02:17 The Football NIL Battlefront: Fair Pay or Power Grab?

Recruiting Fair & Showcase Recap

• 🌧️ Weather scare at DeSmet but event stayed mostly dry — testing ran smoothly.

• 👥 28 colleges represented across FCS, D2, D3, NAIA, and JUCO levels.

• 👨‍🏫 45–50 college coaches attended, plus 35–40 high school coaches.

• 📣 Strong message: If you're not attending events with coaches watching, you're wasting time and money.

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📌 Recruiting Tips & Insights

• 🎯 Take initiative: Don’t wait for coaches — go introduce yourself.

• 📋 Coaches walk around with target lists but are always discovering new talent.

• 🔄 Athletes are encouraged to build relationships early, especially with repeat opportunities like upcoming KC Varsity and Lindenwood combines.

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🔥 Standout Performer Highlight

• 🧱 Demetrius Thompson (Clayton/Brentwood):

  • Dominated 1v1s across the defensive line.

  • Ran a 4.73 laser 40-yard dash at ~6'4", 215 lbs.

  • Trains at Elite — confident, skilled, and primed for a big summer.

  • Possible future pro potential: “Trajectory to play on Sundays.”

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⚖️ Guest Interview: Bogdan Susan (Athlete Attorney)

• 🎓 Background: 30 years in law, specializing in NCAA compliance, Title IX, NIL, and athlete representation.

• ⚠️ Concerns about the House v. NCAA NIL settlement:

  • NCAA proposing a third-party “unbiased” body to set fair market value for deals >$600.

  • Massive red flags over antitrust, anti-commerce implications.

  • Attorneys ready to sue — fairness, legality, and athlete rights are all at stake.

• 💸 Schools and donors may face consequences if deals are deemed “too high.”

• 🏛️ Strong opinions that athletes need legal protection and collective bargaining (like pro athletes get).

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🧨 The Future of College Sports

• 🏢 Kentucky reportedly creating an LLC for its athletic department — may signal movement toward private equity involvement.

• 🏟️ Explosion in stadium branding, business integration, and licensing deals.

• 📺 Live sports, especially football, remain extremely valuable — major TV and sponsor interest.

• 💥 Prediction: Major conferences may soon break away entirely from NCAA control.

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🧠 Final Thoughts

• The NCAA is clinging to relevance through revenue control and restrictive rules.

• There’s growing momentum for a new model where athletes are properly compensated.

• Expect continued lawsuits, resistance from smaller schools, and possible unionization efforts.