The hidden key that may have helped save WVU’s basketball season
WVU basketball fans have been through the proverbial wringer of late.
First, there was joy in Morgantown when a stellar portal class of players was put together. Analyst Jeff Goodman tabbed WVU the “biggest winner” of the portal back in May. Then came two gut punches and, finally, the knockout of former coach Bob Huggins. Then came the news the Mountaineer players had 30 days to transfer out because their coach was gone – and 30 days of stress for fans as they watched those players both leave and stay.
Much of it played out for all the world to see on social media. Tre Mitchell to Kentucky. Joe Toussaint to Texas Tech. Mo Wague and James Okonkwo to Alabama and North Carolina. (Just consider the quality of the class considering the quality of schools eager to take the players.)
There were waves after waves of bad news for WVU.
Yet, finally, the tide was stemmed.
RaeQuan Battle posted on Twitter, “Not going anywhere.” Kerr Krissa re-committed after entering the portal. On July 2, big man Jesse Edwards posted he was, “Goin’ Nowhere.” Finally, Jose Perez re-committed after flirting with Gonzaga, Oregon and Michigan, among others.
Of course, credit must be dished to interim coach Josh Eilert and staff. Likewise credit must be dished to Stephen Ford and his Country Roads Trust staff.
But it doesn’t seem enough people recognize a key part to all this, an ace up the sleeve, if you will.
Not only was Country Roads Trust strong enough financially, but within the realm of expertise — international Name, Image and Likeness expertise.
That expertise was key in keeping Arizona transfer Kriisa, who hails from Tartu, Estonia.
That expertise was key in keeping Syracuse transfer Edwards, who hails from Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Without those two, the waves would have critically pounded the WVU program. But Country Roads Trust has carved a niche dealing with international players.
“We are able to handle NIL with them without affecting the student athlete’s F-1 visa, which doesn’t allow them to be compensated in the United States,” said Ford. “We’ve figured out how they can go back to their home country and be compensated.”
If you’ve been following along, you know Country Roads Trust isn’t only transparent, but strict rules followers in what seems like the wild, wild NIL west.
“Three things,” Ford said. “One, an athlete has to sign the deal on their home soil. Two, he or she has to complete the deliverables on their home soil. And, three, they have to be paid in their home country bank account so they can pay their taxes there.”
Country Roads Trust handled Kriisa and Edwards incredibly well. Kriisa promoted the collective’s Million Dollar May fundraising drive from Estonia: https://twitter.com/KerrKriisa/status/1663569496425000960?s=20
Edwards likewise did so and then yesterday starred in an amazing video from Amsterdam that caught the attention of people across college basketball:
https://twitter.com/jesseedwards_14/status/1683605120548782082?s=20
“The work wasn’t done in the states,” Ford said. “So they are free and clear of any visa issues. It doesn’t affect the F-1 student visa status.”
Ford admitted his group was going to hold the latest Edwards video until closer to the basketball season but wanted to change the narrative that’s dogged the WVU program of late.
“Things were trending so badly,” Ford said. “But now we’re back to positive, obviously with the help of the coaching staff.”
The success has grabbed media attention. Ford said On3.com, which is a major resource for all things NIL, has contacted him for a story.
“We have a template to work with international students — if the laws don’t change — so West Virginia is an appealing place to go to school,” Ford said. “We spent weeks trying to get this figured out and how it’s supposed to be done.”
Ford said he leaned on Bowles Rice LLP for international law question. Other collectives around the country then started calling.
“Everybody had questions,” Ford said. “What are you doing differently? How are you doing this? It’s not rocket science. We leaned on the law firm and followed their advice as well as outside council regarding immigration law. And it’s working.”
Indeed, it was the ace that may have saved the season for WVU.
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Mitch Vingle covered sports in West Virginia for 38 years. Follow Mitch on Twitter at @MitchVingle and be sure to check out the rest of Wheelhouse Creative’s website for your marketing and advertising needs. If interested, call us at 304-905-6005.
