Lesson 4 of 6
How college NIL works now
When your kid does get to college, the world they’re walking into changed again in 2025 — and it’s no longer the Wild West everyone pictures.
The House settlement (2025)
A landmark legal settlement now lets schools share revenue directly with their athletes — up to roughly $20.5 million per school in the first year, rising over time. There’s back pay for past athletes too. And a new body, the College Sports Commission, was created to enforce the rules around revenue sharing, NIL deals, and roster sizes.
What that means for your kid
- ●Real NIL money at the college level is mostly tied to playing time and to school/collective deals — not random brand fame.
- ●Football rosters were cut to 105 players, so spots are tighter and competition is harder.
- ●It’s regulated money now. There are rules, disclosure, and an enforcement body. Treat it like a job, not a lottery.
The bottom line
College NIL is real and can be life-changing — but it’s earned, regulated, and tied to being good enough to play. The path to it still runs straight through your grades and your game.