Let's talk Money

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have long grappled with financial constraints, which have a direct impact on their sports programs. According to JBHE, many HBCUs struggle to keep up with larger institutions in terms of athletic facilities, coaching staff salaries, and recruiting budgets. This lack of financial resources hampers their ability to attract and retain top-tier athletes and compete at the highest levels of collegiate sports. The article points out that HBCUs often face difficulties securing corporate sponsorships and generating revenue from media rights and ticket sales, which further exacerbates the funding disparities.

              At the last world cup for the first time ever the United States Mens and Women’s National teams made the same amount of money. This happened without the women playing in one game. In the history of US soccer, the women have been dominant on the world stage while the men have been somewhat pathetic, at least of late. Until this last World Cup, though, you would not be able to tell that at all with the payouts each team received. The new Collective Bargaining Agreement that both teams signed which outlines a split payout for each team at any event, stemmed from a lawsuit the USWNT filed against US Soccer for “Institutionalized Gender Discrimination”. I see this as a great step especially for womens soccer around the world.

The article discusses the impact of the NCAA's Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policy and the transfer portal on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). It highlights how these changes in collegiate athletics have presented both opportunities and challenges for HBCU sports programs. The NIL policy allows student-athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness, potentially leveling the playing field for HBCUs in recruiting and retaining top talent. However, the article points out that HBCUs face financial constraints compared to larger institutions, which could limit their ability to compete for highly sought-after athletes. Additionally, the transfer portal, which allows student-athletes to transfer schools more easily, poses a challenge for HBCUs as they may lose players to larger programs. The article also mentions the efforts made by HBCUs to adapt to these changes, such as embracing social media and exploring partnerships with businesses. Overall, the article highlights the complexities and implications of the NIL policy and the transfer portal on HBCUs and their sports programs.