UCABEARS75 And here’s my analysis. When you compare total revenue and athletic budgets of G5 schools like Bowling Green, ULM, Southern Miss, Northern Illinois, Kent St, etc… you don’t find that big of a financial difference. As for NIL/transfer portal, the gap isn’t going to widen. The transfer portal more than NIL has actually leveled the playing field in allowing smaller budget school (FCS and G5 FBS) to appeal to higher rated 4 and/or 3 star players that aren’t getting playing time elsewhere. Most programs don’t have the money to “buy” players. UCA will be no different and can do just fine continuing to do as they have in bringing in the best talent that isn’t asking/demanding crazy NIL compensation. I can agree that our BB facilities lag but NOT our football field, stadium, or associated facilities. At best we could maybe look to find a way to close in part of the stadium and add 5-8k seats. But on any given home game if marketed right, UCA can have as many as other smaller G5 schools have in attendance. Maybe give or take a couple thousand. As for coaching salaries, we would most definitely need to fork out more money to come close to paying what FBS schools pay. Or at least commit to paying a head coach a comparable salary and maybe coordinators while cutting cost on position coaches to save some money.
Well, those are my thoughts. Thanks for giving me your assessment. I think we both want UCA to continue to grow and make the leap to FBS when able. We just disagree on how soon that could be. I’m okay with that.
