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BLOOMINGTON, Indiana (March 26, 2024) - Indiana University athletes scramble for NIL deals to gain a competitive advantage over their teammates. 

It was the first Monday afternoon after a long and cold winter season when the sun's warmth started to set inside Indiana University's Football Stadium. The collegiate football players were conditioning and ready to start their preseason training. While it may have seemed like an everyday practice, the talk of discussion was the amount each player was receiving via NIL deals. 

NIL, also known as Name, Image, and Likeness, is an opportunity for college athletes to earn compensation as paid endorsers and capitalize on their achievements beyond university funding. As NIL deals continue redefining the landscape of collegiate athletics, questions about their impact on team dynamics, player interactions, and overall performance are at the forefront of discussions among coaches, athletes, and sports analysts. However, some need to realize the tension NIL has created amongst teammates in the locker room. 

To support these activities, money is generated by what is referred to as "revenue sports," which generally include only football, men's basketball, and, at some schools, women's basketball. The revenues generated from all sources from these sports, including broadcasting, ticket sales, donations, sponsorships, etc., are used to cover the costs of all "non-revenue sports" like baseball, softball, tennis, rowing, gymnastics, etc. 

Drawing parallels to professional sports, the introduction of NIL deals in college athletics has begun mirroring the economic disparities found within professional locker rooms. Top earners often find themselves in a different financial stratosphere than walk-ons and players on rookie contracts, leading to a complex environment of jealousy. Stories of older players supporting rookies facing financial pressures have emerged, a testament to the team spirit that can transcend economic differences. However, these disparities also introduce challenges of mistreatment and hazing, highlighting the potential pitfalls of this new era. NIL deals can create animosity in this context because the athletes chasing these endorsements to support themselves financially often do not want to spend it on their teammates. However, when your peers know the type of money you bring in, some might assume you are financially stable to splurge on that random Tuesday team outing.

The pursuit of individual endorsement opportunities through NIL deals undoubtedly has the potential to impact team culture and chemistry. Balancing the celebration of individual success with the team's collective spirit is a delicate task. While this side is not seen outside the locker room, tensions rise as only a select few teammates receive deals. Some athletes with less drive and experience are getting paid more than those with higher talent. 

"It definitely caused some problems with my teammates. Some felt they were better than me and should be getting more deals than I should." Jamari Sharpe, a current sophomore defensive back for the IU Football team, shared his difficulties while navigating this new territory. 

The role of coaching staff in navigating these dynamics cannot be overstated. Managing player relationships, ensuring equitable treatment, and fostering a positive team environment are crucial in mitigating performance issues and maintaining strong team chemistry. Coaching strategies are evolving to address these new challenges as some players secure lucrative NIL deals while others still need to. 

Despite these hurdles, the consensus among sports insiders is that the advent of NIL deals represents a net positive shift from the previous system, which many viewed as inherently unfair. The significant earnings were historically out of reach for the athletes themselves, leading to calls for reform. 

However, concerns remain about the long-term impact of NIL deals, particularly regarding the influence of external entities on coaching decisions and organizational integrity. The potential for increased disparity among Division I schools, with wealthier institutions pulling further ahead, poses a risk to the competitive balance within the NCAA. 

Ryan Garfatt, a former ESPN senior editor for over ten years, explains that it's currently the Wild West: "Similar to inequality in the locker room causing issues inside a team, inequality in Division One can cause issues within the NCAA. The rich schools will get richer, and the schools on the outside will have an even more difficult time keeping up competitively and thus financially." 

The impact of NIL on teams and team performance has yet to be fully realized. Of course, there will likely be some jealousy issues when high-profile position players receive NIL deals. This can be exacerbated by individual players' use of the NCAA "transfer portal" in football, where a star player leaves his current team to join another because of a more lucrative NIL deal. 

"We want people donating money to NIL because kids do not care about facilities or coaching…they care about getting paid." Dr. Calvio, director of the National Sports Journalism Center at IU, stated that this has become the new equivalent of being a "free agent" in the pro ranks. 

As the NCAA and its member institutions navigate this new landscape, the evolution of NIL deals will continue to shape the future of college athletics, in and outside the locker rooms. With thoughtful regulation and a focus on fairness, the potential for NIL to benefit student-athletes and enrich the collegiate sports environment is vast. While some may support this new way of endorsements, it is up to debate whether or not these deals will tear these teammate relationships apart in the future.

Project By: Olivia Zarro, Gracie Westlake, and She’Riah Washington