That’s a thought-provoking question—and a bit of a loaded one, too.
If you’re referencing the idea of putting a dollar value on Nebraska football players (or any college athletes) due to NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals, it raises a few complex issues:
1. Market vs. Morality: On one hand, athletes are now allowed to profit from their personal brand, and the market will naturally place a “worth” on them. On the other, quantifying each player might shift the focus away from team spirit, development, and education.
2. Transparency vs. Pressure: Knowing how much each player is “worth” might bring transparency—but also added pressure and jealousy within the locker room. It could create division rather than unity.
3. Recruiting Implications: If we openly start assigning dollar values, it might turn recruiting into bidding wars, favoring wealthier programs and potentially widening the competitive gap.
Shatel’s question seems less about the actual dollar amount and more about whether we should want to know. What’s your take—do you think fans and media should dig into the numbers behind college athletes’ NIL values?
