The NIL Ripple Effect
For my undergraduate thesis for the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, I explored how the NCAA’s Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policy is impacting college athletes beyond endorsements. My research focused on the intersection of NIL opportunities, mental health challenges, and shifting fan expectations in the era of athlete empowerment.
I conducted qualitative interviews with current and former student-athletes, reviewed academic literature, and analyzed media narratives to uncover how the NIL era is reshaping the college sports experience. This project deepened my understanding of media influence, athlete branding, and the pressure student-athletes face in balancing performance, public image, and personal well-being. Below are links to my thesis, as well as two of my pieces published in the Daily Mississippian.
This December 5, 2024 feature dives into how NIL deals and the transfer portal have transformed the college football experience for Ole Miss Rebels and their fans Through on‑the‑ground reporting during a game in the Grove, it captures supporters’ mixed feelings—pride in elevated performance but concern that boosters throwing big money are starting to feel like a pro-style bidding war. Coaches, reporters, and former athletes, and boosters weigh in on the blurred lines of amateurism, looming contract disputes, and the importance of governance.
This honors thesis explores the psychological and cultural impacts of the NCAA’s NIL policy on college athletes. It investigates how the pressure to maintain a personal brand affects student-athlete mental health, how fan loyalty shifts in the era of rapid transfers, and how schools like Ole Miss navigate these changes. Supported by athlete interviews, fan surveys, and media analysis, the research highlights the personal cost of monetized fame and what it means for the future of college sports.
This thesis-based feature dives deeper into how NIL opportunities are affecting student-athletes beyond the field. It focuses on the mental health challenges, increased pressure, and shifting public perception, supported by interviews, data analysis, and real-life examples of athletes navigating the evolving college sports landscape.