Why RGV? Maybe $400 million donors at other Power 4 schools?

[Elonsmusk]

Soo...unless Marquette can compete with $20M payrolls at Kentucky, and $400 Million Dollar donations to its athletic department, maybe it's possible the RGV model is really our only way to compete going forward?  From the Athletic:

Michigan State University secured a $401 million commitment from Greg and Dawn Williams, with $290 million earmarked for the athletic department. The donation is the largest in school history, eclipsing the previous record of $32 million from Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia.

The $401 million donation consists of $290 million to Spartan athletics, $100 million to Spartan Ventures — a tax-exempt nonprofit created to bolster athletic department fundraising — and $11 million toward academic and extracurricular initiatives.

At a press conference Friday, Greg Williams, the co-founder and CEO of financial technology and insurance brokerage company Acrisure, offered a message to university stakeholders. "Set your expectations extremely high," he said, "because the support that you need to achieve what you want to achieve, you have it." Williams did not attend MSU, but he grew up rooting for the Spartans in nearby Laingsburg, Mich., and has become close friends with men's basketball coach Tom Izzo.
.
The $290 million dedicated to sports marks a strong beginning to the athletic department's $1 billion fundraising campaign, which the school unveiled earlier this week with a promotional video introduced by Spartans all-time great and Lansing native Magic Johnson.

The donation arrives as Michigan State adapts to the capital requirements of modern college athletics, particularly football. Athletic director J Batt dismissed coach Jonathan Smith on Sunday, which means the university will buy out the remaining years on Smith's guaranteed contract for roughly $33 million. The same day, the school announced the hiring of Pat Fitzgerald, the former Northwestern football coach, as Smith's replacement. Fitzgerald signed an incentive-laden, five-year deal with approximately $30 million guaranteed.

Izzo praised the magnitude of the Williamses' donation. "The DNA is to win championships," Izzo said. "The DNA is to be the best we possibly can be. The commitment you made today will certainly propel all of us towards the next championship."

The donation to Michigan State caps a year in which several major universities have reported historic sports-related cash infusions.

The University of Kansas received a $300 million donation in August from alumnus David G. Booth — the largest gift in KU's history. The school plans to direct $75 million of that toward the renovation of David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium and the development of a retail and hospitality district around the stadium. At the University of Illinois, alumnus Larry Gies announced a $100 million gift in September to support the school's athletics endeavors. And on the West Coast, Stanford's football program accepted $50 million from former player Bradford M. Freeman.

The increasing frequency and value of these megadonor gifts speak to the massive budgets NCAA Division I athletic departments require to compensate athletes and coaches in the NIL era.

[panda]

I love this brand new phenomenon where Marquette can no longer compete with the blue bloods like Michigan state, duke and Kentucky on the recruiting front.

[WhiteTrash]

Not impressed.

A $400M gift to the HBCUs would impress me.

[Pakuni]

Soo...unless Marquette can compete with $20M payrolls at Kentucky, and $400 Million Dollar donations to its athletic department, maybe it's possible the RGV model is really our only way to compete going forward? 

You call this competing?

[NCMUFan]

So, maybe we need to do the best we can recruiting both in portal and out of HS and hope dysfunction, early draft, etc. hits the big donor schools.
Has anything really changed with going up against the big $$ donor schools over the years?

[Biggie Clausen]

I don't recall Marquette *ever* winning a recruiting battle against Duke, MSU, or Kentucky.  Heck, I don't think we've ever even beaten out Louisville.

No one is asking Shaka and Marquette to spend $5 million on AJ Dybantsa.  But to maybe fork it over for that one missing piece that could help us win a championship, or plugging a couple holes with guys who could help us avoid having a disastrous season like the one this is shaping up to be?  Yeah, I think the program could probably manage that.

[Zog from Margo]

Will MU's player payroll be in the top 25? Can it be with MU's current resources?

[MU82]

I don't recall Marquette *ever* winning a recruiting battle against Duke, MSU, or Kentucky.

Henry Ellenson chose Marquette over Michigan State and Kentucky.

Joey Hauser chose Marquette over Michigan State, with Kansas showing interest late.

Dawson Garcia chose Marquette over Indiana.

[Pakuni]

Henry Ellenson chose Marquette over Michigan State and Kentucky.

Joey Hauser chose Marquette over Michigan State, with Kansas showing interest late.

Dawson Garcia chose Marquette over Indiana.

So what you're saying is that Wojo was an elite recruiter.

[MU82]

So what you're saying is that Wojo was an elite recruiter.

He wasn't a bad recruiter, that's for sure.

The recruiting game obviously has changed, and we might never know how he'd do in this environment.

