The Supreme Court’s 2021 decision to allow college athletes to profit from their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) fundamentally changed the landscape of college sports. Initially, the full impact of NIL on the NCAA was uncertain, and even now, nearly four years later, schools and programs are still navigating its effects. The financial opportunities for athletes have grown significantly, influencing recruiting, team dynamics, and player decisions across the country.
At the University of Texas, however, head coach Steve Sarkisian has taken a clear stance on how NIL deals relate to playing time. While NIL has become a major factor in college athletics, Sarkisian does not believe that a lucrative deal should guarantee more time on the field. Instead, his approach prioritizes merit and performance, ensuring that athletes earn their opportunities based on their contributions rather than financial backing.
Steve Sarkisian emphasized his straightforward approach to NIL and playing time, making it clear that financial earnings do not determine a player’s role on the team. Speaking with Colin Cowherd, he acknowledged that while players on Texas’ roster may earn different amounts, their NIL deals have no bearing on how much they see the field.
Instead, Sarkisian stressed that playing time is earned through hard work, discipline, and contributions that help the team succeed. He prioritizes players who perform well both on and off the field and who put the team in the best position to win, reinforcing that success is based on merit rather than financial incentives.
Whether Sarkisian’s stance on NIL and playing time is entirely accurate or only partially true is debatable, but it’s clear that it isn’t completely unfounded. One strong example is Arch Manning, one of the most high-profile NIL athletes in college football, who spent much of the 2024 season as a backup despite his marketability and family name.
Even as Quinn Ewers faced criticism for not meeting the lofty expectations in Austin, Sarkisian stuck with him as the starter, reinforcing the idea that NIL earnings don’t automatically translate to playing time. This decision suggests that, at least in some cases, performance and team dynamics take precedence over financial status in determining who takes the field.
Texas benefits from the fact that, entering the 2024 season, it was among the top programs in NIL spending, trailing only Oregon and Texas A&M, according to 247Sports. With such a strong financial backing, the Longhorns have been able to ensure that top talent across the roster is well-compensated.
As a result, nearly every player who is truly worth playing is likely earning a solid NIL deal, making Sarkisian’s roster decisions a bit more straightforward. This dynamic helps reinforce his stance that playing time is based on performance rather than NIL earnings since most of his key contributors are already receiving significant financial support.
Leave a Reply