NIL is just the latest chapter in the long and uneven history of compensation in college sports

The introduction of name, image, and likeness payments in college sports is just the latest chapter in a long and uneven history of compensating athletes. Since the sport's inception, players have received various forms of payment, including train tickets, walking-around money, and scholarships. These payments were often made under the table for decades.

The NCAA, founded in 1906, was established to address the violence and eligibility issues in college football and establish standards for athletes. However, the organization initially opposed athletic scholarships but later standardized them in 1956, paving the way for changes in athlete compensation. The introduction of name, image, and likeness payments has transformed college sports, allowing schools to share athletic revenue with players and leaders to implement a salary cap.

Despite these changes, the NCAA still faces challenges, particularly in Olympic and women's sports programs, which rely heavily on revenue generated by football and basketball.