The Money Game 

     College sports has undergone a massive upheaval, brought on by the 2021 court case that ruled the NCAA could not prevent student athletes from profiting from their name, image, and likeness (NIL).

     Overnight, thousands of young people had the opportunity to make money without turning pro. 

     There is a six-part documentary that examines how student athletes at Louisiana State U. are navigating sports reshaped by NIL deals. "The Money Game" begins with a breakdown of the economics behind college athletics. NIL threw the old system into chaos. 

     LSU has an NIL office to help students get paid. Some athletes aren't just students. Now they're running their own businesses. While football generates the lion's share of profits for the university, it's the Lady Tigers that are running away with the money. 

     Gymnast Olivia Dunne has 15 million followers on social media and can make up to $125,000 for a single post. 

     NIL isn't equitable as expected. Some star athletes struggle to get attention, while some obscure athletes build profitable businesses. 

     On the dark side, some students face struggles and mourn the loss of normal life. NIL, they say, is one more thing for kids to worry about, already under too much pressure to perform.

     So what? So, Mr. and Mrs. Donut on Saturday participate in an event called "Trunk and Treat" for kids living in the neighborhood of our church. My Buckeyes, on TV at the same time, will have to face Nebraska without our help. 

           Jimmy