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The brave new world of NIL in college sports

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Tuesday, 15 July 2025

Written by Pitt Dickey

If you liked NIL money and its ugly stepsister, the Transfer Portal, you are going to love Revenue Sharing for college student athletes.
Remember the golden days of long ago when college players stayed at their schools long enough for fans of other schools to hate them? What Carolina fan did not enjoy wishing missed free throws on Dook’s Bobby Hurley or Christian Laettner? It was a wonderful part of basketball.
But on 1 July, 2021, all that delightful ill will ended when NIL came into effect.
Some background info about NIL and the Transfer Portal. For those who came in late, NIL stands for Name, Image, and Likeness for college players. They are officially allowed to be paid by third parties for endorsements, sponsorships, and business ventures.
Before NIL, none of these activities had ever occurred at any college. Not one. All colleges played by the same rules. Coincidentally, I have a bridge I would like to sell you.
Some soreheads contend that NIL stands for “Now It’s Legal.” The Transfer Portal is where college players go at the end of each season to auction off their talents to the highest bidder. School loyalty is a moldy artifact of the past. Money talks and everybody walks to the next school. It is hard to remember their names after one season when they are one and done, gone on to another school or the NBA.
The newest plan to turn college sports into free-range pro teams is Revenue Sharing. Colleges can now pay players in addition to third-party NIL money. Ponder what this portends.
UNC’s esteemed Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham issued a statement regarding what Revenue Sharing will mean for the Tar Heels.
Author’s Note: Bubba will soon be kicked upstairs to make room for a new UNC Athletic Director who has a 15-year background in NASCAR marketing.
Here is what Bubba sez: UNC will pay $20.5 million each year to athletes with most of it going to the revenue-generating sports of men’s football and basketball.
“Women’s basketball and baseball players are receiving some revenue share, as well.”
“ Some” in this context means “a whole lot less.” The cap on the number of scholarships is removed with UNC increasing all sports scholarships from 338 to 532 paid positions. The sports budget at UNC will increase from $150 million to about $180 million next year. That is a lot of bucks. From whence shall these dollars arise?
Funny you should ask about money? UNC recently appointed a new Money Czar with the colorful title of Chief Revenue Officer “to investigate and initiate new revenue opportunities, including naming rights, field sponsorships and jersey patches… More aggressive ticket sales initiatives (higher prices). Additional funding allocated by the State of NC from gambling revenues may also assist our efforts.” {Emphasis Added)
What does this mean in English? Lots of cool stuff coming down the pike to raise bucks. Naming rights mean the Bank of America-Tar Heel football team may be playing on the Preparation H Hemorrhoid Cream Field in the beautiful Tidy Bowl-Kenan Stadium.
Companies will jump at the chance to sponsor football penalties announced to TV audiences such as the Clearasil Acne Unsportsmanlike Conduct, Tampax illegal block in the back, Raid Roach Killer Roughing the Kicker, Charmin Toilet Paper illegal formation, Ex-Lax False Start, d-Con Rodent Killer Holding Penalty, and the Old Spice Antiperspirant Personal Foul.
Imagine the thrill of watching the Heels play basketball in the Weed Eater-Dean Dome! Basketball penalties offer similar sponsorship opportunities. Could we hear calls for the Oral-B Flagrant Foul, the Chanel Number 5 Fragrant foul, the Equate Flushable Wet Wipes Double Dribble, the Ozempic Traveling Penalty, or the Draft Kings 5 Second Inbounds Violation? The possibilities are endless.
Jersey patches on football players and basketball players are going to be a thing of beauty. The Heels will end up looking like NASCAR drivers with patches for Camel Cigarettes, Champion Spark Plugs, Bud Light beer, Smirnoff Vodka, etc., covering their baby blue uniforms. Pure class.
The most exciting thing is Bubba’s passing mention that the Tar Heels may end up getting Gambling Money from the State. What could go wrong? Gamblers never try to fix games. If you are older than dirt, you might remember the old Dixie Classic Basketball tournament back in the ‘50s when UNC, Dook, Wake Forest, and NC State played 4 really good out-of-state teams. It ended ingloriously when players were caught shaving points. Of course, that could never happen again.
Bring on the Fan Duel NIL sponsorship of players. Place bets at your seats. It’s gonna be yuge.

(Illustration by Pitt Dickey)

Publisher's Pen: Dr. Hank Parfitt asks "Why is it..."

