One of the best solutions for college athletics — without major legislation in Washington or court room drama — would be to implement multi-year contracts.

This would go beyond the scholarship obligation, and it would be a two-year deal (or longer) between coach and athlete that covers the development plan as well as payments (revenue sharing and NIL opportunities) so that all of the numbers are explained on paper. Deals in theory would bring an athlete to a school, ensuring that both have a vested interest in the player's development and show how he can help the program.

"In my opinion, I would love all these guys on multi-year contracts," FSU men's basketball coach Luke Loucks said in May. "It shows a level of investment on both sides of they want to be here, and we want them here, and it does create a level of 'you got to evaluate correctly' if you're going to put guys on multi-year deals, which I actually like that stress. You don't just sign guys to sign guys. You got to sign guys that you want to build with and grow with and develop."

Loucks said five Seminoles on the 2026-27 basketball roster have multi-year deals, which should help with stability as he begins his second season and builds toward the future. It’s not clear how many FSU football players or athletes in other sports are on multi-year deals.

The transfer portal needs some limitations. The intention never was to allow a football or basketball athlete to attend four colleges in four seasons, but we are seeing instances like that. The lack of continuity isn't good in an athlete's formative years, whether we're weighing academics, athletics or strength and conditioning.

"Certainly when you have a longer-term deal, there is a better chance to retain the player," John Garrett, FSU's football general manager, said in January. "And then there’s terms in there that can prevent him from going and then others not as severe. It’s certainly a way to predict roster management in the future after each semester. That is one tool, to be able to retain."

There are academic provisions in place — a student must show incremental progress toward a degree at 25 percent, 50 percent and 75 percent before moving to the next college. But the challenges of credits and how they transfer as well as ensuring an athlete is on track to graduate should be part of the discussion when considering the long term: That an athlete after the age of 23 or 25 needs a foundation for a career and life.

What do the long-term relationships look like with teammates and coaches when an athlete's playing days are over? And who ensures an athlete will graduate when he is bouncing from school to school while seeking more playing time or a bigger payday.

Loucks and the FSU men's basketball staff are in an interesting position. They haven't placed a Seminole off the 2025-26 roster in pro basketball yet, but the staff has a reputation of developing college and NBA talent. They can identify prospects that fit their system, recruit them and map out a short- and long-term plan for their first and second years on campus. And potentially years three or four, too.

FSU didn't have much stability as the transition from year 1 to year 2 unfolded. That was not by design. Loucks knew they would lose the transfers with just a single year of eligibility remaining. But he also made it a goal to retain rotational players like Thomas Bassong, Martin Somerville and Cam Miles. Bassong made his commitment to return but never signed his contract and eventually landed at Mississippi State, while Somerville (West Virginia) and Miles (UNLV) also transferred.

Over the long haul, it makes sense for Loucks to have younger players under a multi-year deal. Fans would be happy to see the year-to-year continuity, too. The only way the contracts truly work is if there are strict buyouts with money paid to FSU if another coach and program grab one of the Seminoles' mid-contract.

We could argue at minimum a two-year contract at the beginning of college helps an athlete see how they develop academically and athletically. If an athlete feels they're on the right track, they can sign again with that school. Or transfer.

Coaches need roster stability. Fans crave it, too. Where many fans are losing their enthusiasm is when they lose the feeling connection to an athlete, one that has built through a career, only to watch them move away via transfer.

What's the downside of a multi-year deal?

"On the flip side, it's tough when you miss (an evaluation) because now there's buyouts," Loucks said. "And the other thing, as this whole picture and landscape evolves, how many of those contracts will actually hold as the thing continues - and all these are conversations we've had with our legal teams on our side, with the lawyers and the agents on the players' side."

The positives seem to outweigh the negatives and would benefit the player, coach, fan and program.

"I think there's an understanding that this is great for both of us, if we sign up for multiple years, because it puts an onus on us to develop you, and it puts some stress on you to actually perform," Loucks said. "And I think those two things go hand in hand to winning."

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