The schools and the NCAA don’t want the players to know how much money is out there and how much they are truly worth. The NIL is a kicking the can down the road to delay players actually becoming employees and all that goes with it. Walter Byers was a visionary in that regard.

Santa Claus has nothing to do with Christmas. The NCAA certainly was a part of the NIL deal as they represent the member institutions. Walter Byers coined the phrase “student athlete” in the 1950s to keep the schools from being employers and dealing with all the laws and regulations that go with it. The players have a taste of what they are worth and the NIL is just the first step in the changing landscape of college athletics.

I'm not blaming anything on anybody. I think it's good that the players can make some money, even high school. When coaches are making millions and kids are playing in sold out stadiums on national TV, it was just a matter of time when the players wanted to be paid. I think the NCAA and schools would rather have NIL than players being employees and all that goes with it. Time will tell.