Q: Virginia politicians intervened when the ACC raided the Big East and got Virginia Tech in (I wasn’t necessarily opposed to that). What are the chances that will happen again, particularly given the astonishing amount of money Tech is committing
A: Mark Warner had a wedge to use in 2003 that I don’t see existing now.
In 2003, the ACC was still at nine schools, and to expand, the league’s bylaws required a three-fourths majority vote, so, seven out of nine.
Duke and UNC were opposed to expansion.
Warner used that leverage to force the ACC to go with Tech in the place of Syracuse, who would eventually be added later.
With whatever happens next, I’ll assume everybody is on their own.
Q: I don’t think any of the other public colleges and universities in Virginia are currently in a position to make any particularly big leaps in this new athletics era. Do you have any opinion on this?
A: I don’t see any other Virginia schools able to make leaps in the new era.
UVA is uniquely positioned, because of its ability to tap into a deep and obscenely wealthy donor base.
Q: What can you tell me about the contract that someone receiving NIL money is required to sign? My understanding is that if they transfer before graduation, they have to repay all NIL money received. Is that correct?
A: I haven’t seen any actual NIL contracts, so I can’t speak with any certainty on that.
I would say, it could be something that varies from contract to contract.
I don’t think – emphasis: think (!) – that there is any hard and fast rule from the NCAA on this; nor am I aware of any state law that would require repayment.
Q: I’ve enjoyed your article articles, but I have read you for the last time. You’re clearly a liberal Democrat who hates Republicans with your term MAGA. So, bye. I hope you continue to write great articles.
A: The term MAGA – which, incidentally, is not mine; Donald Trump coined the term, and makes a lot of money from putting it on merch – is the straw?
Wow.
I’m a liberal Democrat who hates what this country is becoming, you have that right.
I advocate for universal healthcare, because it only makes sense to me that everybody should have access to the same level of healthcare that the 1 percent does.
I advocate for civil rights for all because, again, only makes sense to me, that it shouldn’t just be a privileged few who get to enjoy the fruits.
I hate that millions of people vote for politicians who use fake culture war topics to mask the transfer of the wealth of this country from the 99 percent to the 1 percent.
My work is to highlight that, and get people to see that they’re not doing themselves any good.
Sorry to lose you, but I’m not sorry for who I am, what I believe, or how I advocate.
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Chris Graham
