NIL is going to be a good thing for Notre Dame football

A little over a month ago, EA announced they were bringing back the college football video game, something that brought glee to fans of the Notre Dame football program. Once upon a time, lawsuits over using player’s images without paying them, which they couldn’t due to NCAA rules, ended the game. As they’re bringing it back, they announced that they won’t be using the player’s name image, or likeness in the game, to prevent further NIL issues.

Notre Dame, among other schools now, has already announced that they won’t be in the game due to concerns over NIL.

Of course, in reality, Notre Dame isn’t out of the game due to NIL issues, or not wanting to be in the game. They’re out of the game to align themselves with the player’s rights movement, and this, in turn, makes them a more attractive location for recruits.

Player’s rights have become a hot button issue, from the one-time transfer rule, to how coaches treat players and NIL. For Notre Dame, it has become a decision that is important to them, for several reasons. However, the fact is that NIL in particular is great for Notre Dame. They should embrace it because it will help them land elite talent now and in the future.

Just like the one-time transfer rule is coming, new rules around NIL are coming, and that’s a good thing. It’s ridiculous you can wear an Ian Book jersey, and he sees none of the money you paid for it, or Kyren Williams can’t take $5 for an autograph.

It’s even ridiculous Kyle Hamilton can’t appear in a car dealership’s ad, because it frankly does not affect them as a student or as an athlete. There is already a handful of teams who hoard talent, and NIL would likely open up that talent to go around the country, as it would give players tons of opportunity.

Notre Dame is a national brand

Notre Dame, being a national and not a regional brand, stands to gain a ton from NIL. Players could come to Notre Dame, succeed, and have a more noteworthy brand than they would by going to most other schools. NIL is good for players, good for most schools, and it would certainly be good for Notre Dame.

Some coaches who don’t want to adjust to a new way of recruiting or doing business may cry that this is a bad thing, and there should certainly be some oversight into making sure that boosters aren’t just buying players. But, at the end of the day, aren’t the boosters at places like Clemson already buying players? So, what’s really the difference?

This change is happening too. Many states are making it legal, like Florida who will allow NIL starting the summer of 2021. If you’re keeping track, that’s before next season starts, and that also includes seven FBS programs.

They’re not the only state heading in that direction. This is the result of the NCAA punting on the issue because they were scared of change, not that this change would cost them any money. In fact, more visibility could help raise money if anything. It’s just the slight loss of power and change that the higher-ups fear.

So, they have punted to the federal government, where it is expected that NIL is made legal throughout the United States. That’s important because it would be unfair if only some schools could offer full NIL rights.

So, one way or another, NIL will be here soon-before the college football video game even. Possibly, as soon as later in March 2021. Notre Dame recognizes how they can benefit from this and they’re already taking advantage, embracing progress, and leading the way as a program.