We heard that the transfer portal opening would ruin the sport, that the NIL rights would turn the NCAA into a pro league with free agency, and that the kids were getting paid. It won't be as bad if it does happen.

We may have been wrong in saying that, but the detractors made some fair points. If his NIL wasn't raised, the Miami Hurricanes guard would enter the transfer portal.

Florida does not allow schools to be directly involved in the regulation of laws. The law is specific.

“A postsecondary educational institution, an entity whose purpose includes supporting or benefitting the institution or its athletic programs, or an officer, director, or employee of such institution or entity may not compensate or cause compensation to be directed to a current or prospective intercollegiate athlete for her or his name, image, or likeness.”

It's not clear how Wong thought The U. would do anything about his situation without breaking the law. The transfer threat isn't directed toward anyone in particular, but Wong sees other players getting great deals and sponsorships through NIL and wants his own income to reflect his performance in the Elite Eight.

The statement appears to be directed towards John Ruiz, who has signed over 100 NIL deals with Miami student-athletes. Wong is upset that a transfer coming in from Kansas State is getting more in a deal than his contract gives him. Why put the numbers out there?

The situation is more about the NCAA and the U.S. government's incompetence in navigating regulations on NIL. Rather than building a solid structure and a base set of national rules, they threw a bunch of 18- and 19-year-olds in head first. Wong believes that this is a pay-to-play structure and not a free-market deal with a non-affiliated individual, which is why he and Miami are stuck in this situation.

NIL deals have been used as recruiting tools. The players you think of when you think of success in the field are C.J. Stroud, C.J. Young, and Caleb Williams. A lot of things other than talent and leadership are included. It was always going to work that way because of the lack of regulations coming from the NCAA.