So I posted this over on Haas in another thread but I figured it would be buried and it is a bit of a new topic (plus appeals to my interest in sports economics).

Does anyone have visibility (donor groups, calls with coaches, maybe direct working with an athlete) how the information issues in this market actually work? Consider the contrast with professional sports. There are numerous mechanisms that make relatively transparent what the "market" is for X. The specific deals are sometimes actually negotiated in the press.

But right now we have at best "rumors" from "insiders" about what is or isn't being offered. I am not doubting them but I am doubting (because of incentives) that they are getting the straight scoop from agents. The coaches/GMs are unlikely getting good information from fellow coaches because that would be stupid to share (it is a great example of a mixed motive game). When someone says that X, for example, is "getting" >2 million a year how is that even known. As an agent I have EVERY reason to inflate that . If a school I have every incentive to neither confirm or deny. And as a player I have every reason to inflate. It is a classic situation of information asymmetries

A person is only as good as their word. Once an agent/individual gives false information, they won't be trusted ever again. It's important to recognize and know who can be trusted, and who can't.

OK. _IF_ we believe that agents are reliable sources of information and IF most public reports are thus credible here is what sadly an internet gets us for the 2025-2026 roster payroll for MBB (3 different AI agents)

NC - 14 milllion
Duke - 9 million (plus multiples for "outside" deals taht would be in the "Olivia Dunn actually is worth 8 figures in endorsements - and so is Boozer)
Louisevill - 9 mllion
Virginia & Syracuse 8
SMU - 7
Maiam 6.5
MV 6
Clemson 5.5
Wake 5
Pitt 5
FSU &* nortre Dame 4.5
G Tech -4
Cal -3.5
BC 3.5
Furd - 3

That is the problem. It is unrealistic to believe this program is going to be competing for an NCAA berth with the 3rd lowest budget in the conference. Really a remarkable job by Madsen.