The name, image, likeness (NIL) world has changed the college basketball landscape. Top recruits and elite players have already earned significant sums -- sometimes seven figures -- in just the first year of this new era.
The rapid change has also prompted top leaders to push for more NIL opportunities on behalf of their athletes. Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith said this summer it would take $13 million a year to maintain the talent pipeline in Columbus. This is no longer about stadiums and arenas and fancy locker rooms in the race to be the best in college sports.