James Franklin believes that players will be paid, and the sooner it happens, the better. But the Penn State coach also said some transparency in the process would benefit everyone.

In an interview with the Associated Press, Franklin said regulation and changes to name, image and likeness are ahead.

“I also think that ultimately, whether it’s in the next 3 years or next 5 years or next 2 years, there’s going to be some form of revenue sharing or collective bargaining agreement (with the players),” Franklin told AP. “That’s going to happen. I think that’s inevitable.

“And I think most people would prefer that than the current model because I think it’s better for the student-athletes because they’re going to be able to get contracts and know what they’re signing up for. And I think for the schools as well, I think there’s going to be value in knowing what you’re dealing with.”

The Big Ten will make more than $7 billion over 7 years from contracts it signed with multiple networks last year. And that means that each school could receive something like $100 million per year from the league during the length of the new deal.

There are multiple legislative bills in the works, including in the California legislature that would require some NCAA Division I schools to share revenue with athletes in revenue-generating sports such as football and basketball as a possible catalyst toward pay-for-play.

There’s also the College Athlete Protection Act, introduced by Assemblymember Chris Holden in January, that passed the Higher Education Committee on Monday. Another item is a federal lawsuit in Pennsylvania that seeks employment status for college athletes.

“So, I think pretty much everybody I talk to is in the camp of, you know, this needs to happen and should have happened for a long time,” Franklin said.