Pulse Survey: The impact of NIL on the student-athlete experience

What student-athletes say has been the impact of NIL on everything from team dynamics to athletic performance.

If you want to learn, adapt, or capitalize on NIL, consider my Live NIL Educational Workshops, On-Demand Digital Courses, or NIL Consulting. Contact me at bill@studentathleteinsights.com or read more at https://studentathleteinsights.com/

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In May 2024, I used my NIL Research Poll (a panel of 5,000 college student-athletes & 1,000 high school prospects) to gather more than 1,100 responses that gauge college student-athlete sentiment on the following topics:

• Time Management and Priorities

• Financial Well-being and Independence

• Mental Health and Well-being

• Relationships and Team Dynamics

• Athletic Performance and Motivation

• Overall Satisfaction

I used a Likert scale ("strongly agree" to "strongly disagree") to indicate their level of agreement with the statements below.

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Time Management and Priorities

NIL has impacted the amount of time you dedicate to athletics, academics, and personal life.

• Strongly agree - 12%

• Agree - 42%

• Neither agree nor disagree - 28%

• Disagree - 12%

• Strongly disagree - 6%

You have had to make sacrifices or adjustments to your schedule to accommodate NIL activities.

• Strongly agree - 18%

• Agree - 32%

• Neither agree nor disagree - 38%

• Disagree - 8%

• Strongly disagree - 4%

You feel that NIL has impacted your ability to balance your priorities as a student-athlete.

• Strongly agree - 18%

• Agree - 20%

• Neither agree nor disagree - 22%

• Disagree - 26%

• Strongly disagree - 14%

Financial Well-being and Independence

NIL has improved your financial situation as a student-athlete.

• Strongly agree - 16%

• Agree - 44%

• Neither agree nor disagree - 30%

• Disagree - 6%

• Strongly disagree - 4%

NIL given you a sense of financial independence or security.

• Strongly agree - 3%

• Agree - 21%

• Neither agree nor disagree - 28%

• Disagree - 34%

• Strongly disagree - 14%

You feel more prepared for life after college because of your NIL experience.

• Strongly agree - 18%

• Agree - 48%

• Neither agree nor disagree - 16%

• Disagree - 10%

• Strongly disagree - 8%

Mental Health and Well-being

NIL has added stress or pressure to your life as a student-athlete.

• Strongly agree - 11%

• Agree - 26%

• Neither agree nor disagree - 47%

• Disagree - 9%

• Strongly disagree - 7%

NIL has negatively impacted your self-esteem or confidence.

• Strongly agree - 2%

• Agree - 4%

• Neither agree nor disagree - 67%

• Disagree - 14%

• Strongly disagree - 13%

You are aware of the mental health resources available to student-athletes at your school.

• Strongly agree - 31%

• Agree - 41%

• Neither agree nor disagree - 21%

• Disagree - 4%

• Strongly disagree - 3%

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• Relationships and Team Dynamics

• Athletic Performance and Motivation

• Overall Satisfaction

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