Name image and Likeness is just a legal way to pay college athletes

"Name Image and Licensing", Damnedest thing, I have not seen one of these super salesmen sell a can of paint. 

To be more direct. If players are getting a million dollars to rep a company that normally doesn't advertise, haven't they really just a found a loophole to pay players? Instead of leaving an envelope on the seat of the players sportscar they now run it thru payroll.

It feels like the universities are still benefiting from the players' image, but now the supporters of the university are paying the freight, Willingly, I think? 

I too endorse products, my worth to the advertiser is judged by the purchase of products and services that I have endorsed. You can take this to the bank, local advertisers in Youngstown and similar markets have to get results with marketing money.

If my hypothesis is correct, that the college athlete is likely not selling products or services isn't it just a recruiting tool to land 5-star athletes? Rumor has it, Dione Sanders, new at Colorado, has 5 million in NIL money waiting to entice 5-star recruits. 

Look at the can of worms that has been opened? Instead of the NCAA sticking to its archaic rules, that require coaches to document every chicken wing he buys a player, why not give the players enough money to live during the season? 

College football is entertaining ,but it hardly can be called amateur athletics. By the way as I write this thousands of Michigan fans don't really care, they just beat Ohio State. wonder what kind of NIL deal the bowling teams gets?

Dan Rivers

Weekdays 9 to noon

570 WKBN