Jamie Pollard’s declaration that every Iowa State athlete will receive Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) payments signals a significant shift in collegiate athletics, particularly regarding resource allocation. While seemingly equitable, this broad distribution inherently means less of the “lion’s share” revenue generated by football and men’s basketball will flow directly to those marquee players.This paradigm shift presents both opportunities and challenges. On the positive side, a more even spread of NIL funds could dramatically bolster Iowa State’s Olympic sports. Enhanced financial support could attract higher-caliber athletes to programs like track and field, wrestling, or gymnastics, elevating their competitiveness on