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In 2021, a US Supreme Court decision passed a law to let student athletes monetize their name, image, or likeness (NIL) — previously, they were not allowed to accept sponsorship deals or to advertise products on social media. The Money Game, a six-part docuseries, captures the aftermath of this decision.

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Critics believe that this law means that college sports are now driven by financial gain, instead of for the love of the game. This viewpoint resonates throughout the series, as multiple commentators reflect on the NIL decision, describing it as a “wild west” for college athletics. Coaches are also allowed to profit off their teams, sometimes even making up to USD 10 mn per year.

The athletes themselves disagree, obviously. Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels provided a reminder of the real-world implications of NIL saying “There’s people that come from nothing, so they gotta take care of their people back home.” Rising stars like gymnast Olivia Dunne and basketball player Angel Reese have since signed six and seven-figure deals, highlighting the life-changing opportunities that NIL gave them.

WHERE TO WATCH: You can watch The Money Game on Prime Video or watch the trailer on YouTube (runtime: 2:22).

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