College athletes earn millions from NIL deals, outpacing many NFL linemen

Since NIL rules began five years ago, college football has seen a surge of high-value sponsorships, with left tackle Jordan Seaton reportedly earning $4 million from a pharmacy chain, fast-food outlet, finance firm and others. By contrast, most NFL offensive linemen, including nine-year veteran Mike McGlinchey, have little to no endorsement income. Analysts describe the NIL marketplace as immature, noting that brands often gamble on future star value.

The 14-month-old College Sports Commission is tasked with ensuring that school-linked deals fall within a "fair range" and serve a legitimate business purpose, while off-campus contracts escape such oversight. Lawmakers are considering the Protect College Sports Act, which would create a separate, less-regulated revenue stream for athletes. Industry insiders believe these steps could bring order to a rapidly expanding market that already rivals top NFL endorsement figures.