Syracuse, N.Y. ― Syracuse athletic director John Wildhack has yet to talk to Adam Weitsman after one of the school’s most visible boosters announced that he would offer $1 million to a football recruit and a basketball recruit through the NCAA’s new name, image and likeness rules.
Weitsman, the Upstate New York recycling magnate who regularly attends SU basketball games alongside celebrity guests such as Tom Brady, Jimmy Fallon and Giannis Antetokounmpo, plans to make the million-dollar offers to five-star recruits in both sports.
Weitsman’s proposal represents a stark departure from SU’s other NIL efforts, which have focused on maximizing current athletes’ ability to earn money based on their name, image and likeness.
In a question-and-answer session with local media on Thursday, Wildhack said he had not discussed the million-dollar deal with Weitsman.
“That’s an individual decision, right, that Adam makes,’' Wildhack said. “Which he can do. It’s the world of NIL. It’s a new world for everybody.’'
Since Weitsman is offering his deal to a recruit, under the NCAA’s rules, it can’t be contingent on the recruits coming to Syracuse. The NCAA has said that pay-for-play deals for recruits to commit to a specific school are prohibited.
Rather than wade into the murky waters surrounding pay-for-play, Wildhack emphasized the university’s ongoing efforts to help its own student-athletes.
“We’ve been supportive of NIL since Day 1,’' Wildhack said. “We’re going to continue to be supportive of our athletes to be able to monetize. We’ve educated our athletes. We continue to be supporters of them in identifying opportunities for them. So nothing’s changed in that sense.’’
He noted a couple of NIL opportunities that have a charitable aspect, including one that had SU football players serving at the Samaritan Center earlier this week.
On Friday, the Syracuse men’s and women’s basketball teams will participate in an open scrimmage at Monroe Madness in Rochester. Prior to the start of the scrimmage, SU men’s coach Jim Boeheim, women’s coach Felisha Legette-Jack and men’s lacrosse coach Gary Gait will hold an NIL panel discussion with fans.
“It’s to educate and also it’s to encourage people,’' Wildhack said. “If they want to participate, here’s how they can help. Education is a big part. Obviously, it’s an individual decision and we respect that.’’
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