GET ME REWRITE: Elite college athletes are big winners in the march to endorsement madness

 

Source:  opendorse (TM)

Wisconsin State Journal, 6/29/2021

This change in direction — prompted by years of lobbying by former athletes and state governments challenging the NCAA’s model — is a win for athletes who believe they should be able to profit on their talents beyond a scholarship. However, the exact framework for how NIL payments will work nationwide still is taking shape.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 10,800 men and women are employed as professional athletes.  As you can see from the above bar graph, less than 1% of them earn any significant amount of money from their endorsements.  And that's only if you think $75,000 is significant in the pro sports world.

The NCAA reports that there are 460,000 student athletes.  ($$$)