College Football use to be an enjoyable way of watching sports on a Saturday. Student-athletes knew what the word commitment meant to a program. However, ever since the inception of the transfer portal, and the newly-adapted Name, Image, and Likeliness (NIL). Most student-athletes are jumping at an opportunity if they don’t get their way.
The Issue With Name, Image, And Likeliness (NIL).
Many college football fans will argue that prior to the inception of NIL. Many student-athletes received various athletic scholarships and other perks. Meanwhile, what some of those same fans may not see is the millions of dollars that these universities and athletic departments pocket off those same student-athletes. Since NIL has become legal and athletes have rightfully taken advantage of it.
However, there is a greater issue with NIL that perhaps many are not focusing on. Universities who have larger alumni networks and donors with big pockets have a major advantage compared to the rest of the pack. Further, there is a way to solve this discrepancy. The NCAA needs a governing body to oversee the issue. Nowadays, with universities gathering groups of alumni together to solely create NIL opportunities for student-athletes. There are disadvantages to other schools who may not have large large alumni networks or donors.
The bottom is this: if no one gets a grip on it now, the issue will get worse in the future. Especially when bringing up the topic of the transfer portal. There needs to be an established level-playing field before it gets out of hand. Considering, it is getting out of hand.
The Transfer Portal
Yes, there are certain situations that warrant transferring and being immediately eligible. However, going back to the previous topic. the transfer portal is becoming a hot commodity due to what NIL has to offer at certain programs. That alone, can be enticing to leave. On the other hand, some players do leave in order to obtain a starting role at a different program. Yes, do players mature over the course of their college career and do coaching changes happen? yes, they do. On top of that, there are instances where players may not fit the scheme anymore or that player may not be involved in future plans.
Also, when the transfer portal was first introduced. It enabled players to transfer once without any severe penalty (transferring out of conference). However, due to players not landing on the depth chart of where they want to be. Instead, players are beginning to use the transfer portal in order to not only transfer, yet, obtain an NIL deal.
Analysis As To Why These Two Categories Are The Leading Issues
First, let’s dive into NIL a little bit more. There are several reasons that NIL in a way is destroying college football. As previously mentioned, there are universities with larger alumni networks than others. That is pretty significant when you look at available funds and what a certain program can provide. When you look closer at scholarships and other perks a student-athlete gets. It doesn’t compare to the amount of revenue that a group or one athlete brings in based off jersey sales, autograph value, and other ventures. Also, there are a few coaches from well-established programs that have said their programs are behind on areas such as NIL.
Now, onto the transfer portal. Before it was official, athletes knew what the word commitment meant to a program. I’m not saying that things always work out. At the same time, I’m also saying that you earn your spot on a team. There are several growing pains from high school to college in any sport. However, the transfer portal wasn’t implemented for student-athletes to enter when they don’t get their way. Even though there are deadlines for those to enter the portal. The transfer portal was opened so student-athletes could get a one-time fresh start.
In the end, you won’t stop players from transferring especially if it makes sense. However, what college football and the NCAA can assist with is leveling the NIL landscape. If someone doesn’t step in and level the playing field. This could really get out of hand if it hasn’t already. Lastly, it seems as if players would rather take an NIL deal and be third or fourth on the depth chart compared to earn a starting role and put together a reel for the next level. By any means, i’m not against NIL or transferring if it makes sense. The main issue is, transferring only to obtain an NIL deal. This is where a committee needs to step in and level the playing field.
Finally, players do deserve to be compensated for the value they bring to a university and program. However, even though NIL should’ve been implemented a long time ago. There does need to be an established level playing field. Presently, NIL seems to be taking over college football at a faster rate than expected. At the same time, it also seems to be ruining the great game of college football many once knew. Prominent coaches such as Mat Rhule has indicated it cost between $1 million and $1.5 million for a solid quarterback.
