AROUND NIL THIS WEEK | MAY 12, 2025
- Golf NIL
- May 12
- 2 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
May 14, 2025—Nick Saban isn’t convinced a presidential commission is the answer for college sports’ NIL and transfer portal challenges, even after being named as a possible co-chair by President Trump. On The Paul Finebaum Show, Saban said, “I don’t know a lot about the commission. Secondly, I’m not sure we really need a commission.” He pointed out that many in college football already understand the problems and what it would take to solve them, suggesting real progress comes from collaboration among those directly involved. Saban reiterated he supports athletes making money from their name, image, and likeness, but called the current system unsustainable and not in the best interest of student-athletes or the sport. His skepticism has added a new layer of uncertainty to the commission’s future.
May 15, 2025—Charles Barkley recently criticized the current NIL system in college sports, calling it "the stupidest thing I've ever heard." He admitted to giving Auburn money "legal or illegal" in the past, highlighting the blurred lines before NIL was legalized. Barkley argued that expecting boosters to pay millions annually for athletes—who might leave after a year—is unsustainable and unfair. He supports players getting paid but refuses to contribute to Auburn's NIL fund under the current model, saying there's little return for donors and that the system has turned college athletics into a "cesspool." His blunt comments have sparked controversy for both his admission of past rule-breaking and harsh critique of the NCAA and the NIL landscape.
Charles Barkley at the 2022 American Century Championship Pro-Am | ZUMA Press/Alamy
May 16, 2025—Ohio’s HB 184, recently passed unanimously by the House, sets new boundaries for NIL deals in college sports. The bill ensures student-athletes keep control of their name, image, and likeness after their college eligibility ends—no more long-term contracts that reach into their professional futures. Agents and companies are barred from locking athletes into deals that outlast their college eligibility. There’s no ceiling on how much athletes can earn during their college careers; the law focuses on fair terms and protecting athletes from exploitative agreements. Agents must follow these new guidelines, prioritizing transparency and athlete rights. Ohio’s bill aims to give student-athletes the freedom to benefit from NIL opportunities now and keep their rights for whatever comes next.
