Dana Altman: Roster Changes Cause Oregon Players’ NIL Earnings to Drop
Oregon men’s basketball coach Dana Altman addressed concerns regarding roster changes and the impact on player NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) earnings in a recent press conference. The Ducks have seen most of their roster enter the transfer portal, leading to compensations being reduced for some players.
Roster Changes Affect NIL Earnings
Altman stressed that the program is not underfunded and does not blame football for taking a significant share of financial resources. “We did not pull anybody’s scholarship. Everybody had their scholarship, and it would have been renewed,” he clarified, mentioning that budget constraints have caused some players to experience NIL reductions.
In the competitive landscape of college sports, football generates substantially more revenue, influencing how much funding is available for basketball. Consequently, the Oregon Ducks depend heavily on their NIL collective to fill financial gaps.
Key Player Departures
- Star point guard Jackson Shelstad
- Forward Kwame Evans Jr.
- Forward Sean Stewart
Despite Altman’s efforts to retain these key players, both Shelstad and Evans entered the transfer portal. Evans is considering schools closer to home while pursuing the NBA Draft process. Altman acknowledged that NIL factors play a role in these decisions.
Challenges in Rebuilding the Roster
The loss of contributors such as Ege Demir, Dezdrick Lindsay, and Wei Lin has intensified Altman’s challenges. With only two scholarship players remaining from the previous year, he faces the daunting task of rebuilding the team.
The current dead period restricts communication to Zoom calls, but it will soon end. Altman anticipates hosting several visitors in Eugene shortly, with a focus on bringing in experienced players given the team’s current situation.
Incoming Freshman Class
Altman is optimistic about an incoming class that includes:
- Kendre Harrison — a two-sport athlete practicing as a tight end with the football team
- Tajh Ariza — a forward
- Seven Spurlock — a guard
Altman recognizes that fresh talent will need time to adjust to the demands of the Big Ten. He expressed a mixture of excitement and apprehension regarding the influx of new players but remains committed to improving the program.
Looking Ahead
Despite the financial limitations, Altman takes responsibility for the team’s situation. “I didn’t do my job, alright?” he admitted. He aims to enhance the program and create a competitive roster moving forward.
As the Ducks prepare for a new season, Altman is focused on aligning resources effectively to ensure a successful turnaround.
