Ironically I just watched the movie Air about the Nike pursuit of Michael Jordan a week ago. What I found interesting was Nike’s willingness to think outside of the box. Pun partially intended. Seeing the Nike rep interacting with Phil Knight and then Knights willingness to risk protocol for the chance of a breakthrough deal has me wondering the methodology of Oregons approach. The portrayal of Jordan’s agents involvement was also revealing. Is it Oregon or is it the agent who’s the spin master? Is Oregon going straight to the parent which we know in Moore’s case already had relationship with the Moore family?
I’m curious also if agents are using Texas as leverage. Moore’s commit to Oregon is eerily similar to what we’ve heard about Damonic Williams. Kid makes silent verbal commit but already has last visit scheduled at another school. Texas has its deal seemingly agreed upon and buttoned up. Last visit school offers more money and/or concessions. Texas holds pat on already agreed to deal for integrity, culture, or whatever sake relenting the negotiations. I’m not convinced one bit about the reason kid flips put out to media. Whenever someone says it’s not about the money? It’s always about the money.
How can we find out what agent/agents are bringing all these kids to Oregon? What’s in it for them? Are they able to represent the parents/benefactor separately from the kid? Are they paid to get a kid to visit? Is it more for the last visit? Or, are they being circumvented then succumbing to the Nike ether?
I wonder if CDC, Hartzell, & Sark are beginning to think outside of the box? Or is there just still too much of NIL up in the air?