by Andrew Fenner ‘27

In July of 2021, the NCAA enacted a policy allowing college athletes to profit off their name, image, and likeness, known as NIL. NIL deals have become a substantial part of collegiate athletics, with the best college athletes making more money in a season or two than the top-earning careers in America. Notable athletes who receive absurd NIL packages include Duke Basketball star Cooper Flagg with $4.8 million and Texas quarterback Arch Manning with $6.6 million.

It’s great that athletes can see some of the money that their talents can generate. But at a certain point, it becomes excessive. Collegiate recruiting has changed significantly, with money through NIL deals becoming a large part of deciding where to go to school. Some states have legislation that restricts NIL, though in the states where there is no current legislation, it falls upon the universities to make their own rules. When choosing where to go to school, it has become less about playing for a school that’s a good fit and more about how much money athletes can make. NIL deals need to have widespread federal regulations that stop schools from “buying” recruits through their NIL opportunities, so that NIL is less of a recruitment tool and more of a way for athletes to earn some extra money to support themselves.