NIL and Gambling: Fairness or a path to destruction?
By: Chris Richmond
If you’re reading this, you’re probably interested in NIL, gambling, or maybe both. As many of us know, there’s a significant rule change coming in college athletics. What was once seen as irresponsible or flat-out wrong is now becoming legal: student-athletes will soon be able to gamble on professional sports. You might wonder, what does this have to do with NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness)? Well, we’re living in a new era of college sports where student-athletes are signing multi-million dollar deals, earning serious money from collectives, and becoming mini-brands of their own. But now, a new wrinkle has been thrown into the mix. Everywhere you look — every game, every commercial, every billboard — sports gambling is being promoted nonstop. And here’s the thing: with more money and more freedom comes more responsibility. This new rule will give student-athletes two choices — either don’t gamble, like they always have (at least publicly), or gamble just like their peers who aren’t athletes. But there’s a gray area here. There are many different people involved in this ruling. I say this as a current Division II athlete myself. I do not get the NIL earnings that a Division I athlete may have access to, which is okay. However, the majority of Division II and Division III athletes are not just raking in money left and right. Many of them work part-time or full-time jobs to afford their gas, rent, and food for the month. We’ve seen countless professional athletes go broke due to poor decision-making — from purchasing massive mansions to making disastrous investments. So who’s to say some college athletes won’t fall into the same trap when it comes to gambling? I’m not against the rule itself. I just hope universities and the support systems around these athletes are ready to help them make wise decisions. NIL money is earned money — they deserve every penny. But financial education and guidance need to be part of the equation. Because let’s be honest — gambling is everywhere now. You can’t escape it. With a smartphone, anyone can place a bet within seconds. And while accessibility might seem exciting, it’s also dangerous. The house always wins. So, to the student-athletes stepping into this new world of freedom and money: stay smart. Learn how to manage your NIL earnings. Understand the risks before jumping in. This rule change is set to take effect on November 1st — it could have significant consequences if athletes aren’t prepared. At the end of the day, it’s your money, your future, and your name on the line. Handle it with care. So is it fairness or a path to financial destruction? We shall see.
Leave a Reply