Happy Birthday Mike Repole
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SeattleJohnny
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Super donor Mike Repole talks St. John’s ‘magical’ resurgence, national NIL landscape: ‘It’s either evolve or die’
Super donor Mike Repole talks St. John’s resurgence, NIL landscape: ‘Evolve or die’
www.nj.com
some big quotes:
“It just says that when you hire an amazing coach, legendary icon, and [unite him with] St John’s and their incredible history of basketball and the university and New York City and Madison Square Garden, this is what you get,” Repole said.
“And it’s only the beginning right now and and it’s a feeling I haven’t had in 25 years. I mean, it’s electric. I moved out of New York five, six years ago. And [Wednesday], it felt nostalgic. To fly up with my childhood friends, we started going there when I was 14-15 years old in ‘85 and watching from the blue seats in Madison Square Garden. There aren’t any more blue seats in the Garden. And we started watching [Chris] Mullin and Pearl Washington and Patrick Ewing and Ed Pinckney compete...It was a magical, magical feel and a magical night.”
Even though Pitino has said RJ Luis will be among about half a dozen players who leave after this season, Repole believes St. John’s will continue to build fans and compete for sellouts at the Garden.
“Next year, I think it doesn’t matter who St John’s plays in Madison Square Garden, it will be the toughest ticket in town to get,” he said. “It doesn’t matter who they play. They could be playing a Division 2 team. I think they’re gonna sell out that arena every time.”
Repole even encouraged the 6-foot-7 Luis to consider returning next season to contend for Big East and National Player of the Year awards.
“He could come back next year and and be All-American..and maybe compete for Player of the Year,” he said. “And, you know, one more year under Rick, legendary coach, and his incredible staff.”
Yeah, let's see how much of Rick's comments about "half a dozen" guys leaving is Rickspeak or not. How much of it is trying to tell other programs they aren't available since they're going pro? How much of it is mind games? etc.
Luis has NBA potential and could be a better pro. But he can make more money with us next year and become a lottery pick if certain things transpire.
Learn to love the NIL era...
Sounds like Mike willing to up RJ NIL.Super donor Mike Repole talks St. John’s ‘magical’ resurgence, national NIL landscape: ‘It’s either evolve or die’
Super donor Mike Repole talks St. John’s resurgence, NIL landscape: ‘Evolve or die’
some big quotes:
“It just says that when you hire an amazing coach, legendary icon, and [unite him with] St John’s and their incredible history of basketball and the university and New York City and Madison Square Garden, this is what you get,” Repole said.
“And it’s only the beginning right now and and it’s a feeling I haven’t had in 25 years. I mean, it’s electric. I moved out of New York five, six years ago. And [Wednesday], it felt nostalgic. To fly up with my childhood friends, we started going there when I was 14-15 years old in ‘85 and watching from the blue seats in Madison Square Garden. There aren’t any more blue seats in the Garden. And we started watching [Chris] Mullin and Pearl Washington and Patrick Ewing and Ed Pinckney compete...It was a magical, magical feel and a magical night.”
Even though Pitino has said RJ Luis will be among about half a dozen players who leave after this season, Repole believes St. John’s will continue to build fans and compete for sellouts at the Garden.
“Next year, I think it doesn’t matter who St John’s plays in Madison Square Garden, it will be the toughest ticket in town to get,” he said. “It doesn’t matter who they play. They could be playing a Division 2 team. I think they’re gonna sell out that arena every time.”
Repole even encouraged the 6-foot-7 Luis to consider returning next season to contend for Big East and National Player of the Year awards.
“He could come back next year and and be All-American..and maybe compete for Player of the Year,” he said. “And, you know, one more year under Rick, legendary coach, and his incredible staff.”
Another quote:
“I’ve always loved business and sports. To me, the University is the business and the team is the sport....It’s almost like St. John’s is going to have an alumni pep really 15 times a year with 20,000 people [at the Garden].”
One thing I love about rooting for STJ is that its almost always an opportunity to hang out with college friends. He's absolutely right.
