I don't get this angle. Why would fans care?
by ndzippy (2024-02-26 12:45:31)

In reply to: One solution, very unpalatable for long term fans,...  posted by Kbyrnes

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Why would anybody associated with ND care about a team--consisting entirely of non-students (because that's what will happen)--that wears its logo via a licensing agreement with the school?

If ND licensed its logo to a minor-league baseball team (or even a major league team), I would have no more interest in that squad than a team like the South Bend Silverhawks or Chicago Cubs.

The "shared experience" we have with the student-athletes wearing ND uniforms is a hell of a lot more important to most fans than a "shared logo" will ever be.

Just food for thought, but
by smithwick  (2024-02-26 14:12:43)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

presumably ND would still be able to recruit athletes that would find the benefit of pursuing a ND degree. Let's say 30-50% of the team still wants to work towards a degree.

For the others, wouldn't ND still continue to recruit high-character kids who value the school, its mission, and its values? Marcus Freeman has no connection to the school other than getting paid a hefty sum to coach it. Yet, it's obvious he completely embodies the spirit of the school and its mission. Would there not be a number of 18-22 year olds who may not wish (or cannot) pursue a degree, but would still be fine representatives of the University and you could cheer for?

I am not taking a position either way, but just throwing this out there.

Reasonable minds can disagree, but I'd still be 100% out
by ndzippy  (2024-02-26 15:08:48)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

College athletics is for college students, period.

When that connection is severed--even if by "just" 50% of the players on the roster--so is my interest in it.

There is a long list of things ND currently licenses its trademarks for that I have zero interest in: Citizen watches, Dooney & Bourke wallets, Tervis tumblers, Zipchair gaming chairs, Marble Canyon duffel bags, chrome pub tables, billiard lights, letter openers, paperweights, etc. A licensed "college football" team would immediately land on that list.