In big money era of college football, coaches can fail, players can't

College football is experiencing a significant shift in financial dynamics, with an emphasis on performance-based earnings for players. While universities are willing to spend millions on buyouts for unsuccessful coaches, players are increasingly subject to performance-based contracts. This change comes as universities and boosters implement revenue-sharing models and private NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals, which often favor top-performing players and high-profile recruits.

Despite large contracts for some athletes, the majority of players do not see substantial financial gains. Performance-based NIL deals are typically structured as one-year agreements, leading to a high turnover rate as players move between teams and contracts in search of better financial terms or to compensate for previous underperformance.

Ohio State reportedly invested nearly $20 million in retaining players for its national championship roster, highlighting the competitive nature of college football finances. Schools are using available revenue, such as the $23 million per school from revenue sharing, primarily for football, with estimates suggesting nearly a billion dollars is spent annually on player salaries in Power