Case Study: College, Collectives & Craziness - The NIL World

How do NILs work?

How do athletes get paid?

How does it affect Colleges?

How does it affect athletes?

Case Study: Understanding Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) in College Sports

Engage your students with real-world issues in college athletics and the evolving business of sports.

Subjects: Business Law, Sports Marketing, Civics, Economics, Current Events
Estimated Time: 1–2 class periods

What's Included:

A detailed and student-friendly case study explaining:

• The history and evolution of NIL rights
• Key court cases like O’Bannon v. NCAA and NCAA v. Alston
• The role of collectives and boosters in college athletics
• Real-world examples of NIL successes and controversies
• The impact on athletes, schools, and conferences
  

8 Guided Comprehension Questions to ensure student understanding
4 Research & Critical Thinking Prompts that encourage students to:

• Investigate current NIL deals and legal developments
• Analyze real-world athlete experiences
• Think critically about the pros, cons, and future of NIL
  

✅ Teacher Answer Key for Part 1 to streamline grading and discussion

Perfect For:

• Classroom discussions on sports law and fairness
• Real-world applications in marketing, entrepreneurship, or economics
• Lessons connecting legal precedent to student life and popular culture
• Substitute teacher days or enrichment assignments
  

Why Teachers Love It:

✔️ Clear, engaging writing tailored for high school readers
✔️ Promotes critical thinking and independent research
✔️ Easily fits into existing curriculum for business, law, or civics
✔️ Sparks conversation and student interest in sports and law

Use this case study to bring relevance, debate, and depth into your classroom. Whether your students are aspiring athletes, future lawyers, or just sports fans, this is one lesson they'll actually want to do!