ESPN’s Jay Bilas says the NIL era is making college basketball better than ever
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The NIL has been around for years in college basketball, and ESPN’s Jay Bilas said the game has never been better.
Bilas, 62, said the NIL allowed players to be compensated while staying at the school for a long time.
“I don’t think it’s ever been better. The players are better than ever. We’re seeing now because of NIL, because of player compensation, players are staying in school longer than in previous years,” Bilas told Fox News Digital.
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ESPN College GameDay host Jay Bilas prepares to broadcast before the game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Duke Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, NC, on Feb. 1, 2025. (Lance King/Getty Images)
“That’s a lot of years of service for college teams without players that they usually get. And I think it shows in the high level of play. And for those who say ‘Hey, you know, players should stay in school,’ they stay in school to further their education and make money while they’re doing it.”
Bilas said that if a singer, writer or actor earns money while studying, he can be praised. The former Duke star added that the NIL allowed the talent to spread more widely and cited Indiana as an example.
“I think it wasn’t a good thing in this game. We saw the talent spread a lot and look, I’m not a football guy. I like to watch football, but I wouldn’t consider myself in the professional category, but I find it hard to believe that Indiana can win a national championship under the old system. And they won one during the NIL,” said Bilas.
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ESPN analyst Jay Bilas stands before the court before the game between the Illinois Fighting Illini and the Florida Atlantic Owls at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Dec. 5, 2023. (Porter Binks/Getty Images)
“Like Alabama or Clemson, they can’t stack three deep players at each position like they used to. And one, you can’t afford it. And two, players say, ‘Wait a minute, I can make this a starter at Texas A&M. Why would I go here and be a backup?’ “
Although Bilas praised NIL, he does not think that the players are paid.
“I think it’s not a good thing and it’s good for the players that now they can negotiate something close to their value. They haven’t found their value yet, but at least they’re getting closer to their value,” said Bilas.
This broadcaster revealed the hypocrisy that fans have about coaches who change schools compared to players who change. Bilas said that the fans don’t complain when the coaches go to another school, but they cry when the player hits the portal.
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Sportscaster Jay Bilas tees off during the first practice round of the 2025 ACC Celebrity Golf Championship at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Stateline, Nev., on July 9, 2025. (David Calvert/Getty Images for American Century Investments)
“There has never been a lump sum salary for the coaches. Their compensation keeps going up and the coach’s portal is always open. You know, they leave whenever they feel like it and no one says to interfere if another school takes them. That should change because they have a contract with another member institution and in the real world that is called tortious interference with contract, and then the NCAA turns around and sees the other way.
“But they complain when it comes to the players, not the NCAA, but the fans complain about the players but they never complain about the coaches.”
Bilas will be playing in the American Century Tournament July 10-12 at Edgewood Golf Course in Lake Tahoe. This competition will be broadcast on NBC and Pigogo.
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