Chapter 1: Introduction to N.I.L in College Sports

Having participated in football from the age of seven until I turned twenty-two, my formative years in Silver Spring, Maryland—a suburban locale adjacent to Washington D.C.—exposed me to the financial intricacies that surround football and men’s basketball. I observed firsthand how these two sports garnered significant attention, influencing community dynamics and the financial choices of parents and school officials alike.

Listening to the N.I.L Roundtable discussion from March 14, 2024, prompted a flood of memories from my childhood. The hour-and-a-half conversation repeatedly highlighted that football and men’s basketball generate the most revenue for athletic departments, often serving as the financial backbone for other sports on campus. Strikingly, none of the student-athletes from these revenue-generating sports were included in this crucial dialogue.

This omission struck me as peculiar for several reasons. Notably, a large portion of participants in these sports are Black males, similar to my background. A recurring concern with N.I.L and the transfer portal is that not every school can meet the financial demands of these players. When players feel their financial or playing time expectations aren’t met, they often transfer. I share the frustration over this trend, but it is essential to consider the difficult circumstances many of these athletes come from—often poverty-stricken environments or broken homes. For many, sports like football and basketball represent a potential escape for themselves and their families. With only about 1% of athletes securing NFL or NBA contracts annually, it’s hard to argue against their desire to pursue the highest financial offers.

Therefore, it’s essential to incorporate perspectives from individuals with such experiences into these discussions. Turning to two student-athletes who participated in the forum, Hanna and Haley Caivender, we find a compelling example of how athletes can leverage Name, Image, and Likeness (N.I.L). These identical twins, raised in the Phoenix area, have set a remarkable standard for how all athletes can maximize their N.I.L opportunities. Before achieving notoriety through substantial social media followings and lucrative brand partnerships, they were nurtured in an entrepreneurial environment by their father, who owned a business.

The structured upbringing of the Caivender twins has significantly contributed to their success in N.I.L dealings. It’s also crucial to understand how N.I.L can be effectively utilized, particularly for "Non-Revenue Producing Sports." Athletes in football and men’s basketball often dream of playing professionally in leagues that publicly disclose substantial player salaries. Consequently, when choosing a college, these athletes are often motivated by the prospect of joining the NFL or NBA. Conversely, athletes in non-revenue sports focus more on academics, career aspirations, and personal interests.

Currently, companies investing heavily in N.I.L lack a reliable method for tracking Return on Investment (ROI). For instance, numerous car dealerships have entered into agreements with college football and men’s basketball players, yet these athletes seldom promote cars. The funds are often spent freely without a clear purpose. In contrast, if a similar arrangement were made with a female soccer player who is also a business major and intends to start her own dealership post-graduation, there would be a tangible incentive for her to succeed and demonstrate sales capabilities, effectively turning her N.I.L opportunity into a paid internship.

A critical point that emerged indirectly during the discussion was the NFL's pressing need to establish a feeder system. Former Alabama Head Football Coach Nick Saban remarked that NFL coaches have observed a trend of players arriving less developed, with an inflated sense of entitlement and diminished resilience to adversity. Given that many of these players are recruited at a young age and are often pampered during their college experience, along with receiving substantial N.I.L earnings, it’s no surprise they struggle with the pressures of professional sports.

To address this issue, the NFL should shift its focus away from the draft and require all thirty-two teams to establish at least two affiliate feeder franchises, similar to the systems in place for baseball, hockey, soccer, and basketball. Each NFL team could maintain a roster of around twenty-five to thirty players, who would be compensated well to train and compete against other feeder franchises, while also building relationships with their existing fan bases.

The fan engagement observed during the NFL draft could easily translate to attendance at feeder franchise games. Implementing this change could significantly alleviate the challenges facing college athletics, as it would reduce the financial imbalance created by football within athletic departments, preventing the difficult decisions regarding cuts to certain sports due to budget constraints.

Chapter 2: The Future of College Athletics

This chapter will delve into the implications of N.I.L and the potential restructuring of college athletics.