NIL began as a conversation because NCAA football was using the names and images of college players, and those college players weren't being compensated. So they sued. And it was determined that the players names and likenesses could not be used without their permission and compensation.

So for years we didn't have NCAA games with player names and likeness.

The conversation expanded from there. It was recognized that the schools (and other businesses) weren't allowed to make money off of the players name, image or likeness (which is why schools could sell jerseys with a number on them, but not the name of the player on the jersey). But then the question was asked - why can't players earn money for themselves? Why are they limited in what they can earn by selling their own name, image, and likeness? There was a kicker at one of the Florida schools who ended up giving up football because he was told he would have to give up making money on his social media account.

So when NIL stuff passed - the intent was that players could start making money for themselves. If became some kind of celebrity and people wanted to pay them to be on a billboard representing their company, great. If someone wanted to have them be a spokesperson for their car dealership? Great.

What it's turned into is not even close to being in alignment with that. Instead of a player becoming a celebrity due to their play and cashing in on it, we've got people coming up with reasons to pay players to go to certain schools. "Hey - I'll pay you to be on a billboard and be a spokesperson for my auto dealership - but only if you play at the university of my choice."

The original intent was NEVER to have athletes be paid just for going to a school - and a specific school at that. The original intent was to allow players who have picked up a following to be financially reimbursed for use of that recognition.