15 times a year...forget asking him to give money to renovate CA
“I’ve always loved business and sports. To me, the University is the business and the team is the sport....It’s almost like St. John’s is going to have an alumni pep really 15 times a year with 20,000 people [at the Garden].”
One thing I love about rooting for STJ is that its almost always an opportunity to hang out with college friends. He's absolutely right.
15 times a year...forget asking him to give money to renovate CA
SeattleJohnny
Well-known member
we don't deserve Repole and Pitino but THANK GOD we have them
Redenbacher
Well-known member
From the story:
"Repole, now a successful horse racing owner, accounts for more than 50% of St. John’s NIL money, sources said."
I knew he was our largest donor, but had no idea he accounted for that much. Wowza.
"Repole, now a successful horse racing owner, accounts for more than 50% of St. John’s NIL money, sources said."
I knew he was our largest donor, but had no idea he accounted for that much. Wowza.
That’s exactly how I read that… don’t think we’ll be outbid for him with that statement. Very encouraging
But nowhere near close to our largest donor. Likely Peter D'Angelo who is the major benefactor of two SJU buildings in addition to others.
Largest NIL backer, probably though. And funding player "sslaries" essential to our success.
Hopefully will fund a major chunk of new basketball facility but haven't heard anything in that regard.
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Mike Repole threw a massive tantrum over SJU passing on Bobby Hurley's salary demands while Repole in his own words dangled a never fulfilled $10 million donation to partially fund a then $20 million renovation of Carnesecca Arena.
While Repole $$ are critical to NIL budgets, the "respect" St John's is showing him is kneeling at the altar of gold, nothing more.
Here is Hurley's record at Arizona State since then, a putrid 93-80 overall including OOC patsies.
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The guy has an ego. But my take is, we need him, so do what you gotta do to stroke the ego, kiss the ring, etc in a responsible way. Seems like they are doing that right now which i appreciate.
carmineabbatiello
Well-known member
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carmineabbatiello
Well-known member
I like the enthusiasm but think again Mike. This isn't true.Super donor Mike Repole talks St. John’s ‘magical’ resurgence, national NIL landscape: ‘It’s either evolve or die’
Super donor Mike Repole talks St. John’s resurgence, NIL landscape: ‘Evolve or die’
“Next year, I think it doesn’t matter who St John’s plays in Madison Square Garden, it will be the toughest ticket in town to get,” he said. “It doesn’t matter who they play. They could be playing a Division 2 team. I think they’re gonna sell out that arena every time.”
Bringing a birthday cake to his courtside seat at the Garden a little too much I'd say. No question he has a tremendous capacity to donate. I can't comment on this season's NIL budget but last year his NIL support, while very healthy, was nowhere near 50% of the budget. Guessing it's mostly coming from NoBull anyway, which makes it deductible business expense.
Shanley and development can kiss Repole's a$$ but I can't forget how he publicly eviscerated Bobby and the board of trustees simply because they wouldn't hire his choice as coach.
Totally agree that he puts us over the top in terms of NIL capacity. I'm also sure they are heavily soliciting him for a major donation to the basketball training facility, which explains the birthday cake.
But superfan? No way - that title is reserved for the two thousand or so who stick with the team good or bad, year in year out.
Now, if he becomes our Finneran, and ponies up $100 million towards a new arena, or the $250 million Michael Bloomberg donated to Johns Hopkins, I'll join Shanley and be bake his next cake myself.
Beast - Understand your position. Just a question. If Repole never steps up with a big time $20, 50M etc. but consistently gives lets say $2-3M year for next 20 years or so to sponsor team in some way ( NIL, travel, perhaps NoBull sponsorship, maybe some small facility donation, help pay next head coach salary that he has input to with Pitino etc). is that direct & major support of bball team worth more to the University's overall success if the team stays a perennial Top 25 than perhaps a single academic building or scholarship fund?
My guess though...soon enough, his name will be on the practice facility and may even sponsor enough that there is also custom made floor for MSG games that says Repole Court @ MSG on gamedays.
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