UCLA Basketball Makes Major Move To Adapt to New Era

NIL has transformed the landscape of college basketball.

I am all for players earning money for their play, and I was ecstatic when the day came for college athletes to finally make money, just like professional athletes do. They are the ones who put their bodies on the line, and it was unfair that someone who could sell their jersey at the student bookstore could make money from them, but the player couldn’t.

Mar 20, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Mick Cronin reacts in the first half during a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

However, this “wild, wild west” of college athletics has been exhausting to cover, with so many players leaving for the portal and all the tampering. Legendary basketball coaches like Mike Krzyzewski of Duke, Jay Wright of Villanova, and Nick Saban of Alabama football have left, citing the new era of college athletics and its draining nature.

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Even Dusty May, who just won a national championship with Michigan, said he couldn’t even enjoy it because of the transfer portal. When speaking with Kyle Tucker of 247Sports, May spoke and summed it up in one sentence. “It’s almost impossible to even enjoy it.”

UCLA head coach Mick Cronin reacts to a play against Michigan State during the first half of Big Ten tournament quarterfinal at United Center in Chicago on Friday, March 13, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Now, colleges are hiring general managers to help build out the roster and handle the NIL deals with players. That way, it takes pressure off coaches and lets them focus on coaching.

UCLA has joined that growing group of schools and has promoted Max Feldman to the GM role.

Mar 20, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Mick Cronin in the second half during a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | IMAGN…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/ucla-basketball-makes-major-move-110008222.html

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Publish date : 2026-07-16 11:00:00

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