Let’s assume that 30M number being thrown around about A&M is accurate (and I think it is). That’s just for ONE CLASS. Multiply that by 4, and you’re looking at a “payroll” of 120M for an entire roster. For comparison, the current NFL salary cap is 143M. Now that’s not really an apples/apples comparison- 85 man roster vs 53. But remember, this is just year one of NIL. These numbers are just going to escalate, and there’s currently no ceiling, whereas the NFL number is a hard cap. We’re going to reach point very soon where most college players actually LOSE money by going pro.
That said, Saban and Smart are last ones who should be preaching on this subject. Everyone knows that they have been NIL “haves” for years, and are just worried that other well-heeled schools will crash their party, now that it’s legal.