'Name, image likeness’ pay will take Iowa college sports on a wild ride

What is NIL? An affliction? Maybe the news has told you and if it hasn’t, read it here. NIL is an acronym for Name, Image and Likeness. The NCAA, through its bylaws has long barred individuals from participating in intercollegiate athletics if they received compensation. That's all about to change. Hold on to your spectator seats because college sports are going to take you on a wild ride.

It’s anybody’s guess on how it will all work. It will be expensive, cumbersome, fair and unfair, with regulations intimidating a Philadelphia lawyer. Try and imagine what players to pay, and how much, and the mix master of those who are paid vs those who are not. We are talking about money issues and when money is a factor there’s a problem in River City. Look at professional sports and think money isn’t a problem.

There seems to be a much larger problem that isn’t being discussed. Athletes want money for their talents but what about the non-athletes with little or no money? They also have talent and the where-with-all to fulfill their lives.

Let’s be fair about this. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander. These folks have the rest of their lives to earn big bucks. I’m of the old school thinking education is what you receive from it and then go out and put it to work.

John Carver

Decorah