Tell me again how much your average CBer loves to follow Big10 women's college bball? Answer - they normally don't. Certain stars are stars because of what they do, not who they play for. The fact that YOU didn't know who she was doesn't mean no one else knows who she is.

What you're describing - only caring because of who they play for - is NIL gone awry. It originally came from video games using players' names and images without compensating them. At which point they couldn't use them any more - which is why schools couldn't sell jerseys with players' names on them either, they could just sell jerseys with the number. After a series of lawsuits, it was determined that rather than not using an athlete's NIL, the athlete can and should be compensated for its use. Which leads us to today.

If this helps - should I use Caleb Williams instead? USC QB who has also been on State Farm TV ads - not because he plays for USC, but because he's the projected #1 draft pick and a Heisman winner.

I understand what you're saying - and that's true for the vast majority of athletes - people want to pay them to go to their school. But that was never the intent of NIL.