College Athletics and the Money Behind It
Nicholas Lau, Whitney Young Magnet High School, Junior, Spring 2026
Despite its recent introduction into college athletics in 2021, the growth of NIL deals has rapidly expanded. As stated by the SportsEpreneur Editorial Team, “In just four years, NIL has exploded into a $2.75 billion economy", reshaping interactions (SPORTSEPRENEUR, 2026). This sudden outburst into the college athletics scene has sparked debate over whether its benefits outweigh its drawbacks.
Although many may have heard about the general basics of NIL deals, not everyone knows about its benefits. NIL provides college athletes a chance to earn money while also offering opportunities for athletes to better prepare their future. According to Bill Carter, an NIL educator and consultant, “64% of athletes agree that NIL has opened doors to new professional development opportunities” (Carter, 2024). In addition, current D1 volleyball athlete Tyler Tharpe stated that NIL deals “allowed for athletes to advocate for themselves better and leverage the talents they bring to the table instead of them just being taken advantage of.” By allowing athletes to earn money while playing sports, NIL deals have allowed for opportunities for athletes to showcase their skills rather than earning commission for athletics departments for free.
There are some concerns about NIL deals. According to Tharpe, “In some sports it leads to more of a willingness to transfer because realistically, if a comparable school is offering more money, you’ll probably transfer.” In fact, estimates from RallyFuel suggest 14% of all Division 1 athletes entered the transfer portal in the 2025 offseason, often for better opportunities (RallyFuel, 2025). This can impact relationships and engagement from fans and college communities. Martin Kaufmann, a senior athletics director at UIUC, reports that “As athletes start to transfer, the connection between fans and sports teams starts to weaken.” While college athletes can benefit from NIL deals, the possibility of them transferring can lead to instability within college programs.
However, the overall consensus over NIL deals is that it benefits college athletes by providing more opportunities to earn money while playing a high-level sport. Kaufmann states, “prior to NIL deals, only coaches received financial compensation and recognition for the success of athletic programs.” With NIL deals, college athletes are able to financially benefit from their athletic abilities and accomplishments.
Sources:
Interviews:
Martin Kaufmann - Executive Senior Associate Director of Athletics, Revenue Operations at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Tyler Tharpe - Current sophomore at Ohio State University playing division 1 volleyball
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