I have been thinking about where to add some general thoughts on this topic. I realize the NIL money isn’t technically always tied to the university but therein lies the problem. The NCAA use to enforce rules against boosters paying inducements to attend a particular school. If this NIL is really about the name, image and likeness then requiring a player to attend a certain university is still an inducement by that school’s booster then theoretically the NCAA should still enforce it. With the understanding that the booster provided NIL may not go away and is tied to playing for a particular school here are some thoughts:
- If a player is healthy and chooses not to play in a post season game they should have to pay back the tuition, fees, books, room and training table costs for that past semester
- if a player enters the portal without graduating and took NIL money they should be required to pay back their tuition, fees, books, room and training table costs
- if a player becomes academically ineligible they took any NIL funds they should return all tuition for the previous semester and not receive these school provided money (tuition, etc…) until they are once again eligible and if they choose to transfer then again pay back the tuition, etc… consistent with previous points.
My rationale is they received the NIL from boosters because of being affiliated with that university. The university paid costs in good faith that the player would come to their school, contribute athletically and become a true “student” not just an affiliation with the school.
Rant over.