NIL money refers to the earnings that college athletes receive by monetizing their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL). This means athletes can be compensated for the commercial use of their personal brand, including their name, image, and likeness, through endorsements, sponsorships, autograph signings, social media promotions, and other marketing activities

. The concept of NIL emerged as a way to allow college athletes to earn money without violating NCAA amateurism rules, which still prohibit schools from paying athletes directly for their athletic performance. Instead, NIL deals are agreements between athletes and external businesses or sponsors, not the universities themselves

. NIL money primarily comes from:

• Brand endorsements and sponsorships by national or local companies.
• Partnerships with local businesses promoting their products or services.
• NIL collectives, which are groups pooling fan and alumni donations to support athletes

Since 2021, following NCAA rule changes and state laws, college athletes have been able to profit from their NIL rights, marking a significant shift in college sports. This has allowed athletes to earn income while still in school, sometimes reaching substantial amounts, such as top athletes earning millions

. In summary, NIL money is the income college athletes earn by leveraging their personal brand in commercial deals outside their schools, representing a major change in how college athletes can financially benefit from their sports fame