Dusty May and his decision to leave Michigan for the NBA shocked much of the college basketball world, but the university’s leadership believes the current state of college athletics played a major role in his departure.
Michigan interim president Domenico Grasso revealed that May’s frustrations with the transfer portal and NIL environment were among the reasons he left Ann Arbor for the Dallas Mavericks, speaking during a June 25 regents meeting.
“Our current system is in dire need of clarity and equitable reform,” Grasso said. “Coach May told me that among his reasons for leaving were uncertainties and pressures involving the transfer portal and NIL support for student-athletes.
“He and I agree that the future of college sports is headed in the wrong direction.”
May’s departure came despite leading Michigan to the 2026 national championship in only his second season with the program. The two sides had reportedly agreed to most of the terms of a new contract, although the deal was never officially signed.
Instead, May accepted the Mavericks’ head coaching job, where he will coach reigning Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg as well as former Michigan player Morez Johnson Jr., who was selected with the ninth pick in this week’s NBA Draft.
Grasso also addressed the proposed Protect College Sports Act currently making its way through Congress. While he believes portions of the legislation could bring much-needed stability to college athletics, he also expressed serious concerns about several provisions.
“Rather than looking to conferences such as the Big Ten as models of athletic and academic excellence, it imposes restrictions that disproportionately affect the institution,” Grasso said. “Among the most troubling provisions are targeted limits on conference expansion and realignment, as well as harmful restrictions on student athletes’ ability to benefit from additional NIL opportunities. These measures will reduce universities and conferences’ flexibility to adapt to changing conditions for student innovative opportunities.”
While May said leaving Michigan “wasn’t an easy decision,” the comments from the university’s president suggest his move to the NBA may have been about far more than basketball.