The college football offseason is here, finally closing the book on a wild season that kicked off in Dublin five months back. Now that the games are over, off-field drama is about to ramp up—especially around Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) contracts and whether they even hold up.
There’s a lot to unpack: the recent settlement between Duke and quarterback Darian Mensah, what NIL deals really mean, and the bigger picture with the College Football Playoff (CFP) and revenue sharing caps. It’s a lot, honestly.
The Duke and Darian Mensah Settlement
Big news out of Durham: Duke and QB Darian Mensah have finally settled their contract dispute. Mensah, who’s repped by Young Money APAA Sports, is now free to hit the transfer portal. Miami’s probably where he’s headed, if you believe the buzz.
This settlement is just another chapter in the ongoing fight over how enforceable these NIL contracts actually are.
Implications for NIL Contracts
The Duke-Mensah situation really shines a light on how messy NIL contracts can get. Duke says it’s all about honoring promises to student-athletes, but also wants these agreements to mean something—otherwise, what’s the point?
If anyone can just pay more and buy out a contract, do these deals even matter? That’s the question hanging in the air.
And it’s not just Duke. Washington’s Demond Williams had a similar standoff, but he ended up staying put thanks to the Big Ten’s strict, standardized contracts with tough buyouts. The ACC doesn’t have that kind of structure, as Mensah’s case shows.
The Role of Boosters and NIL Deals
NIL deals have totally changed the college football landscape. Miami’s a perfect example of this shift.
Booster John Ruiz, through his company LifeWallet, has poured over $20 million into Miami’s program—most of it going straight to football. That influx of cash has lined up with Miami’s return to the national spotlight and a championship appearance.
John Ruiz’s Contributions
Ruiz’s involvement in Miami football is a case study in NIL power. With his legal background, he’s managed to navigate the tricky world of NIL rules and set up a system that works for both players and the university.
His money has played a huge part in Miami’s recent run. You can feel the energy around the program now, too—it’s like the old swagger is back, especially with Coach Mario Cristobal leading the way.
College Football Playoff Expansion
The CFP is sticking with 12 teams for 2026. Expansion talk is still swirling, though.
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey wants a “5+11” format, while Big Ten boss Tony Petitti is pushing for a 24-team field with more automatic qualifiers. Not exactly seeing eye to eye there.
Revenue Sharing Cap
The revenue sharing cap is another hot topic. Miami AD Dan Radakovich made his case against it during recent meetings, arguing for more transparency and public disclosure instead of hard limits.
He thinks the market should decide spending, but says transparency is key if you want any kind of competitive balance.
The College Sports Commission (CSC) is trying to enforce the cap and investigate any schools working around it. Whether they can actually pull that off is still up in the air.
The CFP as an Industry Event
The CFP has become way more than just a football game. It’s a full-on industry gathering now.
Every year, you’ll find the 10 FBS commissioners, TV execs, consultants, and plenty of other power players at the championship. This year’s crowd included Mark Cuban, David Blitzer, Josh Harris, and a bunch of other big names.
Merchandise Sales and Sponsorships
The CFP championship game just smashed its own record for merchandise sales. Legends reported an 18% jump over the previous high, which is nothing to sneeze at.
On top of that, the NCAA’s new rule lets Division I programs start selling ad space on uniforms and equipment beginning August 1. Jersey patch sponsorships are now on the table, and LSU has already dipped a toe into that pool.
For more details, check out the original article on Sports Business Journal.
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