On the weekend of the College Football Playoff National Championship, Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh took to the podium in front of numerous media members. Harbaugh, coaching the undefeated Wolverines in Monday’s title game, spoke at length about his team’s upcoming tilt against fellow unbeaten Washington Huskies. However, he also spoke about the current state of college football, specifically players receiving payment via name, image, and likeness (NIL). In recent years, players have earned the ability to make money while playing in college, a system long before considered illegal. Harbaugh believes that although players have started to receive monetary gains for their play on the field, more is needed.
Jim Harbaugh on paying college athletes: “The billions that are being generated, they’re not getting much of.”
Suggests everyone profiting off college athletes, himself included, should take a 5-10% pay cut and put it toward the players. pic.twitter.com/nqtEb8rYiT
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) January 6, 2024
Michigan Football HC Jim Harbaugh: ‘Let’s Do the Right Thing’
Harbaugh spoke to the media on Saturday, and when pressed about players and NIL, he had a lengthy response. Harbaugh said, “I would say this. Anybody that is profiting off the student-athletes right now, myself included, coaches, somewhere between five and ten percent, take five to ten percent less that could go for any administrator, any coach, any conference, any university, NCAA, five to ten percent less and a ten percent tax from the television station into one pot for the student-athletes, that a start.”
Harbaugh’s solution to players receiving more money through NIL was simple: for coaches, administrators, conferences, and universities to take a pay cut. Like many of the top coaches in the game, Harbaugh makes millions of dollars a year. Kentucky’s Mark Stoops, Tennessee’s Josh Heupel, Mississippi’s Lane Kiffin, Texas A&M’s Jimbo Fisher (since fired), LSU’s Brian Kelly, USC’s Lincoln Riley, Michigan State’s Mel Tucker (since fired), Ohio State’s Ryan Day, Georgia’s Kirby Smart, Clemson’s Dabo Swinney, and Alabama’s Nick Saban all make at least $9 million annually. Administrators and conferences are also subject to huge paydays.
Harbaugh continued, “The billions that are being generated, they’re not getting much of, very small percentage.” The Michigan football bench boss also pointed towards the massive TV contracts as a way to give players more money. TV contracts are projected to go up 17% next season, per Harbaugh.
Michigan Football: Plays for Title on Monday
On Monday, the Wolverines will face the Washington Huskies in the College Football Playoff National Championship. With a win, Michigan will win their ninth title and first since 1997. However, win or loss, head coach Jim Harbaugh could return to the NFL. The Wolverines frontman continued to get linked to the Los Angeles Chargers opening at head coach.
For More Football News:
Follow me on Twitter at @alec_musa. You can also reach out to me via email at musaalec@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest college and NFL news, click here!