Another payday for Canady - does making a CWS bring in
enough value to justify $1 million? I realize NIL money comes from donors. But, at some point there has to be a longer term payback for the school or the donors. Increase the profile of the program? Trying to make some financial sense of it? I can't see donors willing to cover $1 million every year just to have a softball CWS team.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/after-1-million-co...
18 Replies
1y
That’s what TT basically did.
(In response to this post by nkhooch)
1y
They have already achieved that
(In response to this post by hokiepro)
1y
financially for doing that?
(In response to this post by Hockeydad)
1y
This is from a New York Times story on her recruitment. It sounds like money is no object for them. Some excerpts from the story which is linked below.
“John and Tracy Sellers arrived in Lubbock, Texas, the evening of Monday, July 22, with dinner reservations and an intention: to woo the best college softball player in the world to play for Texas Tech….
“Texas Tech softball isn’t on the same level as Stanford, and cowers in comparison to a blue blood like Oklahoma, but the Sellers could offer a distinct perspective. John played football for the Red Raiders under Mike Leach. Tracy played softball at Tech and was on the search committee for newly hired softball manager Gerry Glasco, whom Tech lured from Louisiana after five Sun Belt Conference titles and a .773 winning percentage in seven seasons.
“The Sellers could offer distinct resources, too. John co-founded Double Eagle Energy, a multi-billion-dollar upstream oil-and-gas company that operates in the nearby Permian Basin region of West Texas. He also co-founded Matador Club, which he oversees with business partner and fellow Red Raiders alum Cody Campbell. The collective aims to sign every athlete on campus to an NIL deal – achieving it in football, men’s and women’s basketball, softball, baseball, track and golf, including $25,000 each for football players and $10,000 each for softball. In 2022, the Sellers gifted Texas Tech athletics $11 million, with $1 million going toward facility upgrades to Rocky Johnson Field, Tech’s softball stadium.
She’s a superstar,” John Sellers said. “I wanted her to make the best choice she thought she could make.”
“The contract is for one year and $1,050,024, as The Athletic previously reported. It’s believed to be the highest-ever NIL contract for a softball player — by a wide margin.
“The $24 is for Canady’s jersey number. The $50,000 is for living expenses. And the $1 million is for Canady.
“John Sellers declined to comment on the specific amount but described it as “a life-changing” deal.
“She deserves it,” he added. “She’s a complete game-changer for any program, but especially a place like Tech.”
“I definitely think NiJa’s felt the love and support she’s going to get at Tech,” John Sellers said. “It speaks to what we’re willing to do here to create a good culture and win a lot of games, no matter what sport it is.”
My thoughts: I think they are willing to keep writing big checks. 😳
(In response to this post by nkhooch)
1y
will compete for CWS. I wonder how you recruit pitchers in that scenario?
That is the only downside I see in softball vs baseball. The impact one pitcher can have. Our offense in 2008 was terrible. .240/ 24 HRs. We made it to the CWS.
(In response to this post by VTChip)
1y
(In response to this post by vthokieq)
1y
Arizona, Florida State,UCLA and other Powerhouse teams that have won the championship before nil and before the portal even Virginia Tech made it to the College World Series without big money I think this is ruining the college softball that I love! That being said I know they're doing it because they can and I'm sure if we had the money at Tech they would do it too just don't like it! It's not like the Colleges benefit from it it's still a low profit sport just a bunch of guys big money and big egos!
(In response to this post by VTChip)
1y
And if their goal was to make the CWS, then they achieved that.
Link:
Lubbock story
(In response to this post by nkhooch)
1y
Stroke that check. @laphroaig probably has that in his sofa cushions right? 😜🤷🏻♂️😂
(In response to this post by VTChip)
1y
$1,500 per out.
$307 per pitch.
(In response to this post by nkhooch)
1y
But you ask a very pertinent question for the great majority who aren't within that mini sub-culture.
(In response to this post by nkhooch)