With the NIL disaster looming, only the NCAA can save it from itself.
Supposedly, the NCAA’s recent set of guidelines has no real jurisdiction over colleges that want to make their own rules or go by the state laws that have been put into place.
Governor Roy Cooper issued an executive order that goes along with other governors who say schools can do whatever they want with the Name, Image and Likeness of their athletes, as long as they are not paid for playing or for their achievements on the fields and courts.
Everything else is so gray that it opens the door for NIL deals that will quickly get out of control if the NCAA or federal government doesn’t intercede. Did you see what Miami has already announced?
The owner of a chain of gyms and fitness centers has committed $540,000 to Miami athletes for merely promoting his businesses on social media and any kind of traditional advertising. What a surprise that the owner started a new marketing company titled “Bring Back the U,” another scheme to help schools win and make more money.
If that is not an invitation for a recruiting war ripe with agent involvement, nothing is. Will all schools follow the same path as making deals with major corporations so their athletes can cash in by endorsing consumer products?
Not right away, but once a school feels it is falling behind in recruiting because of promises made to high school stars, what other choice do they have? Look for Arkansas, the home of Wal-Mart, to get an even bigger deal from the Sam Walton family.
Or any major company in a state where the owners can leapfrog donors who have been giving millions to their favorite schools?
The point is, Sam Howell can’t be paid for throwing touchdown passes but he can now make money from any deal his new marketing company, Everett Sports, lines up. And if he’s successful, won’t other 4- and 5-star quarterbacks want to follow him to Carolina?
Agents are not restricted in any way from steering prospects to schools with the best NIL deals and getting commissioned by sponsoring companies. It’s going to bring bidding for recruits into the light of day.
Can even the best-intentioned schools control all this? I think not.
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