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Tuesday, 15 July 2025

Written by Bill Bowman

Below is a Letter to the Editor from my long-time friend and resident of Fayetteville, a person who is undoubtedly one of the most dedicated advocates of the Fayetteville downtown community, a successful businessman, and the most loyal purveyor and custodian of Fayetteville’s rich history, Dr. Hank Parfitt.
His letter below asks some pointed questions about how and why the new board of Cumberland County Commissioners chose to reject the downtown location for a new Event Center and opt to renovate and revitalize the existing facilities at the Crown Complex out on Eastern Blvd. Hwy. 301.
We value our readers' opinions and concerns and encourage them to submit letters and share their thoughts with us and the community.
However, I want to address Dr. Parfitt's last and final “Why is it,” because it pertains to me personally and reflects on the nature and integrity of our community newspaper. Dr. Parfitt asks: Why is it: that Up & Coming Weekly Newspaper editor [publisher] /owner Bill Bowman (who says he wants his magazine [newspaper] to be a serious journalistic endeavor and a watchdog for the whole community), doesn’t ask these questions instead of blindly accepting Chairman DeViere’s meaningless “government speak” pronouncements?
My response is “YES”, I do want my newspaper’s journalistic endeavor to be a media watchdog of sorts for the entire Fayetteville/Cumberland County community. This is a mission and mandate that has served as my company's foundation for three decades.
And, “YES,” I certainly researched to find out information about these questions to include conversations with board chairman deViere and Commissioner Tyson, as has my respected colleague Troy Williams. And, “NO,” we do not blindly accept anyone’s “government speak.”
So, with all due respect, below are the questions that Dr. Hank Parfitt has posed, and the conclusions that have resulted from the information readily available from dozens of reports, documents, surveys, videos, and minutes of meetings about the Event Center PROJECT and the options being considered.
Any information contrary to what I have printed below needs to be brought to my attention immediately because that would be NEWS!. Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly community newspaper.

—Bill Bowman, Publisher, Up & Coming Weekly

Letter to the Editor by Dr. Hank Parfitt
Why is it…that the decision by the previous Cumberland County Board of Commissioners to put the new performing arts/event center Downtown – after many years of public input, studies by consultants, and thoughtful deliberation – was reversed by 4 commissioners (Marshall Faircloth, Pavan Patel, Henry Tyson, and Board Chair Kirk DeViere) without similar public discussion? Is it that they are that much smarter than everyone else?

Bowman: Actually the June 4th vote was a 5-2. Left out was long time board member Jeannette Council. This decision followed months of studies including detailed cost reviews and several financial and parking assessments, and a community survey analysis. A CSL (Convention, Sports & Leisure) study in 2021 reflected that when residents were made aware of all the factors involved, they preferred renovation of the existing facilities to the downtown options.

Why is it…that even though Chairman DeViere claims that “it (their decision) reflects our commitment to fiscal responsibility,” they were in such a hurry to throw away $30 million already spent on design fees, property acquisition, demolition and site prep, and even on steel already purchased, cut, and shipped? And…

Bowman: Actually, that number is $36 million, and only $14 million has been spent. The remaining $22-million remains. Without a doubt, the site prep work will benefit what goes there next. What is puzzling is why the previous board made $26 million of commitments within days of the new board taking office.

Why is it:…that they ignored Commissioner Adams’ warning that these expenditures would have to come out of the General Fund instead of funds from the Hotel Occupancy Tax if they abandoned the project? And…

Bowman: Not sure how valid Adams’ warning is since the use of those funds need to be determined by the Local Government Commission.

Why is it…they ignored the loss of revenue from upcoming shows already booked at the old Crown event center, which will have to be cancelled if the new event center has not been started by November, according to the Consent Agreement from the lawsuit over inadequate disability access at the old Crown theater?

Bowman: According to Rick Moorefield, Cumberland County’s Attorney, the consent order does not state that the shows must stop. Planning for renovations will provide minimal disruption to existing bookings. And, based on Crown Complex General Manager, Seth Benalt’s enthusiasm for upcoming events, he didn’t show any concern about cancellations or loss of revenue.

Why is it…that the one public meeting (June 4), announced only 3 days in advance, was not a serious debate as promised by Chairman DeViere, but instead a well-rehearsed performance by the “Gang of Four,” who seemingly had already decided they did not want the new event center Downtown?

Bowman: I wasn’t aware there was going to be a debate, promised or otherwise. I do know that at all levels of government, there are very rigid regulations by the county’s standard public notice requirement. The June 4th meeting included several comprehensive presentations on the project costs, parking assessments, construction timelines, financial options for both locations, and professional cost estimates. Everything discussed at that meeting was supported with materials that were made available to the public and certainly provided to the media. A decision on the GMP3 package had to be made that day because the contractor’s bids were due to expire.

Why is it…that they were so eager to tie the cost of a parking deck to the new center, even though the county had planned for years to build a deck anyway?

