The concept of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights has revolutionized college sports, offering athletes the ability to monetize their personal brands. However, former Auburn Tigers football player, and others from the broader college sports community, are looking to go beyond just the active players and propose a model that could benefit past athletes who contributed to the sport’s legacy. This proposal seeks to create an avenue for alumni athletes to continue benefiting from their connection to the university and the athletics program, and to promote fairness for those who may have missed out on NIL opportunities during their playing days.
Introduction: The Evolution of NIL in College Sports
The landscape of college sports was forever changed on July 1, 2021, when the NCAA implemented new NIL rules allowing athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness. These changes were a direct response to the growing pressure for athletes to receive compensation beyond their athletic scholarships. Prior to this, student-athletes were prohibited from receiving any form of compensation related to their personal brand, despite the enormous revenues generated by college sports programs.
While NIL rights were a game-changer for current college athletes, many former players felt left out, having been part of a system that restricted their ability to profit during their time in college. They were not only denied the ability to capitalize on their brand while playing, but also missed out on future opportunities as their college careers came to an end.
One former Auburn Tigers football player, recognizing this gap, has proposed a new NIL idea that would enable alumni athletes to benefit from their past involvement with the university’s athletics program. The idea, still in its early stages, has the potential to reshape the way NIL is understood, allowing former athletes to share in the success of their college sports programs.
The Idea: A Legacy Fund for Former Athletes
The central idea behind the former Auburn player’s NIL proposal is the creation of a “Legacy Fund” that would support past athletes, allowing them to benefit from their historical association with the athletics program. The fund would be structured similarly to current NIL deals, but it would be designed to honor the contributions of alumni who were a part of the program before the NIL era.
The Legacy Fund would be based on several core principles:
- Revenue Sharing Based on Program Success: Athletes who were part of the Auburn football program at any point in history would receive a portion of the revenue generated by the university’s athletics department, based on the success and profitability of the program. This revenue could be tied to factors such as merchandise sales, ticket sales, and media rights deals.
- Honoring All Generations of Athletes: One of the key aspects of the proposal is ensuring that athletes from all generations are included in the Legacy Fund. Whether an athlete played for the team in the 1970s, 1990s, or 2010s, their contributions to the program are recognized and rewarded. This is particularly important for former athletes who may not have had the same exposure or opportunity to profit from their brand as current athletes do.
- Fair Distribution Models: While the details of the distribution model would need to be worked out, the general idea is to create a fair system where each athlete’s payout is based on their role within the program. Factors such as career achievements, impact on the team, and the length of time they spent with the program could be used to determine their share.
- Alumni Engagement and Community Building: The Legacy Fund would also foster stronger ties between current players, alumni, and fans. Former athletes who benefit from the fund could be invited back to participate in events, mentoring current players, or representing the program in marketing campaigns. This engagement could help to build a sustainable, mutually beneficial community of former athletes who continue to support the Auburn Tigers.
- Post-Career Financial Security: Many former athletes struggle with financial instability after their playing careers end, especially those who may not have made it to the professional level or those who were unable to capitalize on their name, image, and likeness during their college years. By providing these athletes with a residual income, the Legacy Fund could help them navigate post-college life and achieve greater financial stability.
How the Legacy Fund Would Work in Practice
The mechanics of the Legacy Fund would require significant collaboration between the Auburn athletics department, former athletes, and possibly third-party organizations. Here’s how it could work:
- Program Revenue: The fund would be sustained by the revenue generated from Auburn football (and potentially other sports) programs, such as media rights deals, television contracts, ticket sales, and merchandise. These funds would be allocated toward supporting the Legacy Fund, with a portion earmarked specifically for past athletes.
- Eligibility: Former players who meet certain eligibility criteria, such as having played for the team for a specific number of seasons, would qualify for the fund. The exact criteria would need to be established to ensure fairness, but the goal would be to include as many athletes as possible who contributed to the success of the program.
- Payouts: Each athlete’s payout would be determined based on factors like their contribution to the team’s success, the duration of their career, and their overall impact on the Auburn football program. While the amounts may vary, the key is to create a system that recognizes both star players and those who may not have had standout careers but still contributed to the team’s success.
- Legacy Marketing: In order to generate more funds for the Legacy Fund, the Auburn athletics department could engage in a marketing campaign to promote the program, inviting former athletes to participate in events or campaigns. This could increase revenue and, in turn, the amount available for payouts to former athletes.
Why This Model Benefits Everyone
There are several key benefits to the proposal of a Legacy Fund:
- Recognition for Past Athletes: For many former players, one of the key motivations for supporting this model is recognition. College athletes sacrifice a great deal during their time in school, often with little reward beyond their scholarship and the occasional accolade. By offering a chance to benefit financially after their playing days, the Legacy Fund ensures that these athletes are honored for their contributions.
- Connection Between Generations of Players: The Auburn Tigers football program, like many college sports teams, has a rich history. By including alumni athletes in the modern NIL system, the Legacy Fund strengthens the bond between generations of players and the broader Auburn community. It also provides a way for younger athletes to connect with those who paved the way for their success.
- Financial Stability: Many athletes face difficulties transitioning to life after sports. The Legacy Fund would provide financial assistance for past players, allowing them to pursue new careers or navigate financial challenges that come with life after sports.
- Improved University Image and Alumni Engagement: Auburn University could enhance its image by leading the charge in creating an equitable system for past athletes. The program would also engage the Auburn alumni community more effectively, fostering loyalty and encouraging support for the university.
- A Model for Other Schools: If successful, the Auburn Legacy Fund could serve as a blueprint for other universities to create similar systems, spreading the benefits of NIL to all athletes, not just those currently in college.
Challenges and Considerations
While the Legacy Fund proposal is compelling, it also faces several challenges:
- Legal and Compliance Issues: The NCAA has strict rules around NIL deals, and any new model that extends NIL opportunities to former athletes may face legal and regulatory hurdles. The proposal would need to work within the confines of NCAA regulations to avoid potential conflicts.
- Sustainability: The financial viability of the fund would depend on the ability to generate consistent revenue from the athletics program. The fund would need to be carefully managed to ensure long-term sustainability without undermining the financial health of the university.
- Fairness of Distribution: Determining a fair and equitable distribution model for former athletes could be challenging. Ensuring that the payouts are justified and reflect the athlete’s contribution to the program would require a careful and transparent system.
- University Buy-In: For the Legacy Fund to become a reality, it would require the cooperation of the university administration, the athletic department, and various stakeholders. Gaining support from all parties would be crucial to the success of the model.
