The 2026 Transfer Portal

[Jack Strop]

Pro soccer-style transfer fees would make up for the investment put into developing players and having them leave the next year.

I agree that it could be an equitable model for the NCAA. But how is such an arrangement managed and enforced across teams, leagues, etc.? How are the transfer fee values determined?

 

[psyclone]

I agree that it could be an equitable model for the NCAA. But how is such an arrangement managed and enforced across teams, leagues, etc.? How are the transfer fee values determined?

Maybe a "value-added" tax--some % of the amount that the player is being offerred.

 

[GMUgemini]

Maybe a "value-added" tax--some % of the amount that the player is being offerred.

In soccer, the player usually gets 10% of the transfer fee as part of their salary, maybe you flip the model and the university gets 10% of whatever is being offered.

So Kory goes to South Carolina for 2 million? He gets 1.8m and Mason gets 200k.

 

[tblack33]

I agree that it could be an equitable model for the NCAA. But how is such an arrangement managed and enforced across teams, leagues, etc.? How are the transfer fee values determined?

You’d have to make players employees, collectively bargain with a nationwide union, sign them to multi year contracts with buyout clauses negotiated and stipulated. That’s the long term solution. Near term, no idea how to fix this.

 

[NewPatriot]

Like Matas. Would be perfect for the four spot. Good enough to provide solid minutes, not so good that he's a focal point and taking time away from Pendy.

I'm not sure if Makar is any good but he is 7'1, so if that's legit and we can afford him at a reasonable rate, I say why not!

Im waiting on the 7'2 or 7'3 guy to pop up

 

[jessej]

wow!!!!!!

 

[FlPatriot]

You’d have to make players employees, collectively bargain with a nationwide union, sign them to multi year contracts with buyout clauses negotiated and stipulated. That’s the long term solution. Near term, no idea how to fix this.

Think if a few schools start doing it everyone will jump on. It’s the only way to begin leveling the field.

 

[GMUgemini]

View attachment 3074

wow!!!!!!

I think this is why it’s unsustainable. Feels like extortion.

You’d think these schools would hold the line at some point (except they’re largely being paid with other people’s money).

It’s almost have to ban donations at this point. Salary cap rosters and say this is what you guys can spend.

Stop shaking down fans for more and more money.

 

[Ben Chwarmer]

Not gonna happen. Why would five star kids come to mason with all the well discussed challenges and antiquated processes we have? Come on, lol.

Hey it’s the offseason so wild ideas are always welcomed.

Cause Mason can give them their fair market value and promise minutes.

 

[Ben Chwarmer]

They’re cheaper because you’re paying for what is the worst year of most players’ development curve. And now you can’t afford to keep them beyond the first year if they play well so what’s the point?

We can’t afford to keep the transfers either, so what’s the point.

They’re cheaper because you’re paying for what is the worst year of most players’ development curve. And now you can’t afford to keep them beyond the first year if they play well so what’s the point?

To be fair, we can’t seem to keep the transfer players either.

 

[Jack Strop]

You’d have to make players employees, collectively bargain with a nationwide union, sign them to multi year contracts with buyout clauses negotiated and stipulated. That’s the long term solution. Near term, no idea how to fix this.

I think this is why it’s unsustainable. Feels like extortion.

You’d think these schools would hold the line at some point (except they’re largely being paid with other people’s money).

It’s almost have to ban donations at this point. Salary cap rosters and say this is what you guys can spend.

Stop shaking down fans for more and more money.

Correct. The current system is unsustainable—but not for the reasons that many think. I think it would be more on the line of when the market corrects itself, meaning, fans shell out a ton of money for "high quality" players and end up not reaching the fans' expectations [*cough* GW *cough*]. Two or three seasons of "failure" and the money flow stops. Then and only then will these "donors" start to realize that throwing their money away over such a "bad investment" that may not pan out as planned Is fool hardy. Let the market do its work.

Yes, changing the current system has to be done wholesale. If only a handful of schools do it then I don't think the rest will follow—the others will take advantage competitively, swoop in, and scoop up the disaffected players. There's no player's agent anywhere who would advise their client to voluntarily accept such restraints on movement and potential dollars without additional compensation. And that means even more dollars are needed. There has to be a restrictive rule for all or a rule for none.

 

[FreeGunston12]

Correct. The current system is unsustainable—but not for the reasons that many think. I think it would be more on the line of when the market corrects itself, meaning, fans shell out a ton of money for "high quality" players and end up not reaching the fans' expectations [*cough* GW *cough*]. Two or three seasons of "failure" and the money flow stops. Then and only then will these "donors" start to realize that throwing their money away over such a "bad investment" that may not pan out as planned Is fool hardy. Let the market do its work.

Yes, changing the current system has to be done wholesale. If only a handful of schools do it then I don't think the rest will follow—the others will take advantage competitively, swoop in, and scoop up the disaffected players. There's no player's agent anywhere who would advise their client to voluntarily accept such restraints on movement and potential dollars without additional compensation. And that means even more dollars are needed. There has to be a restrictive rule for all or a rule for none.

What happens when we get 10 years down the line and no one has any money to address outdated facilities, etc?

 

[GMUgemini]

What happens when we get 10 years down the line and no one has any money to address outdated facilities, etc?

Go to all the millionaires we created and ask them to pay it forward.

 

[gmujim92]

We can’t afford to keep the transfers either, so what’s the point.

To be fair, we can’t seem to keep the transfer players either.

With few exceptions, you’re gonna be better off at our level building with veteran players who are physically stronger and already adjusted to the college game. Then if/when they leave, you find others.

 

[mshin5]

Go to all the millionaires we created and ask them to pay it forward.

Unfortunately, Mason has not had a consistently good basketball program until recently so hopefully this current generation will become millionaires

 

[mkaufman1]

We can’t afford to keep the transfers either, so what’s the point.

To be fair, we can’t seem to keep the transfer players either.

Five star freshman probably arent affordable either. Plus the frosh that come to mason generally aren't ready for college ball.

Go to all the millionaires we created and ask them to pay it forward.

Lets go bitcoin and nvidia! Lol

 

[GMUgemini]

Five star freshman probably arent affordable either. Plus the frosh that come to mason generally aren't ready for college ball.


Lets go bitcoin and nvidia! Lol

I was literally talking about the basketball players (Haynes left for 1 million last year; Long, Mincy, and Allenspach apparently about to become millionaires too).

 

[EXpatriot13]

What happens when we get 10 years down the line and no one has any money to address outdated facilities, etc?

Good thing Mason already has this problem.

 

[mkaufman1]

Good thing Mason already has this problem.

Jokes aside at least we will maybe have something new and modern by then. Who knows though. We were supposed to have "Phase 2 of the Basketball Facility" in like 2017, lol

 

[DRK331]

Jokes aside at least we will maybe have something new and modern by then. Who knows though. We were supposed to have "Phase 2 of the Basketball Facility" in like 2017, lol

The new Basketball performance center is hopefully to be completed in December 2027 according to this article:

Investing in our Future - George Mason University Athletics

Dear Mason Nation,

gomason.com