• Loading stock data...
Thursday, July 3, 2025

NCAA Athletes Feel They Need More NIL Resources

  • An NCAA survey found that 39% of women’s sports athletes and 42% of men’s sports athletes are looking for more NIL resources.
  • About half of each group is also looking for more help on understanding how to do their taxes.
(NCAA-Congress)
Charlie Nye/Indianapolis Star

In the first several months of the name, image, and likeness era, many athletes said they still didn’t fully understand it.

An NCAA survey found that 39% of women’s sports athletes and 42% of men’s sports athletes are looking for more resources on “navigating NIL opportunities.” About half of each group is looking for more help on how to do their taxes.

The survey included results from more than 9,800 athletes from all divisions and was conducted in November and December of 2021.

Without enough education, athletes could struggle with everything from savings and taxes to realizing their full earning potential.

The NCAA’s interim NIL policy does not set specific standards for how schools should educate athletes — and how to manage earnings as a result. In fact, it has provided more detail about booster involvement than suggested financial literacy.

Several state NIL laws also attempted to require at least some amount of NIL education. But enforcement mechanisms remain unclear.

Despite the murky or nonexistent requirements, schools have attempted to build their own programs. The most common plan of attack was partnering with consulting companies who offer education resources. Other schools have begun building in-house departments aimed at helping with multiple aspects of NIL, including education.

But the vast majority of schools with those resources are in Division I. Many lower-division schools don’t have the same amount of financial resources, and struggled — at least in NIL’s early days — with putting together NIL programs for athletes. 

There’s no divisional breakdown of the data, so it’s unclear whether athletes at richer schools feel they’re better taken care of.

But the survey suggests that in the current setup, many athletes aren’t getting enough.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

North Dakota Fighting Hawks guard Zach Kraft (1) shoots the ball on Friday, March 7, 2025, at Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, S.D.

House v. NCAA Settlement Is Here. Non-Power Conference Schools Still Have Questions

D-I administrators still have questions they haven’t gotten answered.
July 9, 2009; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons president Joe Dumars during the press conference to introduce their new head coach John Kuester at their practice facility.

Joe Dumars Leaving NBA League Office to Run Pelicans

Joe Dumars was the architect of the 2004 champion Pistons.
Mar 20, 2025; Providence, RI, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks forward Karter Knox (11) controls the ball against Kansas Jayhawks during the first half at Amica Mutual Pavilion.

Men’s March Madness Sets Opening-Day Viewership Record

CBS Sports and TNT Sports scored big with Arkansas–Kansas.

Callaway’s LIV Deal Shows How Much Golf Has Shifted

The company has signed a first-of-its-kind club contract.

Featured Today

Geoffrey Esper Can’t Catch a Break at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

“Hot dogs is not one of my favorite competitions of the year.”
June 29, 2025

The Battle Over Wimbledon’s Ambitious Expansion Plan

A classic NIMBY standoff on one of the most hallowed grounds in sports.
Seattle Rough & Tumble
June 28, 2025

Women’s Sports Bars Are on the Rise. Survival Isn’t Guaranteed

Some women’s sports bars are cashing in. Others are clawing for funding.
June 27, 2025

Shitposters Have Taken the Reins of Pro Sports’ Official Voices

Meet the social media pros turning sports teams into internet trolls.

Everything You Need to Know About EA’s Return to College Basketball Video..

There hasn’t been a college basketball game in more than 15 years.
July 1, 2025

Big Ten Commish Still Pushes for 4 Auto CFP Bids in 16-Team..

The conference wants four guaranteed spots in the Playoff.
Ohio State
July 1, 2025

Collectives Funnel $20 Million to College Athletes on Last Day Before Revenue..

Collectives frontloaded payments just before the revenue sharing era begins July 1.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
June 30, 2025

College Sports Revenue-Sharing Underway As More Changes Loom

July 1 marks the first day schools can directly pay players.
June 30, 2025

Pac-12 Hits Football Membership Threshold With Texas State Entry

The school is paying $5 million to leave the Sun Belt Conference.
Mar 23, 2025; Raleigh, NC, USA; Baylor Bears guard Jeremy Roach (3) reacts after a play during the first half against the Duke Blue Devils in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Lenovo Center.
June 26, 2025

Power Four Put Finishing Touches on How Revenue Sharing Era Will Work

The agreement stipulates that schools can’t sue to challenge any terms of the settlement.
June 26, 2025

Pac-12 Rebuild Nears Completion With 2026 Texas State Addition

The Sun Belt school is likely joining the Pac-12 in 2026.