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Our second Sunbelt opponent, Troy, wins their league tournament.

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

You could have at least lied and said you were attending a heavy metal concert.

I hate to be the realist, but if $8 million NIL (on top of whatever we're spending on everything else) is the cost to compete at the G5 level what's the point of continuing? People (myself included) gripe about MLB with no salary cap, but at least there are rules in place so a Francisco Lindor or Skenes can stay in Cleveland or Pittsburgh for the first half dozen years of their careers. If MLB operated like college athletics they would be on a Yankees or Dodgers roster day 1. Any late bloomers would join those rosters immediately following a breakout season. There is no way for us to compete.

All 3 of their fans will be upset.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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 agree. The strength of this team is not the height but athleticism and quickness. Currently, I like Marvin more than Chabi becaus Chabi just seems slow to me. He just has not done well after his injury. We need to clone Evan Mahaffey. I have really been impressed with him this season. The last dozen games he has been amazing. I have questions about Oggie, Briscoe and Chabi but I never thought Amani would be as good as he has been this year. You just never know who is going to develop their game in the off season.

When I still lived in the Midwest, Grand Rapids was one of my favorite places to go. I was there recently was there again and it's even better. A big part of the start of the revitalization of downtown was Van Andel Arena. Akron doesn't need something this big, but an arena would help. The Van Andels are the family that started Amway. There isn't a business around Akron that would pony up the money for an arena. In 2025 dollars, Van Andel Arena would cost approximately $160 million.per Wikipedia. Goodyear or Firestone could pony up some but they won't. LBJ is rich, but he isn't Van Andels level rich. Gary Taylor wasn't Van Andel level rich. Akron is really stuck with the JAR. https://www.vanandelarena.com/

Pirates fans chant, "Sell the team!". It's the wrong cheer. Small market teams should be chanting, "Lock them out!". The only way for small market teams to compete is to institute a salary cap. That can only be accomplished by locking out the players and force a renegotiation of the labor contract. What does this have to do with college athletics? Easy, lock the players out and refuse to pay their nils and scholarships. Make the bet that the players will cave. This would force the players to the bargaining table and provide some order to college athletics. Lock them out!

Pluto didn't write that - Captain Obvious did.

Pluto - MAC Tournament Pressure

To be clear, Summit Co. voters haven't expressed opposition to a downtown arena, they just don't want to be taxed for it. And I don't think LBJ has been approached to contribute to any Akron basketball facilities or has said he never would. A lot may depend on his next endeavors after retirement, his business interests, and how/where is is splitting his time and residency. It would probably be a good sign for the area if he decides to play a final season with the Cavs.

There is definitely a market for a mid size music venue in Akron imo. There's a level of musician that doesn't come to Akron but hits up places like Kemba Live in Columbus and Stage AE in Pittsburgh and drives right through Akron. Too small for Blossom, too big for EJ or Akron Civic Below is the tour schedule for Akron's own Black Keys https://theblackkeys.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoq5FvIBX6ltfsV_nnzvRIsqUaOdTHK6iukNKNvPeC9MiYxtWbmV

His RayJ Dennis-led squad was the most March-ready team he ever had and they lost to inSincere Carry's Kent clowns.

I know a long shot but do you think we could ever get a 10k arena downtown Akron. Next to the rubber ducks a lock 3. LeBron could pay and the city could help. Then move the Cleveland charge into that arena and have the zips play there. it would be a UA, charge and concert venue. Creating a stadium district downtown.

If Syracuse were stupid enough to hire-away a Zips AD who’s accomplished nothing, good for them. Then again, Fordham hired-away our Graphic Designer, so anything is possible.