Penn State trustee, former All-American Brandon Short speaks out on NIL efforts: ‘Heartbreaking and embarrassing’

The fallout from Micah Shrewsberry’s departure and what it says about Penn State’s name, image and likeness (NIL) structure is far from over. It has become clear there’s an internal conflict at Penn State centered on NIL and the future of athletics.

That’s the way Brandon Short sees it.

Short — the former All-American linebacker, NFL veteran and current university trustee — is concerned with how Penn State is positioned. In a Thursday interview with PennLive, Short blamed Shrewsberry’s exit to Notre Dame on NIL failures.

“Losing Micah Shrewsberry, it was heartbreaking and embarrassing for another school to take our coach,” Short said. “I was extremely disappointed like a lot of others. A lot of people were really upset about that loss. I think we need to come together as a Penn State community and get behind athletics.”

Short mentioned that Penn State was near or at the bottom of the Big Ten men’s basketball in NIL support this past season. In a December interview with Blue White Illustrated, Shrewsberry estimated that the Nittany Lions ranked 13th or 14th in the 14-team league — adding that it was a reason why Penn State lacked in recruiting.

Shrewsberry, an Indiana native, left Penn State for Notre Dame two weeks ago after two seasons at the helm. Shrewsberry, who coached the Nittany Lions to their first NCAA tournament appearance since 2011, was replaced by VCU’s Mike Rhoades.

Rhoades is viewed as a good hire, especially considering Penn State’s financial commitment. Rhoades will be paid on average $3.4 million per year, significantly higher than what Shrewsberry and his predecessor, Pat Chambers, made.

But the overarching question of NIL infrastructure remains at Penn State.

“Penn State is well-positioned to do well in NIL because of our alumni base,” Short said. “You don’t necessarily have to be a whale or somebody who has a ton of money, though we’re appreciative of a lot of people who have donated who have money. But we have the strongest, most active alumni base in the world with 750,000 members. If each one of them gave $24 a year, $2 per month, we’d have the largest NIL collective in the country. There’s a ton of potential. But we haven’t reached that potential.”

Short cited political infighting from alumni-elected trustee members as a primary reason why that potential hasn’t been reached.

In the aftermath of Shrewsberry’s departure, that infighting became public. Joe Paterno’s son, Jay, who is also a trustee, used social media to defend Penn State’s NIL efforts and associate himself with Success With Honor, the Nittany Lions’ leading NIL collective. A collective, for the uninitiated, is a collection of boosters and donors that pools funds and creates NIL opportunities for athletes.

Prominent lettermen like Michael Mauti, who started a football-specific NIL collective called Lions Legacy Club, spoke out in response to Paterno.

Notably, Paterno voted against a Feb. 2021 resolution to commit $48.3 million to renovate Penn State football’s Lasch Building. The resolution passed, 27-6.

“I struggle with saying these things because I love Penn State. Joe Paterno and Penn State helped make me the man I am today. Whenever I think about speaking out, I think about what’s in the best interest of Penn State,” Short said. “But after we lost Micah due to NIL, I have a responsibility to speak out. For years, there’s been a group of alumni trustees who have been actively working to undermine our athletic department. They’ve been openly voting against athletic spending and, behind the scenes, blocking initiatives that would help move the athletic department forward. Those same alumni trustees have injected themselves into Success With Honor.

“Success With Honor has to be successful for Penn State to prosper. But I don’t see how that’s possible when you have the same alumni-elected trustees claiming to be the face of that organization, who are working to undermine our athletic department. Penn State needs to be aligned. Penn State can do anything if we are aligned. But we’re not there yet.”

How can Penn State get there? Short said a starting point would be Success With Honor “separating themselves from those who are trying to undermine” NIL efforts.

As far as university leadership is concerned, Short expressed his confidence in athletic director Pat Kraft and president Neeli Bendapudi.

“I think Pat has done a tremendous job,” the trustee added. “He has a linebacker mentality, which I can relate to. He’s passionate. He’s aggressive. He knows the business. And he’s been able to navigate through all of the challenges that he’s faced with select members of our board. I have full faith in Pat. I have full faith in president Neeli Bendapudi. They’ve been doing a great job.”

Under the guidance of Kraft, Bendapudi and James Franklin, Short believes in Penn State football’s trajectory as long as the NIL issues are cleared up. The former All-Big Ten linebacker is encouraged by the renovations that have already happened at the Lasch Building. And he’s excited to see how Penn State fares this fall.

Short can’t wait to watch quarterback Drew Allar. He thinks Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen could be the best running back duo in college football. And, of course, he’s eager to see Abdul Carter continue the Linebacker U legacy.

Short maintains his passion for Penn State. But he also knows the Nittany Lions can do better off the field. That’s why he felt the need to voice his opinions.

“I love the university, and it’s not just football,” Short said. “It’s the opportunity it brings people, the education and the alumni network and the extended family that I have through being a part of the Penn State community. And you didn’t have to be an All-American linebacker to feel the same way that I feel.”

‘Karli Short Better Tomorrow’

Short launched a foundation and scholarship fund, “Karli Short Better Tomorrow,” in honor of his daughter, Karli, who was 26 years old and pregnant when she was killed in a Sept. 2021 shooting in McKeesport.

Short, a McKeesport native, and his foundation strive to provide financial security to Penn State Greater Allegheny students affected by gun violence.

“Every day that passes, we continue to feel the pain,” Short said. “We’ve worked very hard to channel that energy into something positive. Being on Penn State’s board of trustees, I understand the importance of access and affordability and know that there are a lot of kids out there who can’t afford to go to school.”

Since its inception, “Karli Short Better Tomorrow” has endowed three scholarships and raised over $600,000. The foundation will hold its second annual fundraising gala on April 28 at the Omni William Penn in downtown Pittsburgh.

Former Penn State and NFL defensive lineman Anthony “Spice” Adams will emcee the event with scheduled appearances from former Nittany Lion stars Ki-Jana Carter, Shane Conlan and Adam Taliaferro, as well as Steelers great Joey Porter.

Ticket and auction information can be found at ksbettertomorrow.org.