are good with nil money and he still left, that says so much about who kids think can (now) compete for National Championships. I know he is from LA but we have MS kids every year leave for Bama and many other places.

With that said, I have no idea who has the most money or how much .... but when you see most of our Portal guys are from G5s .... that's a clue.

 

[DWarren]

These NIL numbers are extremely fluid. This bs about we have this much and they have that much is uneducated as hell. The best way to measure this is by looking at what your portal and HS classes look like over a 2-3 year period. And contrary to popular belief, anonymous coaches comments (even if they are staffers etc) are good sources of information. They have to be vague but they will let you know where programs stack up within the league.

 

[Bulldawg77]

So we have $9 million? Cool. That is enough to be competitive…..this year. Problem is, gotta come up with that EVERY year. And we also can’t rob Peter to pay Paul to do it….gotta also still have money for coaching buyouts and facilities and what not. The reality is that number is probay expected to float us for 2-3 years, for all sports, and be 50% replenished every year.



If Zavion had a better deal than he got at LSU, he’d still be here.


We actually can compete in 2 of those 3 things - the portal and the NIL era. I fully believe that our NIL contributions are probably Top 30-35 nationally. And that’d be 17ing fantastic for us if we were in the ACC, the Big 12, or the Big 10.

But the biggest trouble is the 3rd thing….that at least 12-13 teams in our 16-team conference are ahead of us, with at least 9 or 10 being significantly ahead of us. That 3rd thing, the conference, is whats most important. And its unfortunately where we are the farthest behind.



We are very much what Oregon State and Washington State were….when compared to Washington, Oregon, and USC. Gap is every bit as big. And it’s 10x worse for us, because the SEC has like 10 Oregon’s / Washington’s / USC’s.

Wrong again. Shocker. Yes Zavion took less NIL to go to LSU… but it’s also a fact that he wanted to go there. Now on to WSU and OSU… our AD budget is 122-125MM. Oregon state and Washington state budget is around 85-90MM each. We are 35-40MM over what they are. Again you think we are poor…

We have enough in NIL and once Rev sharing hits we will be in a better position… so what you are insinuating on again false… shocker

 

[Bulldawg77]

These NIL numbers are extremely fluid. This bs about we have this much and they have that much is uneducated as hell. The best way to measure this is by looking at what your portal and HS classes look like over a 2-3 year period. And contrary to popular belief, anonymous coaches comments (even if they are staffers etc) are good sources of information. They have to be vague but they will let you know where programs stack up within the league.

That quote on Athalons was from an OM GA. But please tell me more…

 

[Maroon Eagle]

Wrong again. Shocker. Yes Zavion took less NIL to go to LSU… but it’s also a fact that he wanted to go there. Now on to WSU and OSU… our AD budget is 122-125MM. Oregon state and Washington state budget is around 85-90MM each. We are 35-40MM over what they are. Again you think we are poor…

Again.

You neglect to take into account people repeatedly mentioning our relative lack of money WHEN COMPARED TO SEC SCHOOLS

How much longer do we need to say that until that enters your mind?

I guess at least one more time…

 

[Bulldawg77]

Again.

You neglect to take into account people repeatedly mentioning our relative lack of money WHEN COMPARED TO SEC SCHOOLS

How much longer do we need to say that until that enters your mind?

I guess at least one more time…

Hey boss. We are equal to our neighbors and in our conference but again you keep trying to find false negatives

 

[Mr. Cook]

Again.

You neglect to take into account people repeatedly mentioning our relative lack of money WHEN COMPARED TO SEC SCHOOLS

How much longer do we need to say that until that enters your mind?

