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Mods, is it possible to sticky a post? I'm sure all the regulars are well aware of FTR, but we might draw some additional foot traffic from the casual visitors come tournament time. It's useful to make them aware.

Some talk about donating in other threads and it probably deserves its own spot - it's very easy to setup a recurring donation. I encourage everyone to support however they are able. It all adds up and our program deserves the support. https://www.feartheroocollective.com/contribute-zipsmensbasketball

Sources also say Miami OH was turned down by every single P4 school and half the NBA for their basketball schedule, too. The sweaters are spending like drunken sailors. That's a bold strategy Cotton. Let's see how it plays out for them.

I prefer not to think about how we let a good coach leave and take another local school to the conference final, while we missed the conference tournament completely.

If you’re into watching actual coaching and winning basketball , Youngstown State ladies are taking on Green Bay in the Horizon League championship game at noon today after winning a dogfight against Cleveland State in the semis yesterday.

Absolutely. I will also say I believe in Coach Groce and what he is doing more than just about any other coach I've encountered at Akron. He spoke to my son and I at the preseason event and was so kind, personable, and seemed genuinely thankful for our support of the team. You can see why he is so good at recruiting and building a positive culture. But to your point, I feel like my financial support makes at least a small difference because of the smaller roster. I don't feel that way about football at all.

https://akronzippedup.substack.com/p/previewing-the-2026-mac-mens-basketball ZippedUP tournament preview. good read!

All 3 of their fans will be upset.

I hope I'm wrong for the people's sake, but I think history will show LeBron's "influence" on Akron (city/University) as a net negative unless something drastically changes. Unless he's willing to truly commit to growing Akron as a whole, the University would do well in distancing themselves from him as much as possible. Figuring out how to repair/build relationships with the larger Akron-area companies is what UA officials should be focused on in terms of financial support. As a brand, UA would do well in figuring out how to market themselves better to greater-Akron-area families.

I have donated too. I even have a monthly reoccurring donation setup. I wasn't talking just helping financially. I wouldn't be donating if there was no FTR collective to donate to. Yes, I can agree with this point. It's also why I contribute to men's basketball and not football. Not just because of the success, but because I also feel my dollars stretch further. Akron spent some say $1 million on this years basketball which wasn't far behind UMass for the largest dollar amount. An article was released yesterday that Miami (OH) is spending ~$8 million NIL on football this coming year. That's ~6x the amount UMass is spending on basketball. The hard truth is we can't compete in both so it makes more sense to focus on the one we stand a chance with.

Bud is the main driver, but I think the success certainly helps. I have donated many times to Akron basketball. I have never contributed to Akron football. I am sure I'm not alone in that. I'm also sure Bud wouldn't be as likely to drop so much money into the program if he wasn't seeing results on the court.

I would love to "barely" be a billionaire. I don't think LeBron is going to pay for an arena. His financial investments in Akron are almost exclusively in at-risk youth and their families, which I think is pretty cool. But if he wanted to, he absolutely has the money/connections to get something done. I just don't think it is on his future agenda, and that is OK.

Jordan owned a team. There is no arena named after him. He grew up in Wilmington. Not a great place but getting better. All without the help of Jordan's money. This isn't a knock on LBJ. It's a knock at those in NE Ohio who believe that LBJ or some.other savior is going to come along and improve things. People will be waiting around forever.

Not to mention compounding investment returns. I just don't see him being interested in contributing to arena. That doesn't really fit the profile for the charity work he has done. At most he might lend his name and shake a few hands, but he's not cutting a $100M check.

His prime earning is just now beginning. You think Jordan made all his money during his prime? Lebron will be owning a team one day with whatever ownership group he forms. I'm sure he's had the post-retirement plan since he got to LA.

Barely. Building and arena would take him from being a billionaire to a millionaire. I've been confused about this for years. Why do so many around Akron think LBJ is the solution to the problems around Akron?

Exactly this. @ZippyDoo Akron started a competitive excellence fund to help fund NIL. I have the link shared below. You're more than welcome to contribute. I know there is a $20 million cap, but schools are also restricted to only being allowed to spend ~22% of ahtletic department revenue. I'm pretty sure that 22% excludes student fees and other direct institutional support that athletic departments often Hollywood math into their revenue figures. This would mean to spend the full $20M you would have to generate ~$90 million in athletic revenue. Akron is nowhere near that figure. Let's say our athletic revenue is more like $10 million for simple math (when you exclude student fees). That would mean we're restricted to spend only $2.2 million of University money on NIL. At most schools football gets about 70% so that would mean $1.5 million. The reason basketball is so well funded isn't because of the success. It's largely because of Bud Wentz and the ground work he laid. If Kaulig was investing millions into the football program it would be in a similar spot. I say millions because the cost to compete in FBS is probably 5x the cost of men's hoops. https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/CompExFundNIL?fbclid=IwdGRzaAQdAMBjbGNrBB0Al2V4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHo_R-wvonj103QBpdzCLEd2uGZVJ7jVjoOuOtzDWQpG8is6x9IopCq5-yL-g_aem_npqoWX87I8F61GafRenGPA

LeBron is a billionaire.

I think that's the way G5 college football works now? We get to watch a guy like Bruno Dall develop for 1/2 his college career, then off he goes to a deep-pocketed P5 program. The difference is - when Lindor goes to the Mets, the Guardians get to restock their farm system with prospects. They get something in return. With the Zips, they get a couple stale sticks of Double Mint gum from the bottom of mom's purse and, if they're lucky, a $25 Dall jersey sale at the spring game.

I honestly don't think it would be terrible for EMU. Detroit Mercy was 1-31 when he took over and in year 2 has them 1 win away from the Big Dance. That said, it probably won't happen because it would be a tough sell to their fans. What few they still have left. IMO if you aren't going to invest in basketball anyway, Montgomery is a solid choice. You'll hover around mediocre in the MAC, but that certainly beats dumpster fire. It's unrealistic to expect anything better if you aren't financially committed.

Montgomery to WMU?

It might be tough to step into Stan Heath's tiny little shoes.

Montgomery to EMU 😀

20 mil is the cap, it doesn't mean we just have 20 more million dollars now