Will NIL Deals Cause Recruits to be Influenced by Money?

SUMMARY: For decades, bribery had been the most effective way to secure prospects for college athletic recruitment. While many believed that this would end with the passage of NIL laws, others emphasized that these deals might increase discrete bribery in collegiate athletics. Although it is illegal for schools to pay prospective and current athletes directly, NIL laws allow athletes to be paid in different ways, such as through opportunities the school provides (NIL collectives). This may make the recruitment of athletes through “bribery” more common. However, it could actually reduce the number of athletes who choose schools purely based on the deals they are offered. Due to their ability to sign endorsements earlier in their career, high school NIL contracts may be able to prevent the influence of money on recruitment.