The Big Ten Huddle Podcast

Why NIL Collectives Are Back and What It Means for College Football


Listen Later

In this episode of The Big Ten Huddle, host JR delivers a compelling breakdown of the recent reinstatement of NIL collectives in college football, addressing listener messages claiming he was wrong about their future. He sets the record straight, emphasizing that he never predicted their demise but instead highlighted the House settlement’s role in providing structure until federal legislation is passed. JR dives into the agreement between House plaintiff attorneys and power conferences, reported by Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports on July 22, 2025, which relaxed restrictions on collectives, allowing them to operate like other businesses under the College Sports Commission’s NIL Go clearinghouse. He explains how this creates a “soft cap” on athlete compensation, with fair-market value rules preventing outrageous deals, like a $2.5 million payment for a single signing.

Key topics include:

The House Settlement and NIL Collectives: JR details how the settlement, finalized June 6, 2025, introduced a $20.5 million revenue-sharing cap and how collectives can supplement this through legitimate NIL deals.

Fair-Market Value and Guardrails: He clarifies that collectives must justify payments as fair-market value, ensuring compliance with CSC rules, as emphasized by SEC commissioner Greg Sankey and Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti.

In-House Collectives: JR discusses schools like Ohio State integrating collectives into university operations, such as the “Buckeye Sports Group,” as noted by AD Ross Bjork.

Player Contracts and Decommitments: Starting August 1, 2025, signed contracts will reduce player mobility, impacting recruiting and transfer strategies.

Market Advantages: Schools in larger markets gain an edge due to bigger booster networks, though all deals must pass NIL Go scrutiny.

Useful Timestamps:

00:00–02:00: Introduction and addressing listener “gotcha” messages.

02:01–08:00: Overview of the House settlement and the CSC’s initial strict stance on collectives.

08:01–14:00: Details of the July 22, 2025, agreement to treat collectives like businesses.

14:01–20:00: Explanation of the “soft cap,” fair-market value, and examples of compliant deals.

20:01–25:00: Discussion on in-house collectives and Ohio State’s approach.

25:01–30:00: Impact of player contracts starting August 1, 2025, and market advantages.

30:01–End: Closing remarks on the settlement’s stability and call to continue the conversation.

Additional Notes: JR’s confident delivery makes this episode a must-listen for college football fans seeking clarity on the evolving NIL landscape. He cites credible sources, including Yahoo Sports, Front Office Sports, and comments from Ohio State’s Ryan Day and Ross Bjork, to ground his analysis. The episode reflects The Big Ten Huddle’s commitment to delivering in-depth, fan-focused insights into Big Ten and college football news.

Links:

Yahoo Sports Article by Ross Dellenger

Front Office Sports Coverage

Big Ten Huddle Podcast Archive

Follow us on Twitter

Follow us on Instagram

Follow us on TikTok

Contact us: Email

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Join the huddle for more unfiltered college football discussions!

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

The Big Ten Huddle PodcastBy JR, Bleav

  • 4.5
  • 4.5
  • 4.5
  • 4.5
  • 4.5

4.5

30 ratings


More shows like The Big Ten Huddle Podcast

View all
The Solid Verbal College Football by iHeartPodcasts

The Solid Verbal College Football

3,372 Listeners

The Audible with Stew & Bruce: A show about college football by The Athletic

The Audible with Stew & Bruce: A show about college football

1,183 Listeners

HuskerOnline Podcast by HuskerOnline

HuskerOnline Podcast

307 Listeners

The Pick Six Podcast - Husker sports news and analysis by Omaha World-Herald

The Pick Six Podcast - Husker sports news and analysis

174 Listeners

Early Break w/ Sip and Jake | 93.7 The Ticket | Lincoln's Real Sports Talk | Lincoln, NE by

Early Break w/ Sip and Jake | 93.7 The Ticket | Lincoln's Real Sports Talk | Lincoln, NE

198 Listeners

Husker247: A Nebraska athletics podcast by 247Sports, Nebraska, Nebraska Football, Nebraska Cornhuskers, Nebraska Athletics, College Football

Husker247: A Nebraska athletics podcast

257 Listeners

Cover 3 College Football by CBS Sports, College Football, Football, CFB, College Football Picks

Cover 3 College Football

4,006 Listeners

The Camp: A Wisconsin Badgers Football Podcast by The Zone

The Camp: A Wisconsin Badgers Football Podcast

234 Listeners

Locked On Badgers - Daily Podcast On Wisconsin Badgers Football & Basketball by Locked On Podcast Network, Justin Julka, Ryan Harings

Locked On Badgers - Daily Podcast On Wisconsin Badgers Football & Basketball

204 Listeners

Nick Bahe Podcast by Hurrdat Sports Network

Nick Bahe Podcast

861 Listeners

Josh Pate's College Football Show by CBS Sports

Josh Pate's College Football Show

3,461 Listeners

Locked On Nebraska - Daily Podcast on the Nebraska Cornhuskers by Locked On Podcast Network, Mitch Sherman, Connor Happer

Locked On Nebraska - Daily Podcast on the Nebraska Cornhuskers

39 Listeners

Always College Football with Greg McElroy by Omaha Productions, ESPN, Greg McElroy

Always College Football with Greg McElroy

1,406 Listeners

Andy & Ari On3 by On3

Andy & Ari On3

366 Listeners

Kings of the North College Football by THE Media LLC, Bleav

Kings of the North College Football

265 Listeners