A group of us clustered with bourbons and cigars around a warming pit on the back deck of Demo's last night. There were four of six from the starting linebacking corps for my junior and senior years represented. Bankers, lawyers, people involved in the professional athletic world, fathers of D1 and Olympic caliber athletes and a security guy ....
One guy says, "How much effing money did Dierre earn today?"
Wanting to appear smart, I said nothing but then nodded as it hit me, there are no signed contracts yet. Nothing says young Mr. Hill has to sign early in December with Oregon. He can wait until All-American teams are named and the Gatorade award is announced. Build on his already impressive pedigree.
"You know his phone is ringing off the hook already. Some Texas billionaire from A&M or UT will make a play. Maybe Portnoy wants to keep him out of the Big 10 if not at Michigan."
The kid already has LIFE-SETTING offers in hand. He can parley yesterday's performance into generational money. (He has smart advisors, I know that for a fact. And the BS about getting hurt, the kid is playing hoops too - but he skipped yesterday's game in Lincoln!)
And he has choices to make again.
As the title indicates, Phil Knight's money is huge, but you need oil to make and ship athletic shoes.
That is the reality of sport today.
