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Clemson’s Dabo Swinney voices concerns over NIL
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The approval of name, image and likeness opportunities for student-athletes has really changed the landscape of college athletics. Some coaches are in favor of the new rules while some still have some serious concerns.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney hasn’t been afraid to voice some of the issues he has with the new NIL rules that are running through college athletics — with college football players being significant beneficiaries.
Going on the Players’ Club Podcast, Swinney talked about some of the concerns he has about NIL. Though he made it clear that he isn’t actually against it.
“I’m not against NIL at all, what I am against is anything that devalues education — that’s what I’m against,” Swinney said. “I’m against the professionalization of college athletics. What does that mean? Now we’re paying guys salaries and 18-year-olds have to pay taxes. I don’t think that’s good. I think we should keep the focus on on graduation, incentivize graduate and do everything we can to modernize and improve the scholarship in addition to these NIL opportunities.
“I think it’s great. But again, with the NIL and transfer portal, there are some things going on that I don’t think is sustainable and I don’t think it’s good for a lot of young people. You’re talking about 18-, 19- and 20-year-olds that shouldn’t be equipped, ya know? Again, 98% are not going to play in the NFL, so let’s help them maximize this for sure and not allow some of the craziness that is creeping up.”
Swinney has never been afraid to share his thoughts on some of the changes that hit college athletics over the years. This was another example.
We’re only one year into the approval of NIL opportunities. It’s difficult to tell where this will eventually go. Right now, though, Swinney believes it’s far from a perfect system.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB