We are all aware of the impact that NIL has had on college football, but the question is, has NIL ruined the game?
Here are a few ideas to ponder.
Why people think NIL has ruined it
1. “Free agency” chaos
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Combined with the transfer portal, NIL has turned roster management into something that feels like pro sports.
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Star players can leave yearly for better deals, hurting continuity and rivalries.
2. Big programs got even richer
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Schools with wealthy boosters and strong collectives (Texas, Ohio State, Alabama, etc.) can outspend others.
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This widens the competitive gap, especially hurting mid-tier and smaller programs.
3. Pay-for-play in disguise
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Despite rules, many NIL deals are effectively recruiting inducements.
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Fans feel the system is dishonest because everyone knows what’s happening but pretends otherwise.
4. Fans feel disconnected
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When players are openly shopping for deals, some fans struggle to stay emotionally invested.
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Loyalty—real or perceived—has declined.
Why NIL hasn’t ruined it
1. Players were always generating massive money
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Coaches, TV networks, and administrators made billions while players got scholarships and nothing else.
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NIL corrected a fundamental fairness issue.
2. Exploitation was the old system
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Star players risked injury with no financial safety net.
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NIL allows athletes to support families, build brands, and insure against career-ending injuries.
3. The sport is still wildly popular
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TV ratings are strong.
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Stadiums are full.
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Rivalries and playoff races still matter.
4. The problem isn’t NIL—it’s the lack of structure
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NIL was dropped in with no real enforcement, salary caps, or contract rules.
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That chaos would exist in any system without guardrails.
The real verdict
NIL didn’t ruin college football.
The combination of NIL + the transfer portal + zero regulation destabilized it.
What many fans actually miss:
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Roster stability
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Clear rules
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Competitive balance
Those are fixable.
What could improve things
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Multi-year NIL contracts tied to roster commitments
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Transfer windows with limits
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Standardized reporting and enforcement
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Revenue-sharing models that reduce booster arms races
Bottom line
College football isn’t broken—but it’s in an awkward adolescence. NIL exposed problems that were already there, and now the sport has to grow up and regulate itself.