the ESPN article’s explanation of NILin college sports is accurate and reflects how the system actually works in 2025, though the landscape continues to evolve. NIL refers to college athletes’ legal right to profit from their own name, image, and likeness in commercial deals, a right restored after NCAA rules and state laws changed starting in 2021, allowing athletes to sign sponsorship and endorsement contracts with brands and businesses. Schools and states set policies governing those deals, and many require athletes to report agreements and get approval to ensure they meet rules like fair market value and valid business purpose. Athletes can hire agents or advisors to help with contracts, and some deals — from sneakers and gear to social media promotions — can be worth significant money for top players, though most athletes earn far less. The evolving regulatory structure now includes oversight by a clearinghouse (NIL Go) and new settlement-related rules on revenue sharing with schools, meaning both third-party deals and direct school compensation are part of the wider compensation picture, with ongoing efforts to balance legitimate endorsements and fair play under college sports rules.
