Three things from this week
The NCAA e-mailed us back, Devonte' "drip lord" Graham and more
Dtae with a whole mood right here
If you’ve read this newsletter at least once, you’ve likely detected that I’ll use it to raise awareness about causes far outside the world of Jayhawk basketball. And right now, there are so many that need the help of other humans to get through this unprecedented quarantine.
I’ve spent some time recently volunteering with the local mutual aid group Bed Stuy Strong. I’ve definitely mentioned them a few times on Streak Talk, and I think what they are doing is what is really needed right now. A big part of their messaging is “Solidarity, not charity” and I think that’s such a cool and resonant way to frame the current challenge. If readers could spend some time thinking about what they could do in their areas to create meaningful connection in a really tough time for vulnerable citizens, I’d be very grateful for that.
[Turns off mic] Now it’s time for the Jayhawk stuff. Here’s three things from this week that might be worth your attention:
KU is slashing season ticket prices substantially
We knew this was coming, but since it’s the Williams Fund and their motto has always been something akin to “how about the money now, instead?”, KU has released their ticketing chart for next year’s season tickets. Most notable is the inclusion of an option starting as low as $500-a-seat, $475-a-seat lower than last year’s lowest tier.
I am of the view that live sports with fans in full attendance won’t be coming back this year, and maybe not next year, either. This is something the major stake-holders in sports are certainly sweating over. But since KU sells their season tickets far in advance every season, I see this as more of a gut-check than a full-blown panic. I’m watching what the response might be closely.
While we’re on the subject of collegiate sports tickets… can we get rid of this contingency-based-donation stuff, once and for all? To purchase season tickets, you need to make a donation to the Williams Educational Fund, the athletic department’s fundraising arm. The minimum donation is now $100. You have to pay for the right to pay. The NFL does this and calls it a “Personal Seat License” and they do it just because they can.
I think most sensible Jayhawk fans are going to wait this one out and see what life looks like in the fall, but c’mon. There’s an opportunity here to get ahead of the times. I know Jeff Long won’t take it but maybe someone else will.
Disclaimer—here’s me anytime KU calls me asking for money:
The NCAA’s notice of allegations response is here
Ah yes, the ol’ NCAA saga. It feels like roughly one million years ago when this first arose, yeah?
Anyway, when KU got slapped with the notice of allegations last fall, they had until March 5 to respond. Since KU’s strategy has always been to drag this out as long as possible at the administrative level, they sent their initial response on that exact day. Now, the NCAA has responded back with their rebuttal, which you can read the entirety of here.
KU has already responded to the document:
The NCAA enforcement staff’s reply does not in any way change the University of Kansas’ position that the allegations brought against our men’s basketball program are simply baseless and littered with false representations. As the federal trial proved, adidas employees intentionally concealed impermissible payments from the University and its coaching staff. The University has never denied these impermissible payments were made. For the NCAA enforcement staff to allege that the University should be held responsible for these payments is a distortion of the facts and a gross misapplication of NCAA Bylaws and case precedent. In addition, the enforcement staff’s assertion that KU refuses to accept responsibility is wrong. The University absolutely would accept responsibility if it believed that violations had occurred, as we have demonstrated with other self-reported infractions. Chancellor Girod, Jeff Long and KU stand firmly behind Coach Self, his staff and our men’s basketball program, as well as our robust compliance program.
The issue between the parties appears to be who should absorb the responsibility, a determination that will probably not be resolved in what amounts to a stern e-mail chain. KU will try and kick this down the road. But the NCAA isn’t going to leave this case empty-handed and they want to show off their fancy new tribunal.
If you’re KU, do you play the long game, dragging this case out as long as possible, hoping that the NCAA will either relent (or maybe collapse entirely)? Or do you take an acceptable (read: no postseason ban) punishment and move on? The calculus on that decision will change in the coming months/years. But KU will buy (literally) as much time as possible.
Devonte’ Graham, young prince of the drip?
Devonte’s socials are great and his sophomore season breakout speaks for itself. But something he might not get enough credit for yet is his style. He’s a regular on Slam’s great outfit chronicle @LeagueFits, a space usually reserved for the league’s biggest stars or most deranged hypebeasts. That Graham is neither is a testament to his general level of iceiness.
Something I’m interested in—brand Jordan is the apparel outfitter for the Charlotte Hornets, since MJ owns the team. They’re the only NBA team with that arrangement, and on social media it would appear that most Hornets are gifted the latest release Jordan gear before it hits the streets.
For years, Jordan brand creative has lagged far behind Nike’s, who own and operate Jordan. With fresh endorsement deals for Luka Doncic and Zion Williamson, the league’s two most exciting very-young players, the brand is poised to rise in profile. Will Devonte’ be part of that story?
I’m torn on the Dior Jordans (the sticker is $2000… okay?) but you can’t deny that Devonte’ elevates them here. I’m curious to see how the charismatic second-rounder could be bundled with the brand’s other big stars. He’s done this much on his own. How far can Devonte’s star rise, off-the-court? Knowing Devonte’s story, it’s very fun and life-affirming to think about that question.