Poll: 90% of FBS athletic directors concerned about NIL as recruiting tool

Athletics directors from Football Bowl Subdivision institutions are concerned with using name, image and likeness as an inducement for recruiting, according to a new survey.

Of those ADs polled by the LEAD1 association, a group representing the 130-member schools, 90% were concerned that collectives were using NIL deals as improper recruiting tools. Approximately 80 FBS athletic directors were surveyed on NIL, transfer portal and Division I structure.

Seventy-eight percent of ADs surveyed also believe that NIL collectives will impact athletic department fundraising, limiting a department’s financial resources and 77% of those surveyed believe an unregulated NIL market will eventually lead to scandals.

Some of the other findings include:

• 92% disagree that NIL payments should be allowed as “pay for performance.”
• 87% disagree that NIL payments should be permitted as “pay for play” tied to a specific athletics team.
• 72% agree NIL payments should be tied to market value.

The ADs also were surveyed about the transfer portal, with 87% agreeing that there should be designated “dead periods” to curtail unlimited transferring to other schools.

[ Former UCF and current Nebraska coach Scott Frost punished by NCAA  ]

Those polled were asked about reducing the number of members in the Division I structure, with 67% agreeing that a reduction is needed from the current 350 members and 58% were against individual conferences holding full autonomy over issues such as NIL and athlete compensation and scholarship regulations.

This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Matt Murschel at mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com or follow him on Twitter at @osmattmurschel.