Leverage the Chaos

Momentum is a basic law of physics. Once something starts moving, momentum can continue to build, which is exactly what is happening right now in college sports. The inertia was broken with the creation of the CSC and NIL Go. Since then, the momentum has shifted to the power conferences, which have finally ripped control of the big NIL money away from collectives.

The ripple effect didn’t take long. SANIL was struggling before the CSC, so no one was surprised when they shut their doors. Now Arkansas announced they are ending their partnership with Blueprint Sports, the company that was supposed to rescue SANIL. The Razorbacks are taking their NIL in-house. This will most likely be the first of many D1 programs that will look to cut out the middleman over the next few years.

So how does all this chaos impact student-athletes?

When change happens at the top of any organization, the employees react in a lot of different ways. The most common reaction is anxiety. They worry that it will impact their income, their ability to move up, or even lose their job.

Others see it as an opportunity. When change happens, new leaders may be more willing to look at what is happening with an open mind, try new things, and take greater risks.

For student-athletes, turnover in the leadership of your team can be an opportunity to improve your playing time, NIL opportunities, or even change programs. PSU is a perfect example.

Shortly after James Franklin was fired, Lavar Keys, an incoming freshman wideout in 2026, pulled his commitment. Kemon Spell, a 2027 five-star running back, reopened his recruitment, as did 2027 offensive tackle Layton von Brandt. Gabe Jenkins, a 2027 defensive safety, also decommitted.

When change happens, it’s important to understand exactly what is happening before making decisions. If change is happening around you, there are some basic steps you can take to take advantage.

Change creates temporary negotiation power. While it is happening the school, sponsors, and partners will be looking for leadership and stability. As an athlete, you can increase your value to the program by taking some simple steps:

No Hometown Discount:
The buyout was not negotiated down. The reported amount of $48.6 million is the full amount remaining on the contract. This is the second-largest buyout in college sports history, second only to Jimbo Fisher’s $77 million buyout from Texas A&M.

No Lump Sum:
PSU will make monthly payments for the rest of the term of the contract, which expires in 2031. There is an offset clause that will reduce the total amount if Franklin accepts another coaching job. All in, he was making around $7.5 million per year.

Lost Incentives:
The contract included incentives for winning the Big Ten Championship game ($350,000), making the College Football Playoffs ($400,000), and winning the National Championship ($800,000), all of which seem highly unlikely, although if they run the table, who knows what will happen.

The College Sports Commission has opened a new anonymous tip line for reporting possible NIL rule violations, and it is already changing the way athletes, schools, and collectives think. The idea behind it sounds simple enough. It is about transparency, accountability, and keeping the system fair. But in reality, it adds another layer of tension to an already complicated NIL world.

This new tip line means anyone from a teammate to a rival or even a fan can send in a report if they think something looks off. For athletes, that turns the gray areas of NIL into something serious. A small mistake on a contract, a post that forgets to mention it is sponsored, or an appearance that was not properly documented could raise questions or even spark an investigation. What used to be a quick handshake deal now needs paperwork and proof that everything is legitimate.

It is not about fear. It is about being smart. Athletes should take time to understand what they are signing, keep copies of every agreement, and ask their compliance office or agent to look over anything that feels uncertain. The best protection right now is preparation. Schools are offering more NIL education, but the responsibility still sits with each athlete to make sure every deal is above board.

There have been a lot of reports on the struggles of NIL Go to process deals in a timely manner. Remember, in the end you are responsible for accepting NIL money, and if the deal is not approved, there could be repercussions. Beyond the Power Four, athletes have fewer resources and must rely on their own network to make sure they are staying compliant. Do your research and ask questions before agreeing to any deal.