Morgantown, West Virginia – West Virginia landed its starting center today in Syracuse transfer Jesse Edwards. Edwards, a native of Amsterdam, Netherlands, said that he chose the Mountaineers because he wanted a new challenge, that he met great people during his visit to Morgantown and that he enjoyed the beautiful campus.
However, it appears that an NIL deal was also a major part of his decision. According to Fantasy Points’ Brian Drake, Edwards received a massive deal to play for the Mountaineers.
Brent Axe, a contributor for Syracuse.com, wondered on his social media account how “West Virginia found a way around the Visa issue” which makes it impossible for international players like Edwards to make the same kind of money that American student-athletes make. Brian Drake replied, “I was told Wednesday about this deal. Source said the deal was worked out in Toronto for 800K. Syracuse’s offer was half that.”
Drake went on to speculate that doing the deal in another country (Canada) was another loophole around the current rules.
If true, West Virginia being willing to pay $800,000 for one season shows a real willingness to compete with the big boys and pursue a national championship.
I was told Wednesday about this deal. Source said the deal was worked out in Toronto for 800k. Cuse offer was half that.
Doing the deal in another country is the loophole? Possibly.
— Brian Drake (@DrakeFantasy) April 16, 2023
