Clarification on Transfer Timing

[Jay Bee]

In this world of #FakeNews #Lies, I understand why many are confused. You have and will continue to hear it "reported" that the 'transfer portal is open April 7-21, 2026'. That is not true.

The April 7-21, 2026 is the notification-of-transfer window for kids to tell their current school that they would like to be added to the portal. That's it. For these kids, doing so enables them to an easy-pass of immediate eligibility at their new institution.

Those who notified their desire to be added to the portal during the April 7-21, 2026 window absolutely DO NOT need to find a new school by April 21.

The portal is always open, and there are other times certain SA's can enter and have an easy-pass of immediate eligibility at their new landed spot (e.g., coaching changes (as defined -- diff rules for announced changes with no new coach for 30 days vs. new coach is hired but there's a 5 day 'meeting period', etc.)).

For MU fans, I think there are a couple of important points.

- For most transfers, things move fast and understandably so. However, we may not have found transfers to fill all spots by April 21. That's OK - the question is who is still out there looking for a home, and who may be added to that list in the future (e.g., grad, coaching change, etc.). I would prefer to know everything later this month, but it's entirely possible it will take more time (potentially much more time).  And remember, new names can appear during the summer so having a spot(s) open isn't all bad.

- From a school's perspective, the end of the notification period is huge (note, there can be a short delay between a kid requesting entry into the portal and administratively them being entered -- so, it may take a day or two past April 21 before all is known re: who entered successfully during the notification period).

As an example, after the April 21, if Nigel (just using as an example, he's all in on MU!!) has not asked MU to be entered into the portal, we know he didn't have a last-minute change of heart and he would have one helluva time trying to play anywhere else in 2026-27. So, that's when some money bags drop (e.g., direct payments from universities). It can become a fiscal year game for some schools -- for either direct payment cap (not relevant for us) or fiscal year spend preferences. But, I believe a lot of kids around the country will see big $$ show up in the bank accounts shortly after the notification window ends. "Thanks for staying!!"... of course, you can get 'shorted' out of your money if someone decides to leave the team during the year and you heavily front-loaded their payments.. they won't get to play elsewhere, but they've got the bag -- and regardless how any contract is written, it's hard to imagine a school wanting to get public heat for trying to clawback funds from 'a poor college student'.

Stay calm. Stay smart. WE ARE MARQUETTE.

[tower912]

I appreciate you explaining this yet again.   It has taken on a freethrowsnomatta life of its own for something so relatively straightforward.  Hell, it is in your signature that the portal is not closed.

[panda]

Tyfys