In this new era of college sports, athletes are given NIL deals to profit from their names, images, and likeness. A lot of college athletes must make serious decisions about their future when money is involved. This too could be the thought process for some high school graduating seniors.
Senior and basketball player Charles Lewless said being paid in college can make him feel like he doesn’t have to worry about being paid in the league, which will allow him the opportunity to focus more on his basketball development.
“I’d rather get paid more and developed less, but it depends on the amount of money,” Lawless said. “The end goal is to get paid, so I’d rather just speed up the process.”
Athletes getting money in college could make them want to stay in college another year and cash in on their NIL. However, some athletes believe the development of oneself is more important than the NIL they receive.
“I would rather get paid less and develop more because the money would come with the development,” senior football player Donte Dooley said. “The more you develop the better your outcome.”
Dooley’s goal is to become an NFL pro because of NIL and no amount of money will change the trajectory of his path.
“Going pro was always something I dreamed of since I was little, “Dooley said. “NIL will do nothing but motivate me more.”
Varsity basketball coach George Ward said he thinks athletes’ mindsets will change if they can get a substantial amount of money.
“If we think that a young person having a million dollars or even a $100,000 or $20,000 thrown in their face and that does not change their mindset, we really are kidding ourselves,” Ward said.
College athletes receiving NIL benefits could be motivation for incoming students.
“It could be a positive too; it makes some youngsters who are not getting NIL money look to get better at their craft so they can receive some of those financial rewards,” Ward said.
