Jimbo Fisher seeks changes to in-state NIL regulations
During the second full week of spring football for Texas A&M, head coach Jimbo Fisher discussed a variety of topics on Wednesday, including NIL in the state of Texas, one of the only states that still prohibits high school athletes from the monetary benefits of name, image, and likeness.
After signing what is still considered the greatest recruiting class in recruiting history during the 2022 cycle, hypocrisy reigned as Alabama Head coach Nick Saban accused Fisher of “buying” his recruiting class, and a year later, Saban signed the top class for 2023, making the criticism rooted in jealously moot.
With Texas and Oklahoma set to join the SEC in 2024, recruiting the state of Texas will become even more heated in the coming years, but a swift change to in-state NIL rules could smooth things out. Here’s what Fisher had to say on the matter:
“I don’t know about getting into changes,” Fisher stated. “But I do think the schools being able to have a conversation with the kids about it is good. Because a lot of guys don’t always have the background or have been through the scenarios of what their rights are and what their rights aren’t contractually. Because sometimes, you talk about getting into a NIL situation where people can get into these kids’ rights for a lifetime. Not just while they are here, but when they hit pro ball and things like that.
“So I think from an advisory standpoint, having people, whether they are compliance looking at contracts to make sure to let the kids know what they are actually doing or things of that nature, I think is really good. You are still talking about young kids, 17 or 18 years old.”
Jimbo Fisher and other FBS coaches have given their opinions, and possible solutions to the currently chaotic landscape that NIL has become, and no matter what happens down the line from a legislative standpoint, it all boils down to helping young athletes financially prepare for their future careers in their chosen sport or a whole other career entirely.
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