How NIL and Transfer Portals Transform Non-Revenue College Sports

In a recent digital exclusive from the Oklahoma Chronicle, host Evan Onstot digs into the impact of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rules and the transfer portal on college sports.

He’s joined by Oklahoma State Senator Todd Gollihare and Bobby Lepak, a professor at OU’s Price College of Business. Their conversation touches on both the good and the not-so-good of these changes, especially for non-revenue and women’s sports.

This blog post looks at how NIL and the transfer portal are shaking up college athletics. There’s a lot to unpack—some benefits, some headaches, and a handful of legislative efforts that try to keep things in check.

The NIL Revolution: A Double-Edged Sword

NIL rules have turned college athletics on its head, letting student-athletes finally profit from their own brands. That’s opened doors, especially for athletes in sports that don’t usually get much TV time—women’s sports included.

Opportunities for Female Athletes

Female athletes have become a hot ticket for NIL deals. Brands want to work with them, seeing their influence and loyal followers as valuable.

This shift has led to endorsement deals that just weren’t possible before. Bobby Lepak notes that female athletes appeal to brands because they’re often seen as role models, and their fans tend to have more spending power.

Programs like OU’s women’s softball have gained visibility, turning their success into real financial wins—not just trophies or titles.

Challenges and Concerns

But it’s not all smooth sailing. Female athletes sometimes get the short end of the stick, especially when broad legal settlements gloss over their unique needs.

There’s also this nagging worry that chasing money could distract from what college sports are supposed to be about—education, personal growth, and, ideally, earning a degree.

The Transfer Portal: Freedom or Chaos?

The transfer portal has given student-athletes more freedom to jump between programs. It’s supposed to offer more choices, but it’s also made things a bit unpredictable.

Teams now deal with constant roster changes, and coaches can’t always count on their lineups sticking around.

Increased Mobility and Its Impacts

Athletes can now transfer to find better fits or chase bigger opportunities. But this freedom can turn teams into revolving doors, making it tough to build chemistry.

Senator Gollihare points out that the old-school college spirit and loyalty might be fading as transfers become the norm.

Proposed Solutions

Some folks have tossed out ideas to rein in the chaos. For example, capping the number of times an athlete can transfer.

The SCORE Act would let athletes enter the transfer portal just once, unless there’s a coaching change or something similar. Tightening up the transfer calendar might also help calm things down.

Federal and State Legislation: Striking a Balance

Rules around NIL and the transfer portal are still in flux. Both federal and state lawmakers are trying to find a sweet spot that doesn’t wreck what makes college sports special.

State-Level Initiatives

Oklahoma has jumped in early with NIL laws aimed at giving student-athletes a fair shot. These efforts could end up shaping national rules, making sure NIL benefits don’t just go to a select few.

Federal Legislation and the SCORE Act

On the federal side, the SCORE Act tries to get everyone on the same page with NIL and transfer rules. The goal is to keep schools from pouring all their resources into football and men’s basketball.

It’s also about building a fair system for every student-athlete, no matter their sport or how much attention they get.