Rarely do I agree with California Governor Gavin Newsome, but I will give him credit for opening the floodgates of a long-overdue conversation in college athletics, the usage of the student-athletes name, image and likeness, or NIL in our vernacular.
There is a lot of wailing, weeping and gnashing of teeth, some justified and some not, from many of the leadership in college athletics, but today, lets focus on what could be a positive and watershed moment for the current and future of student-athletes, especially non-revenue sports and athletics at all Division I, III and III schools.
Let’s start this conversation in the court of public opinion. The NCAA could do itself a lot of favors in the court of public opinion by embracing this issue instead of denying it. Most of the general public (and polling will reinforce this) agree student-athletes should be able to monetize their NIL no differently than any other college student who does not play college athletics...
Thompson's point of view, formed from working nearly four decades in and around collegiate athletics, starting with his days as a student-assistant in The Auburn University Sports Information Department during the days of Bo Jackson and Charles Barkley. Thompson is a passionate advocate for career development among student-athletes and thinks that NIL could be a big factor in helping many student-athletes gain internships, career advancement, and job placement. He recently lectured to Auburn University student-athletes and the AuburnYOU program, which is a professional development initiative.
Thompson uses the Auburn University Women's Equestrian team as a great example of how NIL and social media could be used in a positive manner to help position these student-athletes for careers in the equine industry, governing bodies or other relevant and endemic industries. In particular, non-revenue sports at every university could receive a major pr boost and new revenue for sports who otherwise struggle to generate revenue. This could also take the pressure off of athletic departments who are otherwise strained and struggle to provide funds and resources for non-revenue sports.
