Wealth of donor tied to major college programs surges to No. 2 worldwide

College sports underwent a significant transformation about four years ago when the name, image, and likeness (NIL) program became a sanctioned and approved initiative. The program allowed athletes to market themselves to companies and corporations, earning money to advertise and promote products. Some athletes have become national brand ambassadors and earned millions of dollars. Caitlin Clark, Livvy Dunne, and Shedeur Sanders all became multi-millionaires during their time in college.

With vague guidance and a limited ability to provide compliance rules, NIL quickly morphed into a pay-for-play scheme. Wealthy donors and alums returned to their schools with pockets full of cash and helped their chosen programs offer deals to entice the best in the nation to play for them. One of the biggest stories in NIL recruiting involved last year's top-rated football recruit, Bryce Underwood. Underwood had been committed to LSU for months and gave no indications of changing his mind. Enter Jolin Ellison, Michigan alum and wife of the now-second-richest man in the world, Oracle founder Larry Ellison.