The claim that Ohio State has secured Alabama defensive end Keon Keeley with a five-year, $120 million contract is not accurate. In college football, players do not sign traditional contracts with monetary compensation as seen in professional leagues. Instead, they receive scholarships covering tuition, room, board, and other educational expenses.
However, with the advent of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights, college athletes can now earn compensation through endorsements and sponsorships. While NIL deals can be substantial, they are typically facilitated through external agreements and not directly tied to the university. For instance, Ohio State football players collectively received around $20 million in NIL deals over the past year, a figure believed to be among the highest in college football.
It’s important to note that even with lucrative NIL opportunities, individual deals reaching $120 million over five years are unprecedented in college athletics. Such figures are more commonly associated with professional sports contracts. For example, in Major League Baseball, contracts exceeding $100 million are not uncommon, but they are negotiated within the framework of professional sports organizations.
In summary, while NIL agreements have introduced new financial opportunities for college athletes, the notion of a college player like Keon Keeley receiving a $120 million contract is not aligned with the current structure of collegiate athletics. Such substantial contracts remain within the realm of professional sports.
