By Mark Pszonak
During the last two years, the transfer portal went from being open 365 days a year to only having two limited windows during the winter and spring. Recently there has been discussion about only having one window, which at least one Big Ten head coach agrees with:
"I don't understand why we have two transfer portals..
Basketball has one and football has two..
Let's just do it once a year" ~ @CoachMattRhule #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/5D7ykCeqEA
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) February 27, 2025
Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule had plenty to say during his time on the Pat McAfee Show regarding the transfer portal.
“Basketball has one portal window. So why would basketball have one and we have two?” Rhule said. “How many people leave in April and have a lot of success two months later? Like, I literally could, if I wanted to, I could say, ‘Who am I playing Week 1?’ And see who goes in the portal for them, take them and then know what they’re going to do against us. But I’m with you, whatever is best for the student athlete, but I think we should pick one. I don’t want to negotiate a contract with a guy in December and then renegotiate again in April. Like, you sign up with us. You should sign up for the year. Coaches sign up for the year. And so, let’s do once a year.”
Coach Rhule makes some valid points, especially when it comes to renegotiating contracts twice a year. But that is also what happens where there are no universal NIL rules and regulations. This is the outcome when it becomes the Wild West, which it currently is.
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However, for anyone who thinks that the current structure is chaotic, wait until it gets crammed into one limited window. The same amount of players will still enter the portal, but all in the same two or three week period. And when would this window be open? During bowl season, as it is currently scheduled, is not the correct solution, so when would it be moved?
The process needs plenty of help, but figuring out a reasonable solution is the problem. And I’m not sure one actually exists at this point.
