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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

It will be awkward for NIU in the Horizon next year...

Mark Montgomery and Detroit into the Horizon League final. Quick turnaround of that program.

I'm can admit that I do not know the number game and I do not pretend to understand how the system works. But if Google is correct, and I know the internet is NEVER wrong, I just inquired if Akron university university opt into the 20 million dollar revenue sharing like other division one colleges? And this was the reply: Yes, the University of Akron (UA) opted into the NCAA settlement to participate in revenue sharing with athletes. As of July 2025, the Zips announced their commitment to this structure, which enables them to directly compensate student-athletes for the use of their name, image, and likeness (NIL) through a new Competitive Excellence Fund. Akron Beacon Journal +1 So if Google is correct, why is there NO money for football? I understand the Basketball team getting the large portion because of their success. But there should be SOME money for the football team... The players get 91$ a month, they didn't get their winter coats until the end of January and that was the only gear the returning players got. Obviously, I know the scholarship players get their education so you don't have to make that argument... I'm just pointing out that the players that come here from JUCO colleges say Akron is just like going to another JUCO college. I would love to see Akron build a winning program and for players to WANT to stay here but to use Kreed's Pirate's analogy, Akron is nothing more than a minor league farm club team. A player comes here with only the hopes of getting on the field and getting some film to move on. Where is the 20 million at? It is in the football team or the coaching staff...

I would imagine that's hard to project. It really just takes 1 team offering an absurd sum. I'm sure Eric could get some attention given his size and well rounded game, but at the same time I just can't see him getting the money Nate received. I'll choose to enjoy this run and will worry about the portal when that time comes.