Colorado is the latest Power Four school to cut ties with its official NIL collective. This decision comes as athletic departments across the country prepare for the implications of the upcoming agreement between the House and the NCAA, which is expected to be finalized later this year.
“We are restructuring our NIL procedures to be prepared for the changes ahead,” Colorado athletic director Rick George wrote in an email to fans Monday morning.
This comes after a season in which the Buffaloes once again regained prominence in the college football landscape. Under the leadership of Deion Sanders, the team finished 2024 with a 9-4 record, narrowly missing the Big 12 championship game and making its first full-season bowl game since 2016.
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The development will surely help Colorado build a more stable program with a significant financial injection. With Sanders in charge and a strong revenue sharing formula, fans can expect the show to remain competitive for years to come.
How much will Colorado be able to distribute to athletes?
The groundbreaking House v. NCAA marks the beginning of a transformative era for college athletics. When it is finally ratified and operational, it will allow schools to directly compensate athletes through revenue sharing, with an annual cap of $22 million covering all sports programs.
Additionally, athletes retain their ability to generate income through NIL agreements. Schools can also continue to partner with collectives to distribute funds that exceed the established limit of $22 million. Together, these measures promise to reshape the financial landscape of college sports.
This landmark decision represents a move away from traditional restrictions, which allow players to receive payments directly from their institutions, something that was previously prohibited. Rick George believes the development will be advantageous for Colorado for many reasons.
“I feel these changes will not only keep CU as the gold standard in supporting student-athletes, but will also make it easier for fans like you to invest in our student-athletes at a time when it is most crucial,” George wrote .
George’s email on Monday provided new guidance for donors interested in financially supporting Colorado athletics amid the operational transition. Donors are now encouraged to contribute directly to the AD Excellence Fund or the Buff Club Sports Excellence Fund.
These new channels make it unnecessary to deal with third-party groups, such as the 5430 Alliance, which streamlines the process for those seeking to invest in the future of the program. It also gives the athletic department a good level of control over athlete compensation, ensuring some ease and stability across the board.
Edited by Joseph Schiefelbein.