The 2024 College Football National Championship game, a decisive 34-23 victory for the Ohio State Buckeyes over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, served as a stark illustration of the transformative impact of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals and the transfer portal on the collegiate sports landscape. While Notre Dame fought valiantly, narrowing the gap to a single possession late in the fourth quarter, the Buckeyes’ superior talent and depth, fueled by substantial NIL investments, ultimately proved insurmountable. Ohio State controlled the game’s tempo and narrative, showcasing a level of dominance that underscored the growing financial disparity between programs at the forefront of the NIL era and those adhering to more traditional recruiting models.
The Buckeyes’ roster, brimming with NFL-caliber prospects, including four projected first-round picks in the upcoming 2025 draft, contrasted sharply with a Notre Dame team lacking the same star power. This disparity was exacerbated by the absence of Notre Dame’s top prospect, cornerback Benjamin Morrison, due to a season-ending injury. While injuries are an inherent part of the game, the ability of wealthier programs to absorb such losses with greater depth becomes increasingly pronounced in the current landscape. The Buckeyes, armed with a reported $20 million worth of player talent, the highest valuation in college football, showcased the strategic advantage afforded by significant financial resources in assembling a championship-caliber team.
Central to Ohio State’s success was the acquisition of star quarterback Will Howard, a transfer from Kansas State who secured the Offensive MVP award in the championship game. Howard’s transfer, facilitated by a reported million-dollar NIL deal, exemplified the new era of player mobility and the power of financial incentives in shaping team rosters. Similarly, Notre Dame’s quarterback, Riley Leonard, also benefitted from a substantial NIL agreement after transferring from Duke. These high-profile transfers highlight how NIL deals have become instrumental in attracting top talent, effectively creating a free-agent market within college football.
Despite the undeniable influence of NIL on the outcome of the game, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day downplayed its significance, emphasizing the continuity and returning experience within his team. While acknowledging the impact of key additions like Howard and Caleb Downs, Day attributed the high NIL valuation of his players to the market demand associated with playing for Ohio State. However, the sheer financial muscle of the Buckeyes, coupled with the timing of these key transfers, suggests that NIL played a more substantial role than Day’s comments might suggest.
In contrast to Ohio State’s NIL-driven approach, Notre Dame’s program remained rooted in traditional recruiting values, emphasizing culture and tradition. Their players collectively earned significantly less through a non-profit NIL collective managed by alumnus Brady Quinn, with earnings tied to charitable work. This model, while commendable for its community focus, highlights the growing chasm between programs embracing aggressive NIL strategies and those prioritizing alternative values. Former NFL quarterback Drew Brees lauded Notre Dame’s approach as a commendable standard in the face of the rapidly evolving college football landscape, emphasizing the importance of team building and identity. However, the championship game demonstrated that, in the current environment, financial power translates directly into on-field success.
The Buckeyes’ victory underscores a broader trend in college football, where programs with the greatest financial resources, both from donors and NIL deals, are increasingly dominating the sport. The Texas Longhorns and the Oregon Ducks, alongside Ohio State, exemplify this trend, ranking high in both donor contributions and NIL spending. The correlation between financial investment and on-field performance is difficult to ignore, as these three programs occupied prominent positions in the final playoff rankings. This financial reality raises concerns about competitive balance and the potential for a further stratification of the sport.
The evolving landscape of college football, just a few years into the NIL and transfer portal era, now mirrors professional leagues in its emphasis on player mobility and financial incentives. While some advocate for stricter regulations to curb the perceived excesses of the current system, the likelihood of significant change remains uncertain. Brees, among others, has expressed concerns about the unchecked growth of NIL and the transfer portal, calling for guardrails to maintain some semblance of balance and control. However, the momentum of the NIL era suggests that it is here to stay, reshaping the very fabric of college football.
Ultimately, the 2024 National Championship served as a microcosm of the broader transformation occurring within college football. The Ohio State Buckeyes, armed with superior talent acquired through substantial NIL investments, triumphed over a Notre Dame team built on more traditional principles. While the long-term implications of the NIL era remain to be seen, the current reality is that financial power plays a decisive role in determining success. The question now becomes whether this model is sustainable and beneficial for the future of the sport.