Bowman: The $33 million parking deck (with an elevator) is needed for the downtown location due to no on-site ADA parking solution that previous planning failed to adequately address, representing a 25% cost increase consistently downplayed in public presentations. The parking deck RFP awarded to Samet Construction identified the Crown Event Center as a use in the scope.

Why is it…that they were using this and anything else they could grab to inflate the cost of the center above and beyond any realistic projections, even adding to their calculations the $30 million already spent and already part of the projected cost, as Commissioner Tyson tried to do?

Bowman: Inflate the cost? In 2014, when the project began, the renovation estimate for the Theatre was $35 million as opposed to the $75 million estimate for the new facility. At this point, it was a no-brainer to build new. However, in 2022, the new facility estimates reached $132 million; then again in 2024, costs reached $163 million, only to be "reduced" in 2025 to $144 million. (This did not include $33 million parking deck). This represents more than 100% increase from the original projections. Up & Coming Weekly editorialized that between 2015 – 2025 no one thought to go and get an updated estimate on what it would cost to renovate the existing Theatre property. I felt this was the first red flag that the downtown Event Center was thought to be a “done deal.”

Why is it…that when County Manager Grier (who deserves kudos for keeping his cool when Commissioner Tyson, in so many words, accused him of fudging results to favor a Downtown location) told them they could include the deck but still stay under budget if he reconfigured it for average daily use instead of maximum occupancy in a worst-case scenario, they ignored his offer?

Bowman: I was at the meeting, and Commissioner Tyson never accused the County Manager of fudging anything. Matter of fact, Tyson addressed all his remarks and his concerns about overinflated costs directly to the architect.

Why is it…that they cancelled the new center by voting “to reject the revised cost estimate (guaranteed maximum cost or GMP3)” instead of saying exactly what they meant? When Commissioners Adams and Jones asked point-blank if it meant the project was cancelled, Chairman DeViere remained stone-faced and steadfastly mute.

Bowman: Again, that vote to reject the GMP3 bid package did not cancel the project. It only rejected the bid.

Why is it…that even though the County’s website lists under “Guiding Principles” for the Crown Event Project that it be “a local and regional asset that builds upon existing development and infrastructure and is a catalyst for existing and new businesses to flourish,” the “Gang of Four” decided to renovate a dilapidated 60-year-old building on 301 rather than Downtown, which has been revitalized thanks to joint partnerships between the City and individual investors, and where it can do the most good for the most people and indeed, the whole community?

Bowman: The June 4th vote was a 5-2 vote to direct the county manager to develop an “RFQ" to renovate and modernize the Crown Arena and Theatre Again, it must be noted that the 2021 CSL study of over 1000 residents showed that when all relevant factors were considered, county residents preferred renovation of the existing facilities over all the downtown options.
One final point of exception to Dr. Parfitt’s quote, “Downtown, which has been revitalized thanks to joint partnerships between the City and individual investors,” Revitalized? No, it hasn’t in spite of “joint partnerships between the City and individual investors.”
And no one knows this better than Hank Parfitt. Fayetteville has great potential, but it will never be realized until it gets leadership that can bring everyone together for the greater good. Historic Downtown Fayetteville should be the Shining Star and number one destination in Cumberland County.
It can be, and will be, with the right leadership.
Bill Bowman can be contacted at: bbowman@upandcomingweekly.com

(Photo: An artist's rendition of the Crown Event Center in downtown Fayetteville. Photo courtesy of City of Fayetteville)

