While Alabama Crimson Tide players dispense with East Carolina in Tuscaloosa, Auburn Tigers' players will have a cash bonanza in Atlanta.
In a groundbreaking deal created by Peach Bowl Inc., CBS Sports reports that 24 Auburn players will earn roughly $6 million. The dollars will not come solely from NIL compensation. According to CBS reporter Brandon Marcello, Auburn players will also be paid a portion of ticket sales.
The CBS story did not include any information about Baylor players taking part. It did say that the ticket allotment to the schools is 20,645 tickets to Auburn and 3,000 tickets to Baylor.
Auburn on a cutting edge or diving off a cliff?
In accepting the compensation package, the Auburn Tigers are taking 'pay for play' to a new level. It can be said that players will be compensated for their promotional efforts and brand value, but they are also being paid to play a football game. Being paid to play in a game comes close to making the players paid employees.
Apparently, Auburn AD John Cohen is not concerned about any blurred lines regarding player employment. That does not mean that Auburn will face no negative consequences from the deal. The Tigers can't beat Baylor with just 24 players. How much will team morale be affected by some of Auburn's game participants not sharing in the financial bonus?
One thing is almost certain. The financial arrangement will not be a one-off. Promoters of other neutral-site games will likely make similar deals for players who are cash cows, generating not only ticket sales but also increasing broadcast fee value.
It can be argued that the line for 'pay to play' was crossed earlier. College basketball's Player Era Tournament pays teams NIL money, which the schools pass on to the players. Private equity company, RedBird Capital, invested to create the event, and ESPN has entered into an event partnership arrangement, rather than a traditional rights fee deal. In recent months, RedBird also provided capital to the Big 12 Conference.
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