How to support Duke under NIL

[pokeresq]

I did not include this in the larger NIL thread because the purpose of this post is to suggest modest ways in which a "normal fan" might be able to boost NIL benefits for Duke athletes. There also are a few thoughts on how DBR itself might be able to help in NIL efforts.

The purpose of this post is neither to debate the merits of NIL nor to predict what changes will occur to college sports. Rather, this is an attempt to offer options for those who want to support Duke without breaking the bank. I welcome other thoughts on how best to support Duke in the era of NIL.

First and foremost, follow/subscribe to the InstaGram/TikTok/Twitter/Youtube account of every Duke athlete you can. For a quick example, when the next recruit commits to play for Duke MBB, the DBR article on the announcement could contain links to the player's social media accounts. Subsequent articles about a player could also include those links. In downtime, say during timeouts of Duke game, actually click on some of those accounts so that you are deemed a "real subscriber".

A prediction I will make is that in recruiting going forward schools will brag about the total followers of their players and the increase after committing to the school. "Joe Doe increased his IG followers by 30K/300% in the month after he announced he was coming to play for us." "Last year our team had a combined 1.2M Tiktok followers, more than any other team you are considering." In addition, recruits may announce commitments on their own social media accounts instead of going on EspnU.

While Hoops is the focus of DBR, both the site and many of its followers support most Duke teams, at least as a general manner. We could create and update a sticky post with social media accounts for each Duke sport. This would have to be a sticky imho to keep out the trolls and haters. Known posters could be given the ability to update the list for non/limited revenue sports they follow or support. Given that many non revenue sports do not have enough scholarships to go around, NIL money could be a help.

Those of us who by demographics or choice are not big on social media might ask younger relations and friends to subscribe to certain Duke accounts. "All I want for Festivus this year is to get Paolo to X followers on IG, can you help me?"

While most of us will not be in a position to select Duke players for advertising campaigns (looking at you Tim Cook), we can support in smaller financial ways. You already can get your favorite Duke (or UNC) fan a Cameo birthday or Holiday message from Mark Williams. Patreon accounts could support blogs/podcasts etc. with small donations per month. Undoubtedly there will be opportunities for autographs, selfies, attending appearance events etc.

I do not purport to be an expert, but have read multiple articles and listened to numerous podcasts from those who do. Hopefully this post will allow you to use your time more productively while still supporting Duke.

[CameronBornAndBred]

I'm not giving any Duke player in any sport a voluntary dime. I "support them" through my fanship, my appreciation of their game, and through ticket sales and purchases of branded clothes that support the university that they play for.

[Mtn.Devil.91.92.01.10.15]

I'm not giving any Duke player in any sport a voluntary dime. I "support them" through my fanship, my appreciation of their game, and through ticket sales and purchases of branded clothes that support the university that they play for.

Completely your prerogative.

[SupaDave]

I'm not giving any Duke player in any sport a voluntary dime. I "support them" through my fanship, my appreciation of their game, and through ticket sales and purchases of branded clothes that support the university that they play for.

Somewhere a booster just laughed whole heartedly... ($100 handshakes been going on for decades).

[budwom]

I'm far from convinced that this is going to be as big a deal as many are making it out to be. I'd just as soon see the dust settle before taking any action. It will become apparent enough if, how and when we can appropriately support these guys.
But I don't see myself lining up at South Point Mall for autographs, that's for sure.

[CoachJ10]

I'm far from convinced that this is going to be as big a deal as many are making it out to be. I'd just as soon see the dust settle before taking any action. It will become apparent enough if, how and when we can appropriately support these guys.
But I don't see myself lining up at South Point Mall for autographs, that's for sure.

The Slippery Slope argument is undefeated in the course of mankind. Betting against this going to the places that everyone would prefer not to…it seems kinda naive to me. Unfortunately it will be hard to put the genie back in the bottle when the dust settles. And yes…the NCAA only has themselves to blame.

[CameronBornAndBred]

Somewhere a booster just laughed whole heartedly... ($100 handshakes been going on for decades).

Well duh. (And thankfully none has been caught doing such handshaking at Duke.)

I'm merely turned off at the thought (the title of this thread) that the way I've always supported Duke is no longer the way to do it, and now it requires my money feeding directly into a player's hand, and that ain't happening.

I've got no qualms with any player signing with some company, but I'm turned off the thought that I also ought to show my "support" by doing so personally.

[Bob Green]

I'm merely turned off at the thought (the title of this thread) that the way I've always supported Duke is no longer the way to do it, and now it requires my money feeding directly into a player's hand, and that ain't happening.

Well said. I agree 100 percent.

[MarkD83]

In the past DBR has discussed issues such as how to interact with athletes since most if not all of us on this board can be considered "boosters".

https://forums.dukebasketballreport...uot-NBA-Dukies

Do these rules of engagement now change with the new NIL rules?

