The pursuit of more revenue is making news this week in college football, which makes it just like most weeks in the sport. The Tennessee Volunteers rolled out a 10% “talent fee” tacked onto tickets to bolster its NIL payments to athletes. Meanwhile, the Atlantic Coast Conference is considering weighted revenue distributions according to TV ratings, an attempt to mollify litigious members Florida State and Clemson.
What they’re doing is understandable. Tennessee is striking while the program is red hot, shifting part of its NIL approach from please donate to you WILL donate if you want to keep coming to Neyland Stadium. The ACC, Florida State and Clemson are trying to make peace after a year of battling by financially rewarding their most powerful brands.
