Brian Kelly has signified support for the little guy in college football despite coaching one of the most prominent programs in the sport. LSU's head coach said the NCAA system is at risk of implosion because of recent developments in name, image and likeness (NIL) rules for players.
As of July 1, 2021, college players in all sports can receive commercial payments to cash in on their fame. Previously, the NCAA banned amateur athletes from making any money. The new NIL rule has enabled programs with wealthy donors to promise recruits financial windfalls, which critics such as Kelly say will deepen talent disparities between teams.
Kelly joined SEC leaders in a recent trip to D.C. to ask lawmakers to regulate NIL payments. He hopes a bill draft will be put in front of Congress by the end of July, or "we'll know that they can't produce something."