Troy's Perspective: Cumberland County's status

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Tuesday, 15 July 2025

Written by Troy Williams

Many residents in Cumberland County are uninformed about our current Tier 1 status and its significant implications. We must take action to ensure everyone is knowledgeable, and we must hold our public officials accountable for addressing this challenge.
The North Carolina Department of Commerce annually ranks the state's 100 counties based on economic well-being and assigns each a tier designation. The county distress rankings tier system is designed to encourage economic activity in less prosperous areas of the state through various state incentive programs. County tiers are calculated using four key factors: the average unemployment rate, median household income, population growth rate, and the adjusted property tax base per capita.
County tier rankings, which range from 1 to 3, are based on economic distress, with Tier 1 being the most distressed and Tier 3 the least. Tier 2 counties fall in the middle. Cumberland County is designated as a Tier 1 county, meaning it is classified as one of the most economically distressed areas in North Carolina. If you're unaware of this, you're not alone; many people find themselves in the same situation.
What may be even more surprising is that Cumberland's northern neighbor, Harnett County, is classified as Tier 2, with a median family income of $65,242 (as of 2022), compared to Cumberland's median family income of $58,013. Lee County's $63,060, and Moore County is classified as Tier 3, with a median household income of $78,057.
From 2010 to 2022, Cumberland County experienced an average annual growth rate of just 0.2%. In contrast, Harnett County, one of the fastest-growing counties in North Carolina, experienced an 18.6% growth, while Hoke County also saw significant growth, increasing by 17.8%. When politicians state that Fayetteville and Cumberland County are experiencing growth, it is essential to understand the context. The Fayetteville, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the US Office of Management and Budget, includes Cumberland, Harnett, and Hoke counties, with Fayetteville serving as its central city. Fayetteville and Cumberland County's neighboring areas are experiencing growth, but the central city is not attracting new residents at the same rate.
While I do not believe that liberals intentionally create poor communities, it is hard to overlook the fact that specific liberal policies can have unintended adverse effects on low-income neighborhoods. Cumberland County liberals often take pride in being a "blue" Democratic-leaning County, with Democrats typically holding the majority of elected offices. However, it is apparent to any observer that the conservative neighbors of Cumberland are achieving better results for their citizens. Although poverty affects people across political party lines, liberals and conservatives have different approaches to tackling this issue.
Last year, voters in Cumberland County elected three new members to the Board of Commissioners: Henry Tyson, Pavan Patel, and Kirk deViere, who was later elected chairman. To say they hit the ground running would be an understatement. This new leadership is dedicated to improving the county's Tier 1 status. However, to seal the deal, Fayetteville voters must also choose visionary leaders this fall. It's time to look beyond party lines and focus on prosperity.

(Photo courtesy of Flickr)

The horses have left the barn

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Tuesday, 08 July 2025

Written by Margaret Dickson

Years ago, I sat in on a briefing by internationally acclaimed demographer James Johnson of the Kenan Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.
Dr. Johnson had been asked to address the largest class of freshman legislators in anyone’s living memory—budding lawmakers who might or might not have a grasp of North Carolina history and culture. It was clear that background information was definitely in order before those folks got to Raleigh and started enacting laws.
Johnson’s talk was entitled the “Graying and Browning of North Carolina,” and it was delivered to an audience with an average age well above 50 and some quite a bit beyond that milestone. The youngest was a 27-year-old fellow who had somehow managed to get himself elected just two years beyond eligibility and who stood out like someone’s lost grandson.
By “graying and browning,” Johnson was referring to an aging population and one that was becoming much more diverse than it was during the 20th century.
As Johnson flipped through his charts about the earliest settlers—Native Americans, of course, followed by English, then Scottish immigrants, and eventually the rainbow we see today, one newly minted legislator became increasingly agitated. He was a man of a certain age, with a decidedly conservative bent, and he did not like what the demographer was saying about the increasing age and diversity in our state.
Unable to contain himself a second longer, the man shouted, “I don’t believe that!”
Johnson stopped talking, acknowledged the legislator-elect’s comment, and then continued with his charts and lecture. Several minutes later, the man yelled again, and Johnson’s annoyance was clear. The briefing continued with the audience listening intently until the man stood, and for a third time shouted, “I just don’t believe that” and stomped out of the auditorium.
I will get back to that story, but in the meantime, the demographic changes Johnson referenced 2 decades ago are proving true.
Updates to 2020 US Census data reveal that those trends continue. Although Baby Boomers, Americans born after World War II between 1946 and 1964, are impacting the aging trend, younger people, primarily Asian and Hispanic, are slowing the aging trend a bit.
Nevertheless, the number of senior citizens—those 65 and older—has grown 15 percent since 2020, with 56 of our 100 counties now having more residents 65 and older than residents under 18. The fastest growing age group since 2020 is people between 75 and 79 at almost 29 percent, followed by those 80 to 84. Brunswick County, overflowing with retirees, has the highest median age at 57, while Onslow County, bursting with Marines, has the lowest at 28. Our state’s median age is now 39.
While North Carolina’s graying is accelerating, so is our browning. Data finds that Hispanic and Asian residents, defined as people with origins stretching from Korea to Pakistan, now make up 16 percent of our population or 1.7 million people, up from a mere 6 percent in 2020. Cumberland’s neighboring, highly agricultural counties, Duplin and Sampson, have the highest concentration of Hispanic residents at 24%.
At the same time, white non-Hispanic North Carolinians have dropped from 70-percent of our population to slightly less than 60 percent. African American residents have also decreased, but by a significantly smaller percentage, down from 21 percent to 20 percent.
All of this is a lot of numbers. It is also a lot of change.
But back to Dr. Johnson and his charts.
After the disbelieving soon-to-be legislator huffed out of the room, Johnson turned to the audience, mostly newly electeds with graying hair and expanding wrinkles, and said, “Look to your left.” We did. Then “look to your right.” We did.
“Are any of you people going home tonight to have a baby?”
Point made.
Those horses left the barn a generation ago.