NIL In College Football

For a long time, college athletes were not allowed to earn money from their performance or popularity, both on and off the field. Over the years, however, these athletes have gained national recognition, with fans across the country buying their jerseys and merchandise associated with their name, yet the athletes received none of the profits. I believe college athletes deserve to be compensated for the value they bring through their name, image, and likeness, and that the NIL era has positively impacted college football.

Athletes should benefit from the revenue they help generate. Take, for example, Johnny Manziel, who was the face of Texas A&M when the school was ranked among the top five teams in the nation. It’s estimated that Manziel brought in tens of millions of dollars to the university through ticket sales, donations, jersey sales, and more. Despite his impact, he wasn’t legally allowed to receive any of that money. Out of frustration, he resorted to doing under-the-table autograph deals, which eventually got him into trouble.

Critics of NIL today are often the same people who, just a few years ago, were arguing that it was unfair for college athletes not to get paid. NIL has brought new energy to college football by leveling the playing field. Athletes no longer have to choose schools based solely on football success, they can now factor in opportunities to grow their personal brand. This shift has allowed smaller or less traditional programs to compete for top talent, creating more balanced recruiting and more exciting, unpredictable matchups across the country.

In conclusion, NIL has improved the experience for both college football players and fans. While some argue it has changed the spirit of college football, I believe it has added fairness, increased parity, and made the sport even more thrilling to watch. NIL has been a positive change for college football.