Kirby Smart Criticizes NIL Tampering as House v. NCAA Settlement Looms
The Georgia coach warns of market instability, competitive imbalances, and long-term harm to college sports as schools and agents exploit NIL loopholes ahead of the proposed $20.5 million spending cap.
- Kirby Smart has raised concerns about agents tampering with players and shopping them to schools before the transfer portal officially opens, citing firsthand experience with these practices.
- The upcoming House v. NCAA settlement, expected to introduce a $20.5 million NIL spending cap, has sparked fears of market manipulation and unintended consequences for college sports programs.
- Smart criticized the current NIL system for exacerbating inequalities, with wealthier programs gaining a competitive edge while smaller schools struggle to compete.
- Schools and agents are reportedly frontloading NIL deals to bypass the proposed cap, creating instability and raising questions about the enforceability of the new regulations.
- Smart expressed doubts about the long-term benefits of the current NIL model for athletes, warning that it could lead to cuts in non-revenue sports and harm the sustainability of college athletics.
EssentiallySports 