[Billy Hoyle]

Maybe MU needs to go the route Utah is going. RIP to college sports.

https://www.sltrib.com/sports/utah-utes/2025/12/09/university-utah-nears-private/

Utah's Board of Trustees has ratified a "nine-figure" private equity deal with Otro Capital that calls for the creation of Utah Brands & Entertainment, a company to oversee the athletic department's revenue-generating sources. Otro will take a minority ownership stake in Utah Brands, and hold two board seats, with the university's Utah Growth Capital Partners Foundation to hold four seats as AD Mark Harlan serves as chair. An additional supporter/investor will sit in the seventh board position. University officials have declined to say how much Otro Capital plans to initially invest because the deal has not been finalized but it is expected to be completed by early 2026. Yahoo's Ross Dellenger adds: "The project includes a fascinating wrinkle. The university is offering a prominent group of donors the ability to purchase a stake in Utah Brands & Entertainment. ... An exit strategy — in five to seven years — exists, and the university holds the right to purchase Otro's ownership stake." More. (link, link)

Utah President Taylor Randall and AD Mark Harlan released a statement regarding today's announcement of the Utes' private equity deal with Otro Capital that reads in part: "This new model will enhance operations of key commercial activities and generate a significant influx of funding for Utah Athletics. It will also help enhance the gameday experience for our incredibly passionate fans. Ultimately, it will improve the student-athlete experience, strengthen our programs and ensure Utah Athletics can continue to thrive and compete for conference and national championships–now and into the future. Most importantly, this transition will allow more of the university's internal resources to remain focused on education (scholarships, access and student success), cutting-edge research and exceptional patient care. By modernizing our athletics model, we are protecting and strengthening our ability to advance our academic mission and deliver societal impact over the long term." (link, link - resolution, link - slide deck)

[Mu8891]

Elon - I don't think anyone expects MU to get a 400 million dollar donation anytime soon... but let's not just throw our hands up and ( basically ) quit either.

Apparently* Dooney Johnson is getting
high six figures from Gonzaga.  And ..
( again ) allegedly at that point MU couldn't compete.

If that's true, then MU has given up on being a top 25 ish team.  High six figures is probably the going rate for a kid of his caliber. Unbelievable and sad, but true.

And ... as many have said, how bout Shaka drops the RGV crap and is willing to sign a few extra guys to help the team:

A " 3 and D " guy to replace OMAX
Any shooter(s) in the past few years, etc etc. 

The players on any D1 team have been playing competitive hoops since 4th or 5th grade.  If Owens ( for example ) wants to play more - then get better.
Sheez

[Jay Bee]

Apparently* Dooney Johnson is getting
high six figures from Gonzaga.  And ..
( again ) allegedly at that point MU couldn't compete.

If that's true, then MU has given up on being a top 25 ish team.  High six figures is probably the going rate for a kid of his caliber. Unbelievable and sad, but true.

What makes all this more difficult is the lack of transparency. "Apparently", "if that's true", etc.

[WhiteTrash]

Maybe MU needs to go the route Utah is going. RIP to college sports.

https://www.sltrib.com/sports/utah-utes/2025/12/09/university-utah-nears-private/

Utah's Board of Trustees has ratified a "nine-figure" private equity deal with Otro Capital that calls for the creation of Utah Brands & Entertainment, a company to oversee the athletic department's revenue-generating sources. Otro will take a minority ownership stake in Utah Brands, and hold two board seats, with the university's Utah Growth Capital Partners Foundation to hold four seats as AD Mark Harlan serves as chair. An additional supporter/investor will sit in the seventh board position. University officials have declined to say how much Otro Capital plans to initially invest because the deal has not been finalized but it is expected to be completed by early 2026. Yahoo's Ross Dellenger adds: "The project includes a fascinating wrinkle. The university is offering a prominent group of donors the ability to purchase a stake in Utah Brands & Entertainment. ... An exit strategy — in five to seven years — exists, and the university holds the right to purchase Otro's ownership stake." More. (link, link)

Utah President Taylor Randall and AD Mark Harlan released a statement regarding today's announcement of the Utes' private equity deal with Otro Capital that reads in part: "This new model will enhance operations of key commercial activities and generate a significant influx of funding for Utah Athletics. It will also help enhance the gameday experience for our incredibly passionate fans. Ultimately, it will improve the student-athlete experience, strengthen our programs and ensure Utah Athletics can continue to thrive and compete for conference and national championships–now and into the future. Most importantly, this transition will allow more of the university's internal resources to remain focused on education (scholarships, access and student success), cutting-edge research and exceptional patient care. By modernizing our athletics model, we are protecting and strengthening our ability to advance our academic mission and deliver societal impact over the long term." (link, link - resolution, link - slide deck)

Four years ago I was told that I was crazy when I predicted this trend.

I know, its just a minority stake and I'm crazy to think they will ever gain a majority position. We'll talk again in four year.

