Syracuse HC Fran Brown Blasts WR Over NIL Dispute

Below are the top NIL headlines from April 16th:

Fran Brown's Stance on Pena's NIL Request

Syracuse head football coach Fran Brown, who led the Orange to 10 wins last season in his first year at the job, publicly addressed the departure of their leading returning wide receiver, Trebor Pena, who entered the transfer portal. Brown revealed that Pena's decision was primarily driven by his unmet demands for a larger NIL deal. According to Brown, Pena requested a significant increase in his compensation, a figure that Brown was unwilling to meet. As Brown stated, "We paid him enough. He was going to get paid more. There were some numbers that were asked to me that I didn't feel I would be able to do and move on."

Brown's Valuation of Wide Receivers

Brown expressed a firm stance against what he considered an inflated valuation for a wide receiver at the college level. He specifically cited the $2 million figure reportedly sought by Pena as being unrealistic for the position, with the exception of truly exceptional talents. Brown emphatically declared, "You gonna make $2 million at wide receiver? That's the homie at Ohio State (Jeremiah Smith). Ain't nobody else making that money. I'm not giving no wide receiver $2 million in college. That ain't me." He further elaborated that he would only consider such a substantial payout for a player of the caliber of Travis Hunter, suggesting a very high bar for such compensation.

Concerns Beyond NIL

Beyond the NIL dispute, Brown indicated other issues contributed to Pena's exit. He mentioned Pena questioning the readiness of LSU transfer quarterback Rickie Collins to take on the starting role. Brown found this interference unacceptable, stating, "That ain't your freaking job to be thinking that. I ain't got time for you to be doing all that stuff." He emphasized that players overstepping their boundaries and questioning coaching decisions would not be tolerated within the program.

Brown's Perspective on Team Focus

While acknowledging Pena's talent and impressive statistics from the previous season, where he led the team with 84 receptions for 941 yards and nine touchdowns, Brown suggested that Pena's focus had shifted towards his individual gain in his final year of eligibility. Brown stated, "He's about him, to make sure he can do well because this is his last (year)." 

Finality of the Decision

Ultimately, Brown felt he had no choice but to let Pena move on. He reiterated his belief that he had treated the player fairly, providing adequate compensation and support. Brown concluded by saying, "Of course, I treated him right. I took care of him, done everything that was needed. I just said, 'Yo, you've got to go.'" He also offered a cautionary note about the transfer portal, suggesting that players sometimes overestimate the opportunities elsewhere, stating, "A lot of times people think the grass greener on the other side, and then they get there and they find out it was turf."

Gundy's Perspective on NIL

Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy believes that if NIL deals were available during his time as the Cowboys' star quarterback in the late 1980s, his career trajectory would have been drastically different. Gundy stated that having access to multi-million dollar deals early in his career would have likely led to his downfall.

Comparison to Johnny Manziel

Gundy specifically likened his potential situation to that of former Texas A&M quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel. Manziel's promising football career was derailed by substance abuse issues following his entry into the NFL. Gundy suggested he would have followed a similar path, potentially squandering his money and facing unforeseen negative consequences.

Gundy's Successful Path

Unlike the hypothetical scenario with NIL, Gundy successfully navigated his college career at Oklahoma State from 1986 to 1989 without such financial opportunities. He transitioned into coaching, starting as an assistant at his alma mater in 1990. Fifteen years later, he became the head coach, a position he has held for two decades, amassing a successful record.

Reflection on Current Landscape

Gundy's comments come amidst the impending House v. NCAA settlement, which is expected to allow schools to share revenue with student-athletes. While many former athletes might imagine the benefits of today's NIL and transfer portal landscape, Gundy is grateful he didn't have such opportunities, believing they would have negatively impacted his life and career.

Crocs' Expanded NIL Athlete Program

Crocs, a popular footwear brand, has announced its latest roster of student-athletes participating in NIL deals. Building on their NIL involvement since 2021, this new group features eight prominent athletes across various sports and career stages. The selection ranges from highly touted incoming freshmen like basketball prospects Cameron and Cayden Boozer (Duke) to established stars such as Ohio State football's Caleb Downs and Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart, who is NFL Draft-bound.

Diverse Athlete Representation

The diverse lineup also includes other notable names like Ohio State football's Carnell Tate, Michigan gymnastics' Frederick Richard, and South Carolina basketball standouts Ta’niya Latson and Tessa Johnson. This selection highlights Crocs' strategy to partner with athletes from different sports and institutions, broadening their brand reach within the collegiate demographic.

Partnership Details and Rationale

Each athlete will promote Crocs' Classic and Echo collections through personalized social media content. Additionally, they will have dedicated landing pages on crocs.com and offer their followers a 20% discount using personalized promo codes. Crocs stated that these athletes were chosen not only for being genuine fans of the brand but also for their dedication and achievements both in their respective sports and beyond, aligning with the brand's image and values.

Crocs' Strategic NIL Approach

Crocs' continued investment in NIL deals shows the brand's understanding of the collegiate market's influence and the power of student-athlete endorsements. By partnering with a mix of emerging talents and established figures, Crocs aims to build lasting brand loyalty among college students and their broader social networks. This strategy allows Crocs to tap into the authentic connections these athletes have with their peers and fans, leveraging their personal brands to drive product awareness and sales within a key consumer demographic.