Hash #86: Fans to Pay More as Colleges Ramp Up Spending in the NIL Era
💵 Fans Footing the Bill in College Sports' New NIL Era: As players gain the ability to earn through Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, universities are passing some of the costs onto fans, with Tennessee adding a “talent fee” to ticket prices, Arkansas implementing a concession surcharge, and Clemson introducing an athletic fee to tuition bills. The shift reflects a growing financial demand as universities strive to remain competitive in the recruitment “arms race,” with some schools now able to share up to $22 million annually with athletes through revenue from tickets, TV contracts, and other sources. Learn more about the evolving landscape: AP News on NIL and College Boosters.