Portal Changes

[Itsamystery]

Greetings OTF Community!

I thought it might be interesting to get the communities input into their thoughts on the top issues they would like to see changed regarding the portal. All I ask are two things:

• Do not turn this into a meme fest. I love them, but really want you to use your words. And I think we have seen enough Joe Zura memes to last a lifetime.
• When you list a problem, justify it it and provide a solution as to why. It is easy to complain, yet harder to find solutions.

I will offer an issue that I would like to see addressed to start things off: Agent certification- Whomever represents an athlete has to meet a certain criteria. No, they do not have to be a lawyer, but they have to have some knowledge of calculating market value, contract negotiations, cost benefit analysis, etc. What I want to avoid in the future is Uncle Slim or a buddy majoring in business in negotiating with staff who has no idea how to look at compensation and a university in total.

Thanks for participating.

[LonghornLegends]

12 minutes ago, Itsamystery said:

Greetings OTF Community!

I thought it might be interesting to get the communities input into their thoughts on the top issues they would like to see changed regarding the portal. All I ask are two things:

• Do not turn this into a meme fest. I love them, but really want you to use your words. And I think we have seen enough Joe Zura memes to last a lifetime.
• When you list a problem, justify it it and provide a solution as to why. It is easy to complain, yet harder to find solutions.

I will offer an issue that I would like to see addressed to start things off: Agent certification- Whomever represents an athlete has to meet a certain criteria. No, they do not have to be a lawyer, but they have to have some knowledge of calculating market value, contract negotiations, cost benefit analysis, etc. What I want to avoid in the future is Uncle Slim or a buddy majoring in business in negotiating with staff who has no idea how to look at compensation and a university in total.

Thanks for participating.

I agree with your take, they definitely have to be certified and have done agent work for a few years. I have a feeling there is a ton of kids getting told by their “agents” that they can get a certain amount of money, but are left either in the portal or wishing they never left their team.

[Wabi Sabi]

My biggest issue is how the vast majority of players are taking a year-to-year approach on their decisions. The unlimited transfer rule created an open market field day for the agents you referenced, which has allowed them to steer kids into decisions that aren't in their best interest. This will reduce parity over time and hurt the sport over the long haul. 

Don't get me wrong, every kid should have the ability to transfer. Their chances to make it to the next level are largely attributed to playing time and scheme fit, and they should be able to act out of their own betterment. But we need to limit this to one open transfer and then go back to having to sit out a year for the 2nd transfer - with some caveats for HC changes, etc.