The best 12 college football Playoff teams' rosters were more important than other teams across the country. Media and technology company On3 estimates the 12 groups are worth a combined $150 million.
“What has happened over the years is more and more money is flowing into these universities,” Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., said.
Tuberville, who is also a former college football coach, has a law that aims to solve what others argue it is an unstable field.
“The problem was, in 2021 the Supreme Court said, 'Okay, we see this case, and we agree with the athletes. They need to be able to make money on the name, the image and the shape,'” the said Tuberville. “It went downhill from there. And there were no rules set on it. It was just the wild, wild West.”
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Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., is a former college football coach. (Anna Moneymaker/File)
Schools whose football players earn the most NIL seem to be successful on the field. Most of the teams that qualified for the college football playoffs also had some of the most valuable rosters.
“There is a group within a group of schools across the country that have the best practices, the best practices, the best fundraising, the best deals with most of the business involved,” said Rob Sine, CEO of Blueprint Sports, an agency that oversees several teams. donor groups across the country. “They would form a team, and put together a group of very rich people and create a budget and help their coach for their favorite sport.”
Schools that took advantage of the early opportunity to form teams and had systems in place were able to move forward.
“Football is really the only sport that makes a lot of money in the intersports. Basketball is next, maybe minor league baseball,” Auburn men's basketball coach Bruce Pearl said. “Most of the NIL's money is and will go to the sports that make money. And because of that, our Olympic sports are completely in jeopardy.”
Bruce Pearl (Andy Lyons/Getty Images/File)
The 2024 season had even higher numbers with the first extended playoff period. The 13-member college football selection committee ranked the top 25 teams. Twelve schools earned playoff berths, but not all were among top 12 teams. The team has produced five conference championship game winners, the most in nine major conferences. Those included Atlantic Coast ConferenceThe Big 10, Big 12 and Southeastern Conference from the Power Four. Team Five were also eligible. These include the American Athletic Conference, Conference USA, Mid-American Conference, Mountain West Conference and Sun Belt Conference.
Power Four conference schools typically have larger budgets and television ratings than other college sports programs. A team from each of the Power Four Conferences earned a berth in the playoffs. Boise State of the Mountain West was the only team to qualify out of 62 schools across the Group of Five Conferences. The group also has the highest ranking of NIL income over 62 other schools.
“Different programs have come out of there and had a big impact,” said Sine. “Right now, money is driving college sports and schools are looking, 'Where can I have the best opportunity to grow.'
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In the 2024 season, several teams changed conferences for access to more money and more competition. Southern Methodist University left America for the ACC and ended up losing to Clemson in the conference championship game. Clemson has the most NIL revenue among ACC teams. Despite being ranked 16th, the team was rewarded by winning the ACC championship game. The Tigers eventually lost in the first round of the playoffs to Texas. SMU also made the playoff bracket but lost in the first game to Penn State.
“It's about opportunity. And you're already starting to see that there's a lot of discussion about whether it could be a Super League or two. And you're starting to see a lot of joking around, 'Hey, I want to be there,'” Sine said.
Oklahoma and Texas moved to the SEC. Texas lost the championship game to Georgia but will play Big 12 champion Arizona State in the second game of the playoffs. SEC teams had some of the highest quality teams. Georgia was one of the NIL's top-grossing teams. Texas has a very expensive roster and is also projected to have one of the best recruiting classes for the 2025-2026 season.
Arizona State celebrates after defeating Iowa State (Photos/File by Jerome Miron-Imagn)
“We were late to the party and paid our student-athletes well. We're here now. We just have to find a way to make it work for everyone,” Pearl said. “I think we need federal help so that each state doesn't do it on its own, and we're not going to have a true NCAA champion.”
Oregon won the Big Ten Championship game and went undefeated for the season. The Ducks were originally part of the Pac-12, which split into the ACC, Big 10 and Big 12. Oregon will face another Big Ten member in the second round of the playoffs, the Ohio State Buckeyes. . Although Oregon has a better record, Ohio State ranked in the top ten in NIL revenue.
Arizona State is another early member of the Pac-12. It has moved to the Big 12 for the 2024-2025 season. The Sun Devils won the Big 12 Championship game and earned a bid to the playoffs. However, their list was not the most expensive in the conference. Colorado players earned the most money. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders is also estimated to be the highest paid NIL athlete in the country. He is the son of Colorado's former head coach two NFL-MLB players Deion Sanders.
“There's been a lot of athletic production from day one. They've been rising to the top and they've been making a lot of money because they bring more star power than any other team does, or they spent a long time building their name,” said Sine.
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Blueprint Sports manages Colorado's 5430 Alliance team. While the team didn't earn a playoff spot, a number of top players are on the roster, including Sanders, who is projected to be a first-round pick. Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter also earned fame and millions in the NIL for playing almost every time for the team as a wide receiver on offense and a defensive back.
“There are star athletes who have organizations behind them to do big deals with them. There are athletes who are still there, and then there are athletes who are good, you know, enjoying themselves. to do anything according to NIL's opinion,” said Sine.
Colorado wide receiver Travis Hunter scores a first-half touchdown against Central Florida on Sept. 28, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Conferences have helped other playoff schools sign big deals. Ohio State's 1870 Association has a partnership with the Giant Eagle retail chain. Nike co-founder Phil Knight launched Oregon's Division Street Collective. Tennessee quarterback Nico Lamaleava received an $8 million deal from Spyre Sports before signing with the Volunteers.
“I think where the red flag comes up is a lot of money being paid to high school seniors going into college sports who have never played a junior game or a minute of college sports before, and you don't know what you want. 'I'll get it,' said Sine.
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Texas One Fund combines five separate NIL funds and is thought to be the richest in the nation. It gave Quarterback Quinn Ewers a private jet and every offensive lineman $50,000 a year.
“What we want to do is try to make sure that everyone has access to whatever they can get. But when you take money, you have to sign a contract,' and you must be willing to do so.” Tuberville said. “I know for sure that some universities, they bring Lamborghinis and Corvettes and put them in front of their office building when they bring these people in. It's completely changed. It's a lot of money. It's sports. minor league, that's right now.”