Why many college athletes still see a degree as the ultimate prize

Several Division I athletes said that the money available to them through NIL deals remains a small consideration compared with earning a degree and competing in the sports they love.

Sponsorship deals were far from Jonny Bottorff’s mind when he transferred to Northern Arizona University on a football scholarship. As money-making opportunities for college athletes have boomed since then, the offensive lineman has earned a few hundred dollars through name, image and likeness (NIL) deals, but nothing that has changed his life.