College sports generate billions, but for decades, athletes were unpaid 'amateurs.' Now, the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) era is fundamentally changing this, allowing athletes to earn significant income. Explore how NIL works, its impact on schools and players, and what the future of college athlete pay might look like.
Did you know the NCAA men's basketball tournament alone generates over $1 billion annually, yet for decades, the athletes creating that value received no direct pay?