The landscape of college sports is shifting fast, thanks to the rise of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) regulations. Ed Orgeron, the championship-winning coach, has been especially outspoken about the need for tighter NIL rules—and he’s even called on former President Donald Trump to get involved.
Orgeron worries that, without some guardrails, the sport he loves could end up unrecognizable. So, what’s really going on with NIL, and why’s Trump suddenly in the conversation?
The Changing Landscape of College Sports
With NIL in play, college athletes can finally make money from their own names and images. It’s a big deal, and honestly, it was overdue.
But it’s also brought a mess of new headaches. Orgeron, who led LSU to a national title with Joe Burrow, calls it a “generational shakeup.”
He’s all for players getting paid. Still, he thinks there need to be limits—otherwise, things could spiral.
The Role of NIL in Modern College Sports
NIL lets college athletes cash in through endorsements, sponsorships, and whatever deals they can land. That’s great for them, but it’s also created what Orgeron calls a “wild wild west.”
Coaches are scrambling to keep up with players coming and going, and team stability is getting harder to find. It’s a lot to manage, even for the best programs.
Trump’s Potential Involvement in NIL Regulation
Orgeron wants Trump to step up and help regulate NIL. Trump, for his part, has already called the current state of college sports a “disaster.”
He’s especially concerned about the loss of “lesser” sports and the way football is hogging all the attention and resources. Some colleges are dropping non-revenue sports just to pour more into football, and Trump thinks that’s hurting the whole college sports ecosystem.
Why Trump?
Orgeron figures Trump’s love for football—and his past involvement in sports—makes him a good fit to help sort out NIL. “The more he can step in and stop what’s going on in college football, the better off it’s going to be,” Orgeron says.
He’s not against players getting paid, but he wants a system that works for everyone—athletes and schools alike. Maybe Trump could help bring some balance? It’s a big ask, but who knows.
The Impact on Lesser Sports
One of the biggest worries with NIL is what it means for non-revenue sports. Trump’s pointed out that colleges are axing these programs to focus on football, and it’s costing us future Olympic athletes.
These “beautiful training grounds” are vanishing, and with them, the dreams of a lot of young athletes. It’s a real loss, honestly.
Financial Imbalance
The money gap is getting wider, too. Top football players are making real cash, while athletes in other sports barely see a dime.
Orgeron notes that even now, college athlete earnings don’t come close to what pros like Joe Burrow or Ja’Marr Chase make. There’s still a long way to go in terms of development at the college level.
The Need for Structured Regulations
Both Orgeron and Trump say it’s time for real rules before NIL turns into a full-blown disaster. Orgeron’s big on capping earnings and setting clear guidelines for the transfer portal.
That would help coaches keep their teams together. It could also mean NIL benefits get spread around a bit more fairly.
The Transfer Portal Dilemma
The transfer portal is its own beast. Players can jump schools whenever, and stability is out the window.
Orgeron calls it “crazy.” Coaches are working nonstop to keep up. If the NCAA set some limits, maybe things could settle down, at least a little.
Orgeron’s Vision for the Future
Despite everything, Orgeron’s still hopeful about where college sports can go. He’s teamed up with agent Tzvi Grossman to figure out this new NIL world and is even looking for his next shot in college football.
Orgeron thinks money matters, sure, but at the end of the day, recruiting and player development are what really build a champion.
Recruiting and Development
He’s adamant about it: recruiting and development are the backbone of any great football program. “You still have to recruit, you still have to evaluate, you still have to get the mamas, the champions, all that to have a championship football team,” he says.
NIL brings new incentives, but you can’t skip the hard work of building up players. That’s the part Orgeron’s not ready to let go of—and honestly, who can blame him?
Conclusion
The NIL era has changed college sports in ways that are hard to ignore. There are fresh opportunities on the table, sure, but plenty of new headaches too.
Ed Orgeron thinks more structure is needed, and honestly, he might be onto something. Trump’s name keeps coming up as someone who could get involved—who knows what that would mean for college athletics?
If you’re curious about Orgeron’s thoughts or just want a better handle on what’s happening with NIL, check out the full article on Fox News.
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