Tom Izzo Discusses how NIL has Affected Recruiting
Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deals and sponsorships have negatively affected recruiting players in college sports over the last few years.
Before 2021, players would play high school sports and not worry about which college would put them on the map and make them the most money. Athletes could decide on a school based on location, coaching staff, friends, family, etc., but now the thought is, "Why go to a non Power Five school when they don't get me recognized by more people and make me more money through NIL deals?"
Michigan State men's basketball coach Tom Izzo explained how NIL has changed recruiting and made the process more difficult when he joined "The Dan Patrick Show" on Friday.
"Anybody that tells you that this has not been maybe the most taxing and credible, confusing state of college sports, they're lying to you," Izzo said. "It is, but I'm not sure I want to get into that either. So, right now, I'm [going to] keep on trucking. But it has, Dan, it's been different.
"The Dayton grad you are -- I know that Dayton had a good run this year -- who knows who's going to be coming back, who's leaving. I don't think any coach knows that about any player, and that's kind of sad."
Izzo said in regards to the transfer portal, the benefits question has been the common theme.
"The minute they said, 'Hello, I'm Tom Izzo,' it's: "What's my package?" he said. " ... I think what happens in the transfer portal is kids know that a coach wants you maybe because he's trying to save his job, and maybe the money will go up and all that kind of stuff.
"Whereas freshmen, although, we argued on our board that it's going to hurt freshmen. There's not as many freshmen being recruited, there's not as many freshmen playing, and I think that's one of the unintended consequences to this."
Since becoming Michigan State's head coach in 1995, Izzo has seen it all, but this new era of college basketball might be the most impactful change.
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