Clemson HC Dabo Swinney clarifies Clemson’s NIL stance, player pay, not professionals

Dabo Swinney explains why he supports revenue sharing for Clemson players but remains firmly against fully “professionalizing” college football, insisting student-athletes still have real academic demands.

Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney shakes hands Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, ahead of the NCAA football game against the Duke Blue Devils at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina. | Alex Martin/Greenville News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn ImagesWhen Swinney used the word “pay” while discussing players, reporters jumped. He quickly clarified his language — and his long-held stance.

“Yeah, and you, as RevShare, that’s what we have,” he said. “You have to pay — it’s RevShare. You should…