nil in arizonA

Arizona is among some of the first states to implement NIL eligibility into high school sports. As many other states follow in Arizona’s footsteps, the state still is working to perfect what student-athletes can and cannot do in regards to NIL. Across this map, key high schools are pinned to showcase their different styles of implementation. There are also universities listed to show how NIL is being used in college, and what is seeping down into lower levels of athletics. Finally, there are school district offices listed to show how different areas are governing.

NIL’s

HISTORY

The world of college athletics has been rocked in the last 5 years. Since the implementation of NIL across the NCAA, it seems like college sports have lost the “student” in “student-athlete”. But the journey to where NIL is today, was not a quick or easy path. In the timeline below, the entire history of college athletics and money is examined.

NIL is a broad term used to discuss the multitude of ways that players are now making money in college.

But when looked at closer, this money is no longer just coming from athletes advertising themselves.

after the landmark ruling in House v. ncaa, most of the money in college athletics now comes from the schools themselves.

Even more interesting, is the fact that most athletes barely benefit from nil.

Nearly 60% of college athletes made only around $100 from NIL sources prior to house v. ncaa.

with 2025 being the first year players could be paid to play, these numbers could change.

However, the most likely outcome is that the top 1% will have made more, while the bottom 60%-75% will have remained the same.