Episode 6: Kelly Comarda • Here's How Business & CFB Intersect

To kick off Season 2 of Moneyballers, Kelly Comarda discusses his transition as a "volunteer" at the collective to a full-time position as Director of Roster Management at Tulane. He explains the unique structure of the team, the challenges faced by G5 schools, and the importance of being aggressive in NIL and recruitment strategies. Kelly discusses the need for a competitive compensation package that goes beyond just financial incentives, insights on the role of agents in college sports, and the importance of empathy in understanding the recruiting process for student-athletes.

Our Takeaways:

• We have to do more with less at the G5 level.

• Aggression in NIL can mean being competitive in all aspects--not just sheer amount of money.
• "Compensation packages" can include quality playing time, because that "pays off".
• Agents can significantly impact a player's career trajectory, good and bad.

00:00 Introduction to Kelly Comarda and His Journey

02:31 The Structure of the Team and Roles

04:44 Aggression in Recruitment and Compensation

07:18 Building a Competitive Edge at Tulane

09:55 Navigating the Agent Landscape

12:22 Balancing Work and Family Life

17:05 Conclusion and Future Outlook