"If you give them some money, they're gonna take it": UNC HC Mack Brown dispels the notion of CFB players only playing for NIL deals
North Carolina coach Mack Brown doesn't believe that the name, image and likeness money will make college football more like the NFL. In an appearance on "Late Kick with Josh Pate," the Tar Heels coach dispelled rumors about the NIL setup and the notion of players only playing for the deals. According to him, the college players didn't ask to be paid, but they aren't going to refuse the money.
Ever since the NIL was introduced in 2021, there have been apprehensions about the system. Critics have suggested that it could ruin the game if the players dump loyalty for money. But Brown disagreed with that notion.
“I don't think we’re gonna change and be more like the NFL because the kids didn't ask for this,” Brown told host Josh Pate. “NFL guys go into it knowing that they’re getting paid. Nope, not one player asked to be paid. So when fans tell me, ‘I don't wanna watch them anymore, they are just after the money’, they’re really not.”
Mack Brown talked glowingly about the college players, saying they are wonderful people who fight it out every day. Giving his own example, he reminded everyone about his pay rise at Texas after winning the national championship, even though he didn't ask for it. According to him, the same principle applies to college players.
“If you give them some money, they’re gonna take it,” Brown said. “‘But are they gonna practice hard? Are they gonna play hard?’ I don't believe they're gonna walk out on you any more, there's no loyalty, I don't believe all that. I love these kids.”
Mack Brown opposed the idea of a CFB superconference
While Mack Brown has wholeheartedly accepted the idea of college football players getting paid, he isn't keen on another idea hovering around. The UNC coach opposed the notion of a superconference consisting of teams from the SEC and the Big Ten last year. According to him, it won't be good for football.
“I don't think it's best for college football to have two mega-conferences with 50 teams (total) because there are so many great programs that will not be able to compete at the same level they are now,” Brown told Action Network in September.
Eight of the past 11 national titles have gone to the two conferences. They have historically been the most dominant leagues in the college football system, and their merger might create an unbeatable behemoth. But for Mack Brown and several others, it isn't a good idea to implement.