Does a new facility mean as much in the NIL era

[Mark Wheeler]

Mandel: Maryland moved into a $149 million football facility last year with hopes of boosting Mike Locksley's recruiting.

Bad timing, though: NIL happened.

"They’d get dressed in the trash can for $25,000."

 

[JayM]

No. We are way too late to the party on this. The impact would have been potentially huge if we had done it 10 or even 20 years ago.

It always amazed me that we have been able to get such good players and put together so many good teams with absolutely pathetic facilities. Imagine where we could be if we went all in when Clemson did or even before that. We would be Clemson, or better.

I'm a Gator fan and enjoy watching the games and following the team but it's clear that the University of Florida cares less about football than our SEC rivals and that's still true today.

Maybe the new President will change that? I will be interesting to watch unfold.

 

[crfcom]

No. We are way too late to the party on this. The impact would have been potentially huge if we had done it 10 or even 20 years ago.

It always amazed me that we have been able to get such good players and put together so many good teams with absolutely pathetic facilities. Imagine where we could be if we went all in when Clemson did or even before that. We would be Clemson, or better.

I'm a Gator fan and enjoy watching the games and following the team but it's clear that the University of Florida cares less about football than our SEC rivals and that's still true today.

Maybe the new President will change that? I will be interesting to watch unfold.

Oh, I think UF cares a lot about football. The football program pays for all the other programs and makes a profit every year, which goes into the schools scholarship fund. Right now they are planning an all new stadium with upgraded facilities. People are spoiled nowadays. The players like the fancy sports facilities and expect them, and the fanbase is demanding a better game day experience, so they're going to get it. Better screens, sound, seats, facilities, and WiFi. College football is big money.

 

[Napier's Army]

We waited too long to get up to speed with everyone else. We are modern now but what we have is the same as what UGA, Alabama, Oklahoma and those teams already had. We aren't behind but we aren't ahead.

 

[Mark Wheeler]

More quotes on the subject.

"Unfortunately, we moved in at a time when facilities have been de-emphasized in a recruit’s mind,” Locksley said. “Because they’d get dressed in the trash can for $25,000.”

That's the reality in today's age of NIL -- recruits care more about the money in their pockets than the money that goes into schools' facilities.

The facilities arms race that has dominated football will slow down as that money moves to NIL.

The big dogs, however, will be able to keep up with both -- elite facilities and seemingly never-ending NIL funding.

 

[crfcom]

It's not either/or. You have to have both. Right now, UF may have an edge in facilities, but is a little behind in NIL.

 

[Tampa area Gator]

It's not either/or. You have to have both. Right now, UF may have an edge in facilities, but is a little behind in NIL.

You always on point.

We are one of the few programs that can have both.