NIL Has Killed College Football as we Knew it

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Justin Favors | Last updated May 27, 2025 6:39 PM ET

College football is one of the most popular sports in America. Every Saturday families gather in front of their television screen to cheer on their favorite team. However, since the NCAA passed the rule allowing college athletes to make money off their name, image, and likeness (NIL) while in school, things have noticeably changed. The shift instantly impacted the college world, allowing athletes to rake in big revenue. How bad can making money in college actually be? Not as good as one might think.

In April, former Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava held out of spring practice due to an NIL dispute. According to Mark Giannotto of USA Today, Iamaleava was trying to renegotiate his NIL contract since the NCAA is expected to approve revenue sharing with schools. The quarterback's deal was set up for him to make over $2 million per year.

During all the NIL drama with Iamaleava, Vols head coach Josh Huepel was forced to move on from his starting five-star quarterback. “We’re moving forward as a program without him,” he said, “there’s no one that’s bigger than the power T.” Iamaleava entered the transfer portal shortly after the dispute with Tennessee.

With the NIL rule being implemented, it has caused some sense of entitlement and arrogance within the athletes. Not only are they signing to schools that pay the most money, but they will hold out and not practice if they do not get enough money. Not to mention, there is a huge "agent" factor, which is a growing concern. Some of the elite high school upperclassmen are hiring agents to negotiate NIL deals being offered by schools.

What about the ones not wanting an agent? Parents are stepping in to act on their kids' best interest. Some are even quitting their day jobs to make it all happen, hoping their kids will one day be able to pay back the sacrifice.

The money is starting to change the atmosphere of college sports.

Student athletes are no longer playing at the biggest schools for just exposure alone but also for how rich a school can make them. From brand deals to custom cleats and sneakers, the window for opportunity is bigger than it's ever been before. One of the biggest questions that needs to be asked is simple.

Will NIL continue to consume the sports families around America love? Stay tuned.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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