There’s a growing sense of unease in college sports—and it’s not just about the scoreboard. From locker rooms to recruiting trails, coaches and insiders are whispering the same question louder each day: Is NIL leading to tampering?

The worry? That the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) era—meant to empower student-athletes—is quietly tearing at the very fabric of college athletics. What was once a game rooted in loyalty, program-building, and development is now starting to resemble a high-stakes, under-regulated free agency.

When Opportunity Meets Temptation

Let’s be clear: NIL itself isn’t the problem. The idea of athletes earning compensation for their image rights is long overdue. The issue is what happens behind closed doors—long before a student hits the transfer portal.

Picture this: A rising sophomore just finished a breakout season. They’re loyal to their coach, thriving academically, and poised to lead their team next year. But then… someone from a competing program sends a message:

“You could be making six figures over here. Are you interested?”

Suddenly, without even entering the portal, that athlete’s commitment to their team is shaken—and it may not be a one-time conversation.

How NIL Is Fueling Tampering (Whether We Admit It or Not)

What used to be clear lines of communication are now blurry.

Let’s break it down:

• Unregulated Collectives: Boosters and third-party groups offering NIL deals are not held to the same recruiting standards as coaches. This gives them leeway to initiate contact without formal violations—creating a gray area ripe for abuse.

• Lack of Transparency: Many NIL deals are private, with few reporting standards. This secrecy makes it harder to prove when tampering occurs.

• The “Silent Transfer Portal”: Tampering now often occurs before an athlete enters the portal. Once they do enter, it looks like a clean process—when in reality, conversations have already taken place.

The Destruction of College Loyalty?

One of the unintended casualties of this new system is program culture.

Coaches can no longer count on four-year players. Teammates who bond during off-season workouts may suddenly disappear after getting a text or DM promising money and exposure elsewhere.

College athletics, once a development pipeline, is increasingly becoming transactional. And if NIL isn’t more closely regulated, we may see student-athletes traded like assets—without the protections professional players have.

What Can Be Done?

While we don’t need to undo NIL, we do need systems to protect the integrity of recruiting and team building. That includes:

• Clearer communication rules for NIL representatives

• Transparent deal reporting requirements

• Education for athletes on long-term value vs. short-term gains

• Support systems like Facilitate The Process that help athletes navigate the recruiting journey with integrity and awareness