• Loading stock data...
Saturday, October 18, 2025

Small-School Problems

  • Division II and III athletic departments want to help their athletes profit off NIL.
  • But the lack of resources makes it more difficult for them to do so.
Photo: Concordia University Chicago Athletics/Design: Alex Brooks

In the world outside college athletics, people can profit off their name, image, and likeness without nearly as many restrictions as the NCAA wanted to implement on athletes.

And many people — including regular college students — do just that, without any help from their institutions.

But it’s no secret that providing educational resources on brand building, financial literacy, and even legal tips can help college athletes make bank on NIL. 

Division II and III athletic departments want to help. But the lack of resources makes it more difficult to do so.

David vs. Goliath?

Small schools are already at a disadvantage. One person in an athletic department may do the job of an entire team at a Power 5 school. So they have fewer personnel to begin with, like social media creators or compliance officers.

Wealthy D-I schools from Nebraska to Tennessee have spent the past year building sprawling NIL programs, hiring consultants for NIL education, content creation, compliance, and more. 

But many D-II and D-III schools can’t afford to enlist a network of NIL companies on their payroll, D-III Concordia University Chicago Director of Athletic Communications, Kristen Keller, told FOS.

Less Money, More Problems

The combination of these factors creates two main problems. 

First, they don’t have access to outside experts who can help them navigate NIL laws — since the NCAA isn’t supplying them. So it’s more difficult for them to teach athletes not just how to monetize their NIL, but also to make sure they’re not violating state or NCAA regulations.

Lipinski said that his department’s compliance office has been able to get some background info in the past few months from his conference. But at the D-III level, “the information that the public has is, as of right now, what the schools have,” Keller said.

And even when they do get educated, they don’t have the money to provide the programs they think athletes need. Even the cheapest NIL education “isn’t something that we budgeted for,” Keller said. 

And schools likely don’t have in-house resources to re-purpose, either.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jason Belzer

College Sports Is ‘Too Big of an Opportunity’

Panelists at the Asset Class summit agreed college sports is the next frontier.
Cignetti

Curt Cignetti Lands Third Contract in Just 19 Games With Indiana

Cignetti signed a new contract five days after Indiana upset Oregon.
Tortillas

Texas Tech-Kansas Tortilla-Knife Mess Ends With $50K in Fines

Texas Tech’s tortilla tradition got both teams in trouble.
Oct 14, 2025; Birmingham, AL, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach John Calipari talks with the media during SEC Media Days at Grand Bohemian Hotel.

SEC Coaches Sound Off on NIL, Revenue-Sharing: ‘Upside Down’

John Calipari doesn’t want to become “transactional.”

Featured Today

How Vanderbilt Went From SEC Doormat to Dark Horse CFP Candidate

After beating LSU, Clark Lea said: “Internally, we expect to win.”
May 27, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) shoots a three point basket over New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the third quarter of game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
October 18, 2025

NBA Stars Swap Wine With League Friends and Foes

A wine-exchange tradition emerged from the bubble season’s close quarters.
May 25, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Derek Jeter walks the red carpet on Sunday, May 25, 2025, ahead of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
October 16, 2025

The Players’ Tribune Is Still Kicking 11 Years Later

Founder Derek Jeter is still closely involved in the publication.
Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with her teammates after her last second shot to take the lead 90-88 against the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Oct. 8, 2025.
exclusive
October 10, 2025

Standoff Over WNBA’s Future Has Dominated Finals

CBA negotiations have stolen the spotlight from the Aces’ dominant performance.
Sep 20, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick walks the sideline during the first quarter against the UCF Knights at the Bounce House Stadium.

Belichick’s UNC Saga Now Includes GM Trip to Saudi Arabia

UNC GM Michael Lombardi traveled to Saudi Arabia earlier this year.
Cody Campbell
October 15, 2025

Texas Tech Booster Cody Campbell Slams Conference PE Deals

Campbell said the concept goes against “all the laws of finance.”
Oct 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Semaj Morgan (0) makes a catch for a first down in the first half against the USC Trojans at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
October 16, 2025

Michigan Board Publicly Opposes Big Ten Investment Proposal

“The Big Ten does not need to be sold to save college sports.”
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Oct 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon (6) takes the ball on a kickoff return in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
October 14, 2025

USC, Michigan Officials Oppose Big Ten’s Private Capital Proposal 

Officials from both schools met virtually on Tuesday.
October 13, 2025

Penn State Could Owe James Franklin Very Little of Buyout

FOS has reviewed Franklin’s 2021 contract extension.
Patrick Kraft
October 13, 2025

Penn State Says Adidas Had No Role in James Franklin Firing or..

Franklin is owed tens of millions of dollars.
October 13, 2025

College Football Coach Firings Nearing $100M in Contract Buyouts

Two other coaches besides James Franklin were fired Sunday.