Andre Iguodala breaks down why he supports college players getting paid through NIL: 'There has always been a priority to exploit them'

The introduction of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals in 2021 marked a pivotal moment for college athletics. For decades, college athletes were seen as the faces of their institutions, drawing massive revenue through ticket sales, merchandise, and TV deals, yet they received little in return.

This paradigm shifted with the NCAA’s rule change, allowing athletes to profit from their personal brands. The move sparked debates across the sports world, with many questioning whether it was too little or too late for those who had already endured years of financial hardship.

Prioritizing athletes

The debate around NIL deals is about long-standing exploitation. For years, universities consumed billions of dollars while athletes barely scraped by. A report from the NCAA showed that college sports generated over $1.3 billion in its 2022-2023 fiscal year, with men’s basketball and football leading the charge. Despite their role in driving this revenue, athletes remained bound by strict rules prohibiting compensation beyond scholarships.

“The athletes have never been the priority in terms of being taken care of; it’s always been the priority to exploit, to make money off them,” said former NBA champion Andre Iguodala. “I do think kids should be paid, especially when you go through college, and you got $5 for the week to eat. I’ve been there, so kids are for-profit entities that are being these college institutions with a lot of revenue.”

These remarks highlight a long-standing problem. College athletes were often treated as commodities, their physical talents fueling university coffers while their well-being was overlooked.

According to a 2019 National College Players Association survey, 86 percent of athletes experienced financial hardship, with some admitting they skipped meals or avoided essential expenses due to lack of funds. NIL deals now remedy these inequities, allowing players to turn their brand value into financial security.