I guess at least one more time…

True. Of the SEC institutions reporting, we are the near or at the bottom (depending on Vandy's numbers):

In 2023, total athletic revenues and expenses (in parens) were as follows:

A&M $279M ($195M)
UGA $210 ($187M)
TN $202M ($191M)

ALA $200M ($212M)
LSU $200M ($204M)
AUB $195M ($192M)

FLA $189M ($176M)
UK $174M ($174M)
ARK $167M ($167M)

USC $160M ($160M)
OM $142M ($150M)
MIZ $141M ($141M)

MSU $116M ($126M)

Of additional note:

TX $271M ($234M)
OK $199M ($206M)

Source: Knight Newhouse Data

 

[Bulldawg77]

Y’all so poor ole states.

 

[Called3rdstrikedawg]

I'm not panicked at all. I'm just shocked at how obtuse some of our fanbase is. The scenario you lay out is incredibly bleak. Throw up as many gifs as you'd like, it would be really depressing. You're basically describing what Southern Miss is now.

If MSU athletics is a car. Football is the engine. Baseball is the heated seats. There are some folks in our fanbase who don't care if the engine falls into disrepair as long as the seats are still heated. Sure we may not be able to drive anywhere, but those heated seats sure are nice. That's how I see this. No one is saying you can't like heated seats. I'm saying if you don't realize they're useless without the engine, then you're fooling yourself.

ETA: many, many spelling errors.

Again, nothing to do with a fan's personal preference in the poll. NOTHING.

 

[Called3rdstrikedawg]

More people watched us play Tulsa in the Armed Forces Bowl (talking TV) than watched us win a national championship in baseball. Yes, I'm serious.

That isn't even apples to oranges. That is apples to wood splinters under the finger nails in comparison. I was in Fort Worth and the fanbases were almost dead even. Think about that. Tulsa, a G5 school had as many fans as 3-7 MSU, an SEC school had on a cold rainy blustery day in Fort Worth, Tx. And people in central and northeast Mississippi and northeast Oklahoma has it in TV. Big whoop!

 

[Called3rdstrikedawg]

If this football team wins 6 games with the talent that’s on it, Egg bowl included or not, go ahead and give Lebby a lifetime contract.

Absolutely not! That's what got us in the baseball predicament.

 

[Maroon Eagle]

Hey boss. We are equal to our neighbors and in our conference but again you keep trying to find false negatives

Your obliviousness is cute™

Read the below again.

True. Of the SEC institutions reporting, we are the near or at the bottom (depending on Vandy's numbers):

In 2023, total athletic revenues and expenses (in parens) were as follows:

A&M $279M ($195M)
UGA $210 ($187M)
TN $202M ($191M)

ALA $200M ($212M)
LSU $200M ($204M)
AUB $195M ($192M)

FLA $189M ($176M)
UK $174M ($174M)
ARK $167M ($167M)

USC $160M ($160M)
OM $142M ($150M)
MIZ $141M ($141M)

MSU $116M ($126M)

Of additional note:

TX $271M ($234M)
OK $199M ($206M)

Source: Knight Newhouse Data

As I said previously, MSU is 16th in order of importance in the conference (even if Vandy’s money was significantly lower than State’s— WHICH IT’S NOT CONSIDERING THEY’RE MORE ENDOWED THAN MSU IS (money-wise you pre-verts)).

State will be voted off the island easily if that number is real close to 40.

Y’all so poor ole states.

It’s called common sense.

Maybe you should look into it— or failing that, a Dave Ramsey financial planning class.

I would not be surprised if one of the reasons why people are getting more into debt are automatic credit card payments to NIL collectives.

 

[travis.sixpack]

I live in East Tennessee. 2024 football goes 6-6 with a win over Tennessee would be even sweeter than 2024 football goes 6-6 with a win over Ole Miss.

I win over Ole Miss would:

A) Improve fan psyche,
B) Help in-state recruiting and
C) Likely eliminate OM from the CFP.

 

[RopeDawg]

Regardless if Zavion had a better money deal here or there, he is the poster child for how tough it is for MSU to compete.

If we are good with nil money and he still left, that says so much about who kids think can (now) compete for National Championships. I know he is from LA but we have MS kids every year leave for Bama and many other places.

