Credit: Will Huster K-State Athletics
NIL is Ruining College Sports
Published: Monday, February 10, 2025
by Darren Worrell
One of the biggest debates in college sports right now is Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL). College sports used to be about school pride, tradition, and the love of the game; now, it feels like it is all about who can offer the biggest paycheck.
Instead of choosing a school based on coaching, academics, or team culture, many athletes are making decisions based on who is willing to pay the most. It never used to be like this, and honestly, it is starting to feel like things are getting out of control.
Before NIL, college sports were fair. Of course, the top recruits still went to powerhouse programs, but at least their decisions were based on more than just money. Players committed to schools because of the coaching, the team atmosphere, and, most importantly, the opportunity to get a great education.
Now, because of NIL, athletes are not sticking around to develop over four years. Rather, they are jumping from school to school and chasing bigger deals.
If you ask me, college sports have turned into free agency. The best players are basically in a bidding war, and smaller schools do not stand a chance because they cannot afford to compete. Big-name programs with wealthy boosters keep stacking their rosters, while mid-major schools and smaller schools are left struggling to stay competitive. College sports were already unbalanced, but NIL has made it even worse.
There is no doubt that NIL has given athletes a life-changing opportunity. Some players come from difficult financial situations, and this money allows them to provide for themselves and their families. That is a great thing, and I do not think anyone is arguing against that.
But the issue is not whether athletes should be paid, it is how the money is used. Instead of NIL simply giving players the chance to profit off their brand, it has turned into a full-blown recruiting tool. It is not about rewarding performance anymore, it is about who can throw the most money at top-tier talent.
What gets lost in the shuffle of NIL deals is the integrity of college sports. There is something special about athletes who are genuinely passionate about representing their school, who care about more than just the money. Athletes who see playing in college as an opportunity to develop, not just a steppingstone to the pros. NIL has shifted that focus.
It is hard to imagine college basketball, football, baseball, or even volleyball feeling the same, when the conversations are all about how much money someone is making rather than the athlete’s growth, struggles, and achievements. The heart of college sports used to be about the competition, but now it feels like it is about the contracts.
The last time I checked college sports and professional sports are two different things, but now they feel the exact same.
I keep praying that college sports can go back to the way they used to be. It used to be fun watching teams grow, build chemistry, and fight their way to a championship. Now, it is the same schools buying the best talent every year, while other teams are forced to just sit back and watch. Maybe one day things will change, but right now, this is the new reality.
Honestly, it’s just not as fun anymore.
Darren Worrell can be reached at darren.worrell@student.shu.edu.Posted in: sports,