[Elonsmusk]

You call this competing?

I suspect if MU had someone come in with, hell, just a $100 million dollar donation for Men's Basketball, you may see a different approach.  In the linked article Kansas got a $300 million donation, Illinois a $100M donation.

You can fantasize all you want and think MU has a bunch of mega wealthy alums that care about basketball, but the truth is as compared to Power 4 schools - yeah, not so much.

So, what we can do is brand ourselves as a place where you won't get recruited over, we will invest in you, and give you time to develop as a player and person.  As the recruits quality increases (and it has with Nigel, Adrien, Sheek, Egbouno), maybe you can compete with Power 4 schools with payrolls of $20M and big time donors of $100M+.

[WhiteTrash]

I suspect if MU had someone come in with, hell, just a $100 million dollar donation for Men's Basketball, you may see a different approach.  In the linked article Kansas got a $300 million donation, Illinois a $100M donation.

You can fantasize all you want and think MU has a bunch of mega wealthy alums that care about basketball, but the truth is as compared to Power 4 schools - yeah, not so much.

So, what we can do is brand ourselves as a place where you won't get recruited over, we will invest in you, and give you time to develop as a player and person.  As the recruits quality increases (and it has with Nigel, Adrien, Sheek, Egbouno), maybe you can compete with Power 4 schools with payrolls of $20M and big time donors of $100M+.

Honestly, I think I would question the smarts of a player who is willing to take 50 cents on the dollar to play for Marquette. MU and Shaka have to figure this out.

[Elonsmusk]

Honestly, I think I would question the smarts of a player who is willing to take 50 cents on the dollar to play for Marquette. MU and Shaka have to figure this out.

I get your point, yet not all Top 100 kids "hit" their first year or two as players - Oso didn't.  So, you cut a kid like that, and what is his earning potential at the next school after he flames out as a freshman and/or sophomore?  On the present roster, you could point to Tre Norman - think he would have earned more from whatever school he would have landed at if Marquette "cut" him after last season?  But instead he at least gets to earn some cash at MU and we can uphold a degree of our brand and strategy and point to that while recruiting.

Some* parents may value our way, versus simply the highest bidder.  But, no doubt, the landscape of college basketball has shifted massively in the last 4 years.

[Pakuni]

I suspect if MU had someone come in with, hell, just a $100 million dollar donation for Men's Basketball, you may see a different approach.  In the linked article Kansas got a $300 million donation, Illinois a $100M donation.

You can fantasize all you want and think MU has a bunch of mega wealthy alums that care about basketball, but the truth is as compared to Power 4 schools - yeah, not so much.

So, what we can do is brand ourselves as a place where you won't get recruited over, we will invest in you, and give you time to develop as a player and person.  As the recruits quality increases (and it has with Nigel, Adrien, Sheek, Egbouno), maybe you can compete with Power 4 schools with payrolls of $20M and big time donors of $100M+.

I think you've got some inaccurate/misleading info baked into this argument here.
These huge donations you're citing aren't a "go buy basketball players" slush fund. The Kansas money, for example, is primarily to pay for football stadium improvements and related facilities enhancements. Of the Michigan State donation, much of it is going to football, with other sports divvying up the rest. The $100 million to Illinois is going almost exclusively to football.

Which leads to the next point ... most of this donation/NIL arms race is all about football. And that's not an arms race Marquette needs to be a part of. MU doesn't need a $400 million donation, or $100 donation, to be competitive at basketball. Marquette actually has an advantage in that it doesn't have divided loyalties among its alumni and donor base. We don't need to support a hockey program (check out with MSU is paying these days for that) or a football team or a baseball team. It's men's basketball and pretty much only men's basketball (sorry, women's hoopers). Yes, we have a smaller base to fundraise from than some of these big state schools, but we also need far less money and have fewer programs to divide that money amongst.

And yes, MU does need money, but there's really no excuse not to be able to go get it. Our basketball program matches and surpasses some of the biggest schools in the country in attendance, we have an extremely loyal and engaged fan base and our alumni/graduates aren't a bunch of paupers. Beyond that, we're one of only three major sports teams in a top 40 media market (sorry, UWM) with a significant commercial/corporate base. The money is out there if MU can go get it! And if Marquette can't go get it, the way other schools across the country are, that's a Marquette problem, not an NIL/college sports problem, and the university needs to put better people in charge.

Look, nobody is suggesting Marquette will, or can, have a $20 million roster. But the reality is we've never competed on an equal field in terms of resources with programs like Kentucky or UNC or Kansas. And we're not going to now. But there's no reason Marquette can't maintain a successful, top 25 basketball program.

It feels very much that you're just trying to find a rationalization/justification for slavish devotion to a strategy that isn't working right now.

[PointWarrior]

Asking for a friend - how much would it cost to "not suck?" 

