The original 12 college football playoff team rosters were worth more than most other teams across the country, with a combined total of around $150 million, according to On3. This has led to concerns about an unlevel playing field in college athletics, with some schools having a significant advantage over others.
The issue came to a head in 2021, when the Supreme Court ruled that athletes should be able to profit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL). However, there were no rules in place to regulate this new landscape, leading to a “wild, wild West” scenario, according to Senator Tommy Tuberville, a former college football coach who has introduced legislation to address the issue.
Tuberville and others argue that the current system favors wealthy schools with strong fundraising and corporate deals, leading to an unfair competitive imbalance. “There is a class within the class of schools across the country that have the best infrastructure, the best systems, the best fundraising, the best corporate deals involved,” said Rob Sine, CEO of Blueprint Sports.
The 2024 season saw a significant shift, with teams that formed collectives or had strong booster clubs getting a head start. “The vast majority of the NIL money is and will be going to the sports that are making the money. And as a result, our Olympic sports are absolutely in jeopardy,” said Auburn men’s basketball coach Bruce Pearl.
The move to a 13-member college football playoff selection committee has only exacerbated the issue, with some schools using their resources to buy their way into the top 12. “It’s about opportunity. And you’re also starting to see there’s a lot of conversation about what could be a Super League or two. And you’re starting to see a lot of jockeying happening for, ‘Hey, I want to be there,'” Sine said.
The situation has led to a significant amount of player movement, with schools like Oklahoma and Texas moving to the SEC, and Southern Methodist University shifting from the American to the ACC. The Power Four conferences – the ACC, Big 10, Big 12, and Southeastern Conference – have traditionally had a significant advantage in revenue and television viewership, but even they are feeling the impact of the changing landscape.
In the end, many argue that the current system is unsustainable, with too much money flowing to a select few. “It’s about an elite crop of athletes since day one. They have always risen to the top and have always made the most money because they bring a lot more star power than necessarily the rest of the team does, or they spent a long time building their brand,” Sine said.
