Readers weigh in on how Tennessee NIL money should be dispersed for teams | Adams

NIL money has become a big factor in college sports. So, I asked my literary contributors if they controlled Tennessee’s NIL fund, how would they dispense it?

Would they invest all the money in football? Or would they disperse it to other sports?

Marie writes: I’d pay the best player each week.

Step up and get your cash if you had a great day on the gridiron. Double-double in basketball? Here’s your cash.  Home run? Want small or large bills?

If we’re going to pay, we might as well pay the best players for each outing.  Every week, it’s anyone’s opportunity. Pay as well as you play.  Might give more incentive to the ones who whine at not getting enough so they stop giving their best.

My response: I think you’re on to something. Maybe, coaches should be paid the same way.

Shemp writes: Football is the big draw but putting it all into one sport would eventually get you into litigation.

My response: The crew team must eat, too.

Glenn writes: Two thirds of NIL money should go to football as it is the sport that financially drives the athletic bus.  I would divide the other third between men’s basketball and baseball.  The baseball Vols will probably be the next team to win a national championship of any Tennessee sport.

My response: Baseball coach Tony Vitello easily could have been to four consecutive College World Series. He had a great team in 2020, but the season was cut short due to COVID. The 2021 and 2023 teams made the CWS, and the 2022 Vols came up one game short after maybe the best regular season in college baseball history.

Colorado Mark writes: I would allocate it all to Cas Walker, or maybe Dollywood, I mean how can you beat that halftime Dolly Extravaganza?

My response: You are making a joke of this survey question, and I don't appreciate that. Dolly Parton? Come on.

Give me something that makes sense. How about: Give it all to superstar quarterback Nico Iamaleava and let him disperse it as he sees fit. Or he could keep it all for himself.

Bill writes: I'm certainly not knowledgeable about the workings of NIL money, but if I'm an administrator, I believe you have to base your payouts according to the sports that have the potential to provide the greatest revenue.

I know total athletics revenue exceeds $200M, but I don't know the breakdown by sport.  Making an uneducated guess, I'd say 70% football, 15% men's basketball, 10% baseball and 5% women's basketball.

My response: I’m in favor of any extra money going to ushers. They’re the least appreciated work force in the athletic department.

David writes: 50% football, 30 % men’s basketball, 10% baseball, 10% women’s basketball.

My response: You’re shortchanging baseball, which is currently UT’s most successful program. And if you’re investing in women’s sports, why not send money the softball program’s way? It was in the running for a national championship last summer.

Vols Mark writes: I would divide up the money based on revenue-generating power. For example, if football generated 70% of the athletic department revenue, then they should get 70% of the NIL resources and so forth.

My response: You must be a businessman. If Tennessee AD Danny White leaves for another job, I will recommend you as his successor.

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James writes: NIL money should be dispersed to all sports in relation to the percentage of revenue

they generate for the athletic program. Draw more fans, generate more excitement and revenue – plus more NIL money.

The bowling team may not do many commercials though.

My response: Bowling has never caught on in the SEC – except at Vanderbilt. Some pundits might say that Vanderbilt’s football defense reminds them of bowling pins.

I wouldn't say that, though.

John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him at: twitter.com/johnadamskns

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Readers weigh in on how how Tennessee should dispense NIL money for teams