NIL landscape in college sports changing: NCAA losing its grip, amateur vs. employee battle looms

College athletics is inching closer to a professionalized model only three years after name, image and likeness laws in several states made it possible for players to be compensated.

In an effort to convey what has happened and what’s next in the NIL space, CBS Sports provides an explainer of the latest developments and what might be next as state laws continue to evolve across the country. Below this article is an FAQ-style interview CBS Sports conducted with sports lawyer Darren Heitner, founder of HEITNER LEGAL, who provides an easy-to-digest breakdown of NIL and what to expect in the coming weeks, months and years.