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The NIL has been a fixture in college basketball for years now, and ESPN broadcaster Jay Bilas said the sport has never been better.
Bilas, 62, said the NIL has allowed players to be compensated while also staying in school longer.
“I don’t think it’s ever been better. The players are better than they’ve ever been. We’re seeing now because of the NIL, because of player compensation, that players are staying longer in school than they did in years past,” Bilas told Pakinomist Digital.
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ESPN College GameDay host Jay Bilas prepares to broadcast prior to the game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Duke Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, NC on February 1, 2025. (Lance King/Getty Images)
“That’s more years of service for college teams without players than they used to get. And I think that’s reflected in a higher level of play. And for those who say, ‘Hey, you know, players have to stay in school,’ they stay in school to further their education and make money while they’re doing it.”
Bilas said if a musician, writer or actor made money while getting an education, they would be praised. The former Duke star added that the NIL has allowed talent to spread more and cited Indiana as an example.
“I think it’s been nothing but good for the sport. We’ve seen talent spread out more and look, I’m not a football guy. I like watching football, but I wouldn’t consider myself in the expert category, but I have a hard time believing that Indiana could win a national championship under the old system. And they won one in the NIL era,” Bilas said.
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ESPN analyst Jay Bilas stands courtside before the game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Florida Atlantic Owls at Madison Square Garden in New York City on December 5, 2023. (Porter Binks/Getty Images)
“Like Alabama or Clemson, they can’t stock players three deep at each position like they used to. And one, you can’t afford that. And two, players say, ‘Wait a minute, I can make this a starter at Texas A&M. Why would I come here and be a backup?'”
While Bilas praised the NIL, he still does not believe the players are being paid their worth.
“I think it’s nothing but a good thing and it’s great for the players that now they can at least negotiate for something close to their value. They’re still not getting their value, but at least they’re getting closer to their value,” Bilas said.
The TV station pointed out the hypocrisy fans have of coaches changing schools compared to players transferring. Bilas said fans don’t complain when coaches leave for another school, but do when a player hits the transfer portal.
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Sportscaster Jay Bilas tees off during the first practice round of the 2025 ACC Celebrity Golf Championship at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Stateline, Nev., on July 9, 2025. (David Calvert/Getty Images for American Century Investments)
“There’s never been a salary cap on coaches. Their compensation keeps going up and up and the coach’s portal is always open. You know, they leave when they want and nobody says tampering when another school takes them away. That needs to change because they’re under contract at another member institution and in the real world that’s called tortious interference the other way, and the NCAA says their head shouldn’t turn the other way. here.”
“But they complain when it comes to players, not the NCAA, but fans complain about players, but they never seem to complain about coaches.”
Bilas will play in the American Century Tournament 10-12. July at Edgewood Golf Course in Lake Tahoe. The tournament will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock.
