NIL forced to mix with controversies at Michigan State and Michigan football

College athletes are relying on their brand reputations, and those of the teams they play for, to help develop financial opportunities. But what happens when their team or university is in trouble?
The football programs at Michigan State and Michigan have been in the national headlines for the wrong reasons this season. First, MSU suspended Mel Tucker without pay due to allegations of sexual assault. He was later fired for cause after the allegations were proven true. Tucker is now suing MSU for wrongful termination. Then, Michigan’s head football coach, Jim Harbaugh, was suspended for the second time this season for the last three games of the regular season amid a sign stealing scandal. The school self-imposed a three game suspension for Harbaugh to start the 2023 season due to a NCAA investigation looking into infractions involving recruiting. Due to these circumstances MSU athletes have run into some problems which included one of MSU’s main collective’s Spartan Dawg For Life (SD4L).