Georgia Southern to throw concert as NIL fundraiser

There are many, many problems with the current economy in college football, but among them is this: the system asks its core customers to pay for something they previously got for free.

I'll explain what I mean by that. Every school in the country asks its most devoted fans for money, but those donations not only funded the athletics department, but they contributed to talent acquisition and retention through indirect means -- by paying for the best coaches and building the most impressive facilities that money could buy. At least, that's how it was supposed to go in theory.

Today, though, fans are still asked to donate directly to the athletics department, but they're also bankroll talent acquisition and retention. If recruits commit elsewhere or current players transfer, it's suddenly become the fans' fault. 

"Because if you're not going to help us get the players to beat them, then you are not entitled to b---h when we don't beat them," UConn head coach Jim Mora told fans last month.

NCAA president Charlie Baker offered a solution last week, but that doesn't change the immediate problem: teams can't compete if fans don't fund their NIL operation, but people generally don't like giving money away without getting something in return.

Georgia Southern is planning to give its fans something in return.

Eagle Nation Collective announced GATA Jam 2024 on Monday, a concert that will raise money for the Eagles' NIL efforts. 

Cole Swindell "and friends" will perform, and a "portion" of proceeds will go to the Collective.

The 2015 ACM New Artist of the Year is an Eagle himself (as is Luke Bryan [eyes emoji]). Swindell returned to Statesboro to play a show last year, and now next year he'll play another show with the express purpose of putting players in Eagles uniforms.

As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.