Jack Nicklaus is one of the most famous golf stars in history thanks to his record 18 major titles wins, but he is worried about the future thanks to the rise of NIL
Golf legend Jack Nicklaus criticized the NCAA for failing to “control” NIL which threatens to engulf college sports.
In 2021, the Supreme Court ruled to allow non-scholarship earned income for athletes across every division of college sports based on their name, image, and likeness, opening the door for student-athletes to make millions. However, it has proved to be divisive; major programs can essentially just pay for the best high school talent, while there’s also the transfer portal.
Nicklaus – who offered advice to Tiger Woods’ son Charlie recently – enjoyed a storied collegiate career. Playing for Ohio State, he clinched two U.S. Amateur victories in 1959 and 1961, as well as the NCAA Championship in 1961.
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Given Nicklaus’ status as a champion and legend in both college and the pros, he is uniquely positioned to dissect the impact of NIL and how players might be impacted going forward. The 18-time major champion is not a fan of NIL and is concerned money may dilute true passion for the game.
“Do I like [NIL]? No,” Nicklaus told reporters at Oakmont. “I do not like what’s going on in college athletics today.
“I don’t think a lot of people like what’s going on particularly. I think the athletes like it.
“Most of your scholarship athletes are athletes who could not take a job. They’re sponsored by the school paying for their education, which I think is great, but athletes have never been able to receive any money where they can go home for a weekend or take a girl out on a date or they couldn’t have a job while they were working. That’s part of their deal.
“I don’t like that part of it. I think athletes should get a stipend of some kind. I don’t know how much. I think that probably depends on what the situation is.
“But I don’t like the idea that you’ve got the best team money can buy. I don’t like that. I don’t like that part of it.”
The 18-time major champion added: “We’re all caught up into it. All the colleges are caught up into it. I don’t think they can figure out a way to get out of it. I hope they do.
“NCAA evidently has not been able to control it. I think it’s a shame. You see guys today that could go play a fifth year of college football and make more money than if they decide to go into the draft. I don’t think that’s really the right way to see things happen.
“I don’t fault them. I fault the system.”