Wisconsin chancellor sees intersection of transfer portal, NIL as 'challenge' (2024)

The timing of Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin's yearly appearance in front of the University of Wisconsin Athletic Board left the intersection of the transfer portal and name, image and likeness deals as a central theme.

Questions about Wisconsin's ability to retain players with NIL deals came up during Mnookin's 35-minute discussion with the board on Friday in the wake of those actions.

Mnookin took a big-picture approach, saying the Varsity Collective that supports NIL deals for Badgers athletes "is trying to do a good job here and to go about this in strong ways."

"I think some of the challenges are that, across the country, NIL is not necessarily operating in the way that it was initially envisioned," Mnookin said. "The relationship between name, image and likeness — narrowly perceived — and some of the NIL deals that you read about is not always totally linked. I think that's a meaningful challenge."

Mnookin started as UW-Madison's chancellor in 2022, a year after NCAA rules relaxed to allow players to profit from their name, image and likeness with marketing deals. The elimination of a one-year penalty for transfers in high-profile NCAA sports also came in 2021 and it recently changed to allow unlimited transfers.

The combination of factors has drawn concerns from athletic and academic administrators. The NCAA didn't want schools to use NIL deals to lure players but the governing body isn't able to prohibit it under a preliminary injunction.

"While I am a very strong advocate of athletes' ability to receive compensation for name, image and likeness, I do think that parts of how NIL is operating in the broader landscape are messier than that," Mnookin said. "And the combination of the way that's playing out and the transfer portal is a challenge."

Mnookin was blunt on the volume of players looking for new schools or new deals in the transfer portal: "If you were designing a system, you would not design it the way our current system is," she said.

"It would be unwise to have a lot of confidence on Congress coming together to do much of anything in any realm," Mnookin said. "And so it's hard to have confidence that athletics will be an exception."

UW-Madison chancellor wants Badgers to keep values in mind

Mnookin said college athletics is in a time of change and uncertainty but Wisconsin needs to hold onto its values within the athletic department.

She said she wants athletes to feel supported. She wants the athletic department to have strong oversight and compliance with NCAA rules. She wants to strengthen relationships with the community and continue inclusion efforts.

A sound fiscal approach is imperative, she said, and Badgers athletes need to have adequate facilities.

"We have to be looking ahead," Mnookin said. "There's a lot of uncertainty right now in many dimensions of the structures surrounding college athletics. Goodness knows I don't have all the answers; neither do any of you. If you think you do, whatever you think will probably turn out to be partly wrong, right?

"So being able to be both thoughtful about opportunities and to have the ability to change and chart new directions but also to have some of the values that I was just describing feels like it's going to be important in years to come."

Criticism of athletes rankles Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin

The online criticism of college athletes has apparently touched a nerve with Mnookin.

"Social media can get a little mean a little fast," she said. "I could do without that. Let's remember that our players are young people and students. I think it would be a better world if there was a little bit more kindness there. But that's not a UW-Madison or Wisconsin challenge. That's a big, national challenge that we're not immune from."

Some results have been heartbreaking

Mnookin said she hadn't seen much volleyball before she became Wisconsin's chancellor but now she's "hooked."

"I was delighted we made it to March Madness," Mnookin said. "I can't say that being at that game was my most favorite athletic experience here at Wisconsin. But it was great to see the ups of that team along with some moments that weren't as thrilling."

"That was a heartbreaking end of the game but what a season," Mnookin said. "They have so much to be proud of and there's so much to celebrate there."