Getty Image
There’s no doubt that NIL has changed the college landscape completely. Players are now able to make money from their Name, Image, and Likeness, after never being able to capitalize on this stuff in the history of college athletics.
Now, players can go down to the local bookstore and sign some autographs for cash, or have a booster buy them dinner. Most commonly, at least in football, it’s just a booster paying a player for existing, but it’s better than the system before.
And, some players are getting really rich. Here is some data on what college athletes are worth the most.
A new look to the top 10 On3 NIL Valuations 👀
Story from @Pete_Nakos96: https://t.co/NuExGRKyU4 pic.twitter.com/eJ9PSdpCbC
— On3 NIL (@On3NIL) January 24, 2023
That’s quite a bit of change. But, how is this impacting locker rooms? After all, it’s easy to see how some could become jealous of others on the team making a lot of money. Well, a new study set out to see athletes’ opinions on NIL.
When it became clear #NIL was coming to college sports, critics said it would "destroy locker rooms." Yet one of the most extensive research studies of NIL since it launched more than 18 months ago tells a much different story.
More from @JeremyCrabtree: https://t.co/cuG4bRomFi pic.twitter.com/iIEUaqvhdA
— On3 NIL (@On3NIL) January 25, 2023
Here is an excerpt from that article regarding NIL attitudes.
A survey of more than 1,000 student-athletes – including more than 415 Division I football players – found that only 8% of respondents have witnessed NIL causing rifts/tensions or say that it’s a “locker room problem.”
In addition, the survey found that 76% of respondents said they share NIL earnings information with teammates. Furthermore, 78% of those surveyed said teammates have asked them to share information about their NIL earnings.
The survey was conducted by Bill Carter of Student-Athlete Insights, a company that specializes in NIL education and consulting. Carter, who also lectures about NIL at the University of Vermont, is an expert on sports entrepreneurship. His NIL Research Poll is one of the most robust in the industry with a panel of around 5,000 student-athletes.
Tough break for people who don’t like the fact that college kids can make NIL money off their own persona.