Allow me to paint you a picture.
Every single one of these student-athletes is getting a free education. How many of the normal students come out of 4 years of college with zero debt? Not many.
Not to mention, these student-athletes are given top-notch access to facilities, athletic training, doctors, nutritionists, full meal plans plus catered meals on the road/during summer months, not to mention the publicity they receive from the school to help grow their brand.
I am all for allowing these student-athletes to make money legitimately. If they can market themselves and have a following, let them enter deals to sell merchandise, make profit, hold camps and clinics in their home towns and college towns to generate revenue. Post on social media to be a brand ambassador. All of that is what NIL was meant to be,
What it WASN’T meant to be and what it has turned into is pay for play. Collectives are a work around and a loophole for what the NIL opportunities were meant to be about. Add to that the free agency that the transfer portal has created, and there is little to no brand identity that goes along with these student-athletes and fans. And ultimately, it will slowly degenerate into a product that just isn’t watchable. It’s worse than the NBA or any professional league due to the freedom of movement. Four schools in four years is going to become common place. All of these mid majors are going to be pilfered every year. It is going to create burnout for staff members, coaches, etc., who most make enough money but many at lower levels do not. It’s ridiculous.
