As college sports continue to grow throughout the country, bringing in over $1 billion in revenue every year, there are two important things that have greatly impacted these sports on and off the field.
For the first time in the history of NCAA sports as of 2021, college athletes are able to make money from their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, which are deals players can make with certain companies that can earn them from a few hundred dollars to millions.
Along with this financial revolution, the transfer portal, which was introduced in 2018, has allowed players across college sports to transfer to any school assuming they meet the school’s eligibility requirements.
These recent introductions into the college sports arena are having a massive impact on the fairness of the game and the competitive spirit of college athletes.
Since the transfer portal was introduced, it has been utilized by many different college programs to strengthen their rosters and make them more competitive with other colleges. It’s important to note that athletes that transfer schools most likely have been playing collegiate sports for at least their freshman year, meaning they would bring experience to these new programs, which would be especially beneficial for programs with many freshmen.
On the contrary, some players that have immense popularity with the public utilize the transfer portal to join schools that are well-known such as Duke University, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and many others. When making the decision to transfer to one of these more well-renowned schools, garnering recognition from associations like the NBA and the NFL and making these NIL deals are at the top of the list for college athletes. By attending these higher-level schools, athletes are more likely to receive these endorsements, which not only benefits the athletes but also benefits these collegiate programs due to these marketing effects and branding visibility.
Although NIL deals bring in vast amounts of profit for college athletes, along with the colleges themselves, the question of whether or not these endorsements are affecting the competitiveness of these athletes is very prevalent.
Managing these NIL deals often distracts athletes from focusing on their academics, going to practice, training in the gym, and much more. It also has the potential to strip away the raw passion these athletes have for the sport itself due to the prioritization of financial gain.
However, for some athletes, it actually may add additional passion and focus for the sport due to the athletes not having to stress about financial struggles, giving them the ability to sit back and put training in their sport as their focal point.
Whether NIL deals hinder or increase college athletes’ love for the sport depends on the character of said athletes and how they balance this business with a passion for the game.
Though fans may have mixed feelings about NIL deals and the transfer portal, they are likely here to stay for the rest of college sports history, redefining what has been possible in the past.
