(ANALYSIS) In 1961, Auburn University turned down the Gotham Bowl because the date of the bowl (Dec. 2) conflicted with Auburn’s end-of-quarter exams. Ohio State University rejected a bid to play in the Rose Bowl because faculty feared the school was turning into a “football factory.”

Them days are long gone.

OSU’s athletic budget has grown from $1.7 million in 1961 to around $280 million. Tack on $20 million recently raised for NIL (name, image and likeness) rights for football players. NIL allows players to profit from their personal brands by endorsing products, making appearances and signing autographs.

This $20 million is largely why OSU was No. 1 in recruiting this year as well as No. 1 in players transferring to the school. It’s also why OSU handily beat Akron yesterday 52-6. This $20 million OSU pays its players exceeds Akron’s entire football budget. Money talks.

Of course, OSU is not alone in NIL. According to On3 NIL Valuation, Shedeur Sanders — the son of Colorado University Coach Deion Sanders — has an estimated worth of $4.7 million. This has afforded him a nice car collection, including a Corvette Stingray (purchased for $60,000), Lamborghini Urus ($250,000), Rolls Royce Cullinan ($375,000), Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600 ($80,000), Mercedes EQB ($55,000) and a Dodge Durango Hellcat.

Players might be giddy over the money they’re making, but some coaches are concerned about team dynamics when a few at the top (NIL players) make far more than the rest of the team, a situation similar to the widening CEO-to-worker pay gap.

That’s why the NCAA is considering paying all players — and why Oklahoma State announced it will outfit all of its football helmets with a QR code, allowing fans at home to donate to a general player fund. 

I wonder whether Oklahoma State will pressure broadcasters to train their cameras on the back of players’ helmets.

Money talks, you know.

To read the rest of Michael Metzger’s post, please visit his Substack page.

Michael Metzger is the president and founder of The Clapham Institute, which consults ministries and nonprofits.