With that said, I have no idea who has the most money or how much .... but when you see most of our Portal guys are from G5s .... that's a clue.

We likely have to pay more than other schools to even have a chance with most players because let’s face it, Starkville is not a place that majority of students want to be in. It’s just reality. Starkville is only 1 of 2 SEC towns that had a decrease in population the last 4 years. The other being Baton Rouge. Baton Rouge is a very large city though.

 

[IBleedMaroonDawg]

There isn't a big enough like button for this video.

 

[RopeDawg]

First I’m not Charlie but I’m going on what I know and what I have heard so. After we fired ZA we were around 4MM, we then raised close to an additional 5MM with the winning drive campaign once Lebby was hired. My understanding is we have had others step up since. Again not Charlie but these numbers are close. By contrast LSU and until recently Bama have struggled with NIL. LSU reported at around 4MM, at one time this spring hell Zavion had a better deal here than he got at LSU.

So again the thought that we can’t compete in this conference, in this portal, and NIL era is purely fictional because well, some on here just don’t believe we can. They are stuck in this mindset of it’s 1989 and we are poor and LT says we can’t … Fans need to support what we are doing and stop being so damn negative. We are not Oregon state or Washington State here.

It would have been much easier to just say “I don’t know.”

 

[thatsbaseball]

I win over Ole Miss would:

A) Improve fan psyche,
B) Help in-state recruiting and
C) Likely eliminate OM from the CFP.

I am shocked more people don't see it this way. 6-6 with a win over OM this year would be a monster accomplishment and exactly what our whole athletic program needs right now.

 

[Dogsincebirth]

Well, because we have national respect in baseball, we have potential to compete nationally in baseball, we have a national championship in baseball. In football we are and always will be just slightly better than Vandy. Football is about money and history, we have neither compared to the SEC football powers. NIL and the transfer portal has even further distanced us from the SEC elite. What is basketball?

Baseball is a very distant third for every MSU fan I know—and I know a lot of them.

 

[Maroon Eagle]

Baseball is a very distant third for every MSU fan I know—and I know a lot of them.

It’s a little too late to try out the stinky bait in this thread when nearly a third of almost 250 folks went baseball first in the poll.

 

[Mr. Cook]

Baseball is a very distant third for every MSU fan I know—and I know a lot of them.

The game warden has determined that this type of fishing is a fineable offense.

And, as a PSA, fishing with dynamite is not just illegal, it’s just plain wrong

 

[Maroon Eagle]

The game warden has determined that this type of fishing is a fineable offense.

And, as a PSA, fishing with dynamite is not just illegal, it’s just plain wrong

Nah. Fishing with dynamite is traditional so he gets a pass from me.

BTW, I empathize with him since over 18 years ago my first post on this here messageboard included a defense of LT among other things.

I’m looking forward to the time when we’re in our 70s and some youngster posts here and says that Cohen was the best AD in MSU history.

Imagine the standing ovation that person will get from us.

PS: You forgot the ($1)

 

[Xenomorph]

Were the vote results on the pay board similar to here?

 

[OG Goat Holder]

So again the thought that we can’t compete in this conference, in this portal, and NIL era is purely fictional because well, some on here just don’t believe we can. They are stuck in this mindset of it’s 1989 and we are poor and LT says we can’t … Fans need to support what we are doing and stop being so damn negative. We are not Oregon state or Washington State here.

Most everyone on this board was around at the end of Croom and the beginning of Mullen. We all know LT's mentality and 99% of us saw the difference when Byrne stepped in. We know all that BS, and no one here has the mindset of LT.

The NIL era is fundamentally different. Many people just can't stomach the thought of giving money to a kid, and I'm one of those. But I'm not a needle mover anyway so it doesn't matter what I think. You need to be yelling at the big money boys.

 

[OG Goat Holder]

If Zavion had a better deal than he got at LSU, he’d still be here.

It's not inconceivable that he had a better deal from us. For 50 years, the programs like us have had to overpay if we wanted to sign a player through those means. It's just another advantage the blue blood have - they have a bigger stage.