[-jk]

In the past DBR has discussed issues such as how to interact with athletes since most if not all of us on this board can be considered "boosters".

https://forums.dukebasketballreport...uot-NBA-Dukies

Do these rules of engagement now change with the new NIL rules?

I've heard nothing yet. Given how little time they've had to come up with specifics, I'm not surprised.

-jk

[uh_no]

Well said. I agree 100 percent.

at the very least, I would love if this board didn't become a massive discussion of how we funnel money to the players, and as some comments here are, condemnation of those who choose not to.

[CrazyNotCrazie]

Well duh. (And thankfully none has been caught doing such handshaking at Duke.)

I'm merely turned off at the thought (the title of this thread) that the way I've always supported Duke is no longer the way to do it, and now it requires my money feeding directly into a player's hand, and that ain't happening.

I've got no qualms with any player signing with some company, but I'm turned off the thought that I also ought to show my "support" by doing so personally.

I agree with you in theory. But I think what the original poster is suggesting is that you sign up as a "follower" of the Duke-related people to boost their numbers (I don't fully understand how this process works). So there is no monetary cost to you, just a few minutes of your time.

I don't want to take this off on the usual tangent but I think we agree that this whole process stinks and is yet another step for making us old-school folks less engaged. We are moving further and further from the quaint image of college athletes who are thrilled to be getting a free education (which is worth $75k a year and most students would be thrilled with) and largely live the lives of normal students and more towards hired guns shopping themselves to the highest bidder.

[duke74]

I agree with you in theory. But I think what the original poster is suggesting is that you sign up as a "follower" of the Duke-related people to boost their numbers (I don't fully understand how this process works). So there is no monetary cost to you, just a few minutes of your time.

I don't want to take this off on the usual tangent but I think we agree that this whole process stinks and is yet another step for making us old-school folks less engaged. We are moving further and further from the quaint image of college athletes who are thrilled to be getting a free education (which is worth $75k a year and most students would be thrilled with) and largely live the lives of normal students and more towards hired guns shopping themselves to the highest bidder.

Unfortunately, we are already there…money rewards or not.

[dudog84]

Hey, I got paid to go to Duke. I think I got somewhere between $3.50 and $5.00 an hour for my library work-study job (I'm sure I have a pay stub around somewhere...and I never understood the "study" part of that phrase because there was only work).

[Daddylawman]

I think this goes to the OP's question. It's not really an answer, just speculation on my part. With many online products if you buy it through a link frrom a third party source ( a podcast's site, a promotional site, maybe even a site like Credit Karma) the referring or intermediary party gets a small kickback. I'm wondering if athletes can do this under NIL. Let's say for example I'm buying a swimsuit. One of the Duke swimmers has an NIL deal with a swimsuit company. I buy my suit via a link in the swimmer's social media account. The swimmer gets a cut, costs me nothing.

[brlftz]

I don't object to not wanting to participate in this new model, but I also don't agree with a message that seems to be saying that it's gross for players to want to share in the rewards of a system that's making billions off of their labor. Some of the language being used sounds judgmental to me.

[dball]

In the spirit of this thread, please follow me on My Space. Free Zune for the first ten.

[dukelifer]

In the spirit of this thread, please follow me on My Space. Free Zune for the first ten.

Those things are going for $150-$700 on Ebay

[pokeresq]

I made the original post in the hope of avoiding the unpaid labor vs yell at kids to get off my lawn debate. I simply wanted to offer some suggestions for those who accept NIL as the new normal and might be interested in helping players out.

To clarify, the social media platforms referenced do not require anyone to send/spend any money. Advertisers pay the account owner (player), just as they do for radio, tv and other media. There will be other NIL options which do require spend, such as Cameo or actual physical attendance at a birthday party.

Could there be concrete benefits such as players coming back for another year instead of going to the G league/overseas or even taking one free transfer? Absolutely, but for those numbers to really matter likely would involve sponsors. My OP was intended more around the margins. Zion does not need our help, but Joey Baker might.

Most athletes at Duke or elsewhere likely will make only pizza money from NIL. Pizza money would have been welcome during my undergrad days because as others have noted work study does not pay very well. I am willing to sign up to follow Duke athletes on social media because it costs me nothing but a little time I would be surfing the web during commercials. If you do not wish to do so, then don't. No hard feelings on my side, but please don't denigrate those of us who decide to do so.

[brlftz]

I'm not giving any Duke player in any sport a voluntary dime. I "support them" through my fanship, my appreciation of their game, and through ticket sales and purchases of branded clothes that support the university that they play for.

Bully for you. Would hate to accidentally support the athletes with something more tangible than fond feelings. I hear the exchange rate for kind words from their betters is pretty good right now.