Hunter Yurachek on NIL impact: It doesn't make any sense for athletes to choose to stay in college over going pro
NIL is a hot topic of discussion this week as multiple college athletics leaders converge on Washington, D.C. It’s been almost two years since the NCAA approved interim legislation allowing athletes to make money off their name, image and likeness, and it’s left quite an impact on the college sports landscape.
One effect of NIL is that players might stay in college rather than go professional. That’s something Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek discussed this week, posing an interesting question about what it means for not only collegiate athletics, but for professional sports.
“Young men and women are making decisions not to go to Major League Baseball or the WNBA or the NBA because they can make more money in college,” Yurachek said, via the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette’s Matt Jones. “Does that make any sense, that you can make more money by staying in college than you can by going and being a professional athlete? That’s where we have some issues in college athletics.”
Big names in football, basketball opted to stay in college over the last two years
Basketball has seen its last two national players of the year opt to stay in school rather than go to the NBA. Oscar Tshiebwe won the 2022 National Player of the Year award and maintained his eligibility while declaring for the NBA Draft. However, he opted to return to the Wildcats for another year instead of head to the association.
The same thing happened again this year with Purdue star Zach Edey. He brought home the 2023 player of the year award and, like Tshiebwe, tested the draft waters before announcing his return to the Boilermakers. Other big names, such as former Michigan star and current Kansas forward Hunter Dickinson, have also opted to stay at the collegiate level.
On the football side, two of the biggest names to stay in college were in the Big Ten. Penn State offensive lineman Olu Fashanu was viewed as a potential first-round pick in the NFL Draft, but is returning to the Nittany Lions this coming season instead.
Over at Michigan, running back Blake Corum — who’s coming off a knee injury — also could’ve tried for the NFL despite his injury. Corum ultimately chose to come back to continue building an impressive backfield pairing with Donovan Edwards. Oregon quarterback Bo Nix was also draft-eligible this year after a huge year for the Ducks, but returned to the program for his final season of eligibility.
NCAA, SEC leaders head to Washington to talk NIL
Yurachek is part of a group of SEC leaders heading to the nation’s capital to discuss NIL. At the forefront of conversation is possible federal regulation, and the charge is being led by NCAA president Charlie Baker and SEC commissioner Greg Sankey.
Alabama head coach Nick Saban is also part of the delegation and is set to meet with Senate majority leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), according to Sports Illustrated.
On3’s Pete Nakos has more details about what to expect. On3 also has live updates as officials make their way to Washington.