 

[OG Goat Holder]

I am shocked more people don't see it this way. 6-6 with a win over OM this year would be a monster accomplishment and exactly what our whole athletic program needs right now.

Why are we still worried about Ole Miss? We need to figure out our own plan and stop copying them.

I'm not against copying a good idea, but let's be real, that's not what we're doing. We're copying Ole Miss, and no matter what we say, the schools/programs are not the same.

 

[Maroon Eagle]

The NIL era is fundamentally different. Many people just can't stomach the thought of giving money to a kid, and I'm one of those. But I'm not a needle mover anyway so it doesn't matter what I think. You need to be yelling at the big money boys.

My impression has long been that MSU has wanted buy-in from the rank and file fans in order to show the big money fans that Athletics has strong support across the fanbase.

The problem is that they’re attempting to convince people to adopt massive change in inflationary times when folks’ first instincts are to save and conserve.

It's not inconceivable that he had a better deal from us. For 50 years, the programs like us have had to overpay if we wanted to sign a player through those means. It's just another advantage the blue blood have - they have a bigger stage.

Yep.

Apropos of that, I laughed when the $180K for Cam was reported as a discount. Probably a 30 percent markup most likely.

Why are we still worried about Ole Miss? We need to figure out our own plan and stop copying them.

I'm not against copying a good idea, but let's be real, that's not what we're doing. We're copying Ole Miss, and no matter what we say, the schools/programs are not the same.

Right. Obviously football is first. But baseball is the second most attended spectator sport the university has, so it can’t be ignored either.

Basketball: yeah, there’s income there but Hump renovations were completed just before the 23-24 season so it has a little time unless someone made a WT17 non-decision that HAS to be addressed.

 

[gtowndawg]

I am shocked more people don't see it this way. 6-6 with a win over OM this year would be a monster accomplishment and exactly what our whole athletic program needs right now.

100%

 

[gtowndawg]

It’s a little too late to try out the stinky bait in this thread when nearly a third of almost 250 folks went baseball first in the poll.

I've never been to the Dude. Not once. There's more of us out here than you know. Football and basketball are what matters, baseball is like college hockey, a novelty to 95% of the sports fans around the country.

 

[thatsbaseball]

Why are we still worried about Ole Miss? We need to figure out our own plan and stop copying them.

I'm not against copying a good idea, but let's be real, that's not what we're doing. We're copying Ole Miss, and no matter what we say, the schools/programs are not the same.

Two things: 1) I'm not sure I'm following you on "copying OM" 2) Mississippi State will be "worried" about Ole Miss in sports long after you and I have turned into dust. LOL

 

[Maroon Eagle]

I've never been to the Dude. Not once. There's more of us out here than you know. Football and basketball are what matters, baseball is like college hockey, a novelty to 95% of the sports fans around the country.

Not once is a bit surprising considering it’s the second most attended spectator sport at State.

I think of going to the Dude as almost being considered as a student rite of passage.

So much so that Bush 41 got a cheer from us graduates when he mentioned the baseball team in his commencement speech in ‘89.

 

[Hot Rock]

Order of importance:

1st Football - A must for everything to work

2nd Basketball - Lots of eyes and a national obsession in March.

3rd Baseball - regional sport that no cares about except the select few who do it well. Sort of like Hockey is to us for much of the country.

But, this sceario does not have equal footing, you gave the less important sport more success.

Baseball - Super Regional Host - means really good regular season and even some post season success - seems fun

Basketball - Winning one game in March - similar regular season to the last couple years and a 1st round win.... Can mean we can sustain some success as long as Jans is here. That's a bigger deal than hosting a super regional.

Football - 6-6 Less than that at 5-7 makes little difference. Need a little more for me to get excited about that sport.

I take the sustainable basketball success rather than hanging on with Lemonis. The haters will still be out there pushing. Lemonis needs to make it back to Omaha and get a win or so there to shut people up.