The NCAA basketball world is buzzing with frustration, and ESPN analyst Jay Bilas is at the center of the storm. In a recent X post, Bilas questioned whether NIL deals are unfairly favoring bigger schools. His take has sparked a fiery backlash from fans and smaller programs who feel ignored in the conversation.
Since the NCAA allowed athletes to profit from NIL in 2021, the landscape of college sports has shifted dramatically. In 2025, there were only 106 early entries in the NBA Draft, the lowest number since 2015. While some see this as a win for player development, others argue it’s turning mid-major programs into feeder systems for powerhouse schools.
Jay Bilas’ NIL Stance Sparks Outrage Among College Basketball Fans
Smaller schools are fed up, and ESPN analyst Jay Bilas’ latest comments aren’t helping. Fans and programs like Wichita State and Charlotte argue that NIL has created a talent drain, with Power Four schools poaching their best players using massive seven-figure deals.
Is NIL hurting smaller schools and benefitting bigger schools too much? pic.twitter.com/ILSthvkRHk
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) April 29, 2025
“Wichita State freed from developing talent, now blessed with bidding on their roster every year,” Kentucky Golf Holes sarcastically posted on X, reflecting the bitterness of mid-majors losing their stars to schools like Kansas, who reportedly took Wichita State’s entire starting lineup.
Charlotte fans echoed the sentiment, with user Mr704 noting on X that the 49ers have lost their leading scorer four years in a row, mostly to Power Four programs, making it nearly impossible to build a sustainable program or fanbase.
Other fans criticized how much Bilas actually pays attention to mid-major programs.
Have you ever paid attention to anything not blue blooded programs? Another atrocious take, my goodness
— Miles (@TheUNT6) April 29, 2025
The frustration is clear—smaller schools feel like they’re just a stepping stone, developing talent only for bigger programs to swoop in with more NIL money, leaving them to start over each season.
Is NIL Turning College Basketball Into a Farm System?
The data backs up the concerns of smaller programs. A 2025 study by AD Advisors found that 70% of players entering the transfer portal either move to lower-profile schools or fail to find a new