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“College sports has become a billionaire’s playground.”

Washington AD Pat Chun says schools backed by billionaire donors are gaining a major edge in roster construction and retention through NIL and revenue sharing.

Do you agree?

The Big 12 has reportedly signed a conference-wide sponsorship with Monster Energy that would place logos on jerseys, fields, and courts across all 16 schools.

The deal is expected to generate more than $20 million annually—just over $1 million per school. While that’s new revenue, many fans and industry observers argue it’s a surprisingly low return for conference-wide branding rights, especially as schools spend millions on athlete compensation.

Smart new revenue stream or did the Big 12 sell itself short?

Five years ago, college athletes couldn’t earn a dollar from their Name, Image & Likeness.

Today, the NIL economy is estimated to be worth $4.5 billion, and it’s still growing.

What started as a way for athletes to monetize their personal brands has transformed college sports, creating new opportunities for athletes, brands, schools, and fans alike.

Whether you love NIL or hate it, one thing is clear: it’s changed the game forever.

Has NIL made college sports better or worse? Tell us why in the comments.

📌 Save this post to understand how far NIL has come in just five years, and share it with an athlete, parent, or coach.

Adidas is officially back in Knoxville.

More than 40 Tennessee student-athletes across all 20 varsity sports participated in the launch of the university’s new partnership with adidas through NIL social media campaigns. As part of the agreement, all Tennessee student-athletes are now eligible to participate in adidas’ NIL Ambassador Program, creating opportunities to collaborate with the brand while representing the Volunteers.

The partnership marks Adidas’ return as Tennessee’s official athletic apparel provider and expands NIL opportunities beyond just a handful of athletes, making brand partnerships available across every varsity sport.

Will more apparel brands follow this model at other schools?

Serbian standout Nikola Kusturica (FC Barcelona) is headed to UCLA amid reports of a two-year, $12M NIL deal, one of the biggest international moves in college basketball.

The European forward arrives with NBA Draft buzz and high-level pro development experience, instantly raising expectations in Westwood.

UCLA just went global.

Former Baylor center James Nnaji, the No. 31 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, has committed to George Mason.

After spending last season with the Bears, the 7-footer is headed to Fairfax with three years of NCAA eligibility remaining. Nnaji was drafted directly from FC Barcelona and had not previously used NCAA eligibility, allowing him to compete in college basketball after coming to the United States.

George Mason adds a highly intriguing frontcourt piece with professional experience and NBA ties.

Five years ago today, college athletics changed forever.

Since July 1, 2021, we’ve seen NIL evolve from a brand-new opportunity into an entirely new business model for college sports. Along the way came collectives, landmark court cases, revenue sharing, new oversight, and countless opportunities for student-athletes to build their brands.

One thing is certain: the NIL landscape will continue to evolve.

What do you think has been the biggest change over the last five years?

Former Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby’s path to professional football remains on hold.

The NFL has declined to hold a 2026 supplemental draft, meaning Sorsby cannot enter the league this season despite exhausting his NCAA eligibility. He has also been denied the opportunity to play in the CFL, leaving him without a professional option as his legal team continues to challenge the decisions.

What do you think—should players in Sorsby’s situation have another pathway to continue their careers?

Football and basketball may dominate the headlines, but Olympic sports continue to deliver strong NIL value.

The latest data shows brands are willing to work with athletes across a variety of Olympic sports—proving that opportunity isn’t defined by the sport you play.

The biggest differentiator? A strong personal brand.

Which result surprised you the most?

The NCAA has approved a new age-based eligibility model that will simplify how eligibility is determined for future Division I student-athletes.

Here’s what you need to know:
• 5 seasons of competition
• No traditional redshirts
• Fewer eligibility waivers
• Eligibility clock based on age/full-time enrollment
• New rules begin for athletes first enrolling full-time in Fall 2027, with transition protections for current student-athletes.

This marks one of the biggest eligibility changes in years and will impact recruiting, roster management, and long-term NIL planning.

Whether you’re a student-athlete, parent, coach, or administrator, understanding these changes is essential as college athletics continues to evolve.

—> Swipe through for a simple breakdown, and save this post for future reference.

What do you think about moving away from redshirts? Let us know in the comments.