Wow! That’s pretty impressive! I’m curious to see the backside of this NIL world in about 10 years when 99% of these kids never made it to the NFL. What kinds of life skills did they learn while in college and how can they apply them to their new lives of mediocrity. Can’t help but feel like they’re pawns in a plan to make the rich and greedy even richer at the expense of their development as young men
I don't disagree with your conclusions, but it's no different than it was before NIL, right? The truck may not be the most practical, and the kid is going to have to pay tax, but the 10s or 100s of thousands in cash also being doled out can definitely help a kid bridge the gap from the end of their playing life to their working life.
Some will waste the money and opportunity, but there should also be a number of kids that are better off than the past. Some would've come out with only a college degree in the past (nothing to sneeze at), but now they may have a nest egg to help them start their working life without worrying about how to pay for food/rent.
Keep in mind, the Ivy League now allows NIL. In the past, the alums used to get cushy part time and summer jobs for players. Now they'll be able to flat-out pay them. Savvy kids and/or parents are going to be able to use NIL to set themselves up nicely. I think schools should hire investment advisers to give some guidance on the options and ramifications for the money they are getting. I'm sure some advisers would do it cheap in order to get an in with potential high earning athletes (or college grads).