Imagine being paid large amounts of money due to your exceptional talent. Many universities are taking part in NIL deals. Whether they are using it to build a name for their player or school or simply for recruitment purposes, these young adults are already making millions. NIL is slowly taking over the new generations of competitive sports. Over multiple decades, there has been a major shift in how athletes are not only perceived but also recognized, thanks to NIL deals. 

If you are unfamiliar with the term “NIL”, it stands for “Name, Image, and Likeness,” referring to a person’s legal right to control how their image is displayed. Before regulations were that, student-athletes had to forfeit their NIL deals to sign with a collegiate sports team. The rules and regulations have been altered, allowing student-athletes to restore their NIL rights and obtain sponsorships ever since. 

Many athletes like Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese, and Sheduer Sanders. For example, Beuckers has been a female phenomenon since high school; however, she only was able to make money by using her name once she started attending UCONN. Reese wasn’t a commonly known name until she transferred to LSU, where she later won an NCAA championship. Her tenacity and resilient attitude is what makes her unique. Lastly, Sheduer always had a name due to who his father is; additionally, through NIL, Sanders started a whole new following for those who have an interest in his name only. Although it may seem as though NIL has only been for certain individuals, big-time programs like the LSU women’s basketball team and multiple other major Division I schools have contributed to these student-athletes who are interested in NIL. Over time, the things these athletes can obtain range from free sneakers and workout gear to high-end clothing or essentials. Compared to professional athletes many college athletes make more money than professional athletes. In a recent article, Angel Reese expressed that she was “making more money than some people that are in the league.”For example, Sheduer Sanders, the Colorado Buffaloes quarterback, is the star of NIL. With an estimated worth of $4.7 million dollars, and additionally included is his partnered Nike deal with his Father, Dion Sanders, also known as “Prime Time.” 

Now, taking a highly debatable focus to sports, the female vs male aspect. A lot of female athletes have been recognized positively, increasing fans and viewers in female sports. One of the biggest and most recognizable names in college basketball is Paige Bueckers. The Connecticut women’s basketball player remains one of the highest earners of NIL money, with a valuation of 1 million dollars. Beyond her record-breaking performances, Bueckers signed a historical NIL deal with the Unrivaled Basketball League. Former Huskies Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart co-found UBL. Bueckers has become the first collegiate athlete to have ownership equity in the league. Another female athlete who has created such a strong presence in women’s basketball is Angel Reese. The Maryland native withholds a value of 1.8 million dollars as of the spring of 2024, with endorsements from Airbnb, Reebok, Beats, and others. Now, Reese has just completed her rookie year in the WNBA with the Chicago Sky and continues to take in many endorsements. These female athletes are just a smidgen of powerful females who have made remarkable history, making women in sports more recognized than before.

With the newfound freedom that comes with NIL deals, athletes can now earn money and handle endorsements in previously restricted ways. Tremendous and rapid growth has been made in terms of gender stereotypes, seeing females excel in sports that only men could at one point. As we look to the future, it’s exciting to anticipate the potential growth of NIL deals and its overwhelmingly positive impact on college athletics, fostering a new era of sports.

Although NIL deals have brought many positive benefits to athletes, they can also be detrimental to players and programs. In a recent New York Times article, “Spyre Sports and its activity in recruiting,” specifically surrounding Tenessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava who committed to Tennessee on a four-year, $8.1 million dollar NIL contract”. Another controversial situation introduced in the article was regarding an investigation surrounding Florida and their pursuit of a high school quarterback Jaden Rashada, “signed with the Gators after a wild NIL bidding war”. However Rashada “asked for a release from his letter of intent when a Florida collective reneged on a deal it had signed”.

Within a decade, the topic of NIL deals has become highly controversial and easily debatable. However, many take advantage of the fact that money is a huge part of NIL and jeopardizes their position in programs or organizations. Furthermore, NIL also brings many beneficial additions to athletes and programs, allowing for more progress to be made in college athletics, especially female athletics.