[SonOfWarrior]

Honestly, I think I would question the smarts of a player who is willing to take 50 cents on the dollar to play for Marquette. MU and Shaka have to figure this out.

There's two sides to every coin. Say a kid gets a big NIL deal and he has a few bad games. He gets some pressure on the twitter and starts tanking hard. His money is gone next year and he's banished to DIII.

On the Marquette model you avoid the lightning in a bottle kid who is going to basically use Marquette until a true blue blood comes along or go to the NBA. Shaka is trying to have a stable roster with good timing across scholarship classes. Does that model look great right now? Sure doesn't. But this is a long term strategy. There is going to be growing pains. Is the RGV thing tacky? Sure it is. But look at the mission statement of Marquette.  The BOT are focused on a balanced team.  NO headlines in the Chicago Tribune about rape.  Remember Buzz and the sexual assaults? You don't get a chance to really vet a player, meet his family, do the homework on the character of a player.  If Winning was everything you get into the portal. If building a winning culture was everything you start at home and double down on development. Kids who come from families that value being a balanced and good human being will continue to choose Marquette.  The trick is that they need to be 40% from the three point line. 

[panda]

There's two sides to every coin. Say a kid gets a big NIL deal and he has a few bad games. He gets some pressure on the twitter and starts tanking hard. His money is gone next year and he's banished to DIII.

On the Marquette model you avoid the lightning in a bottle kid who is going to basically use Marquette until a true blue blood comes along or go to the NBA. Shaka is trying to have a stable roster with good timing across scholarship classes. Does that model look great right now? Sure doesn't. But this is a long term strategy. There is going to be growing pains. Is the RGV thing tacky? Sure it is. But look at the mission statement of Marquette.  The BOT are focused on a balanced team.  NO headlines in the Chicago Tribune about rape.  Remember Buzz and the sexual assaults? You don't get a chance to really vet a player, meet his family, do the homework on the character of a player.  If Winning was everything you get into the portal. If building a winning culture was everything you start at home and double down on development. Kids who come from families that value being a balanced and good human being will continue to choose Marquette.  The trick is that they need to be 40% from the three point line. 

What I get from this is transfer students are criminals

[WhiteTrash]

What I get from this is transfer students are criminals

And Shaka's recruits are looking for a guaranteed paycheck.

[Jables1604]

Soo...unless Marquette can compete with $20M payrolls at Kentucky, and $400 Million Dollar donations to its athletic department, maybe it's possible the RGV model is really our only way to compete going forward? 

The RGV model is possibly our only real way to compete?!?

#Shaka Slurper

[Zog from Margo]

I think you've got some inaccurate/misleading info baked into this argument here.
These huge donations you're citing aren't a "go buy basketball players" slush fund. The Kansas money, for example, is primarily to pay for football stadium improvements and related facilities enhancements. Of the Michigan State donation, much of it is going to football, with other sports divvying up the rest. The $100 million to Illinois is going almost exclusively to football.

Which leads to the next point ... most of this donation/NIL arms race is all about football. And that's not an arms race Marquette needs to be a part of. MU doesn't need a $400 million donation, or $100 donation, to be competitive at basketball. Marquette actually has an advantage in that it doesn't have divided loyalties among its alumni and donor base. We don't need to support a hockey program (check out with MSU is paying these days for that) or a football team or a baseball team. It's men's basketball and pretty much only men's basketball (sorry, women's hoopers). Yes, we have a smaller base to fundraise from than some of these big state schools, but we also need far less money and have fewer programs to divide that money amongst.

And yes, MU does need money, but there's really no excuse not to be able to go get it. Our basketball program matches and surpasses some of the biggest schools in the country in attendance, we have an extremely loyal and engaged fan base and our alumni/graduates aren't a bunch of paupers. Beyond that, we're one of only three major sports teams in a top 40 media market (sorry, UWM) with a significant commercial/corporate base. The money is out there if MU can go get it! And if Marquette can't go get it, the way other schools across the country are, that's a Marquette problem, not an NIL/college sports problem, and the university needs to put better people in charge.

Look, nobody is suggesting Marquette will, or can, have a $20 million roster. But the reality is we've never competed on an equal field in terms of resources with programs like Kentucky or UNC or Kansas. And we're not going to now. But there's no reason Marquette can't maintain a successful, top 25 basketball program.

It feels very much that you're just trying to find a rationalization/justification for slavish devotion to a strategy that isn't working right now.

Can MU compete with BYU? The LDS is loaded.  Can we expect that 25 schools will have higher payrolls than MU?

[WhiteTrash]

Just my opinion but I feel like some fans:
1. underestimate the financial resources of MU.
2. underestimate the competitive nature of MU players.
3. think that 'no transfers' is the hill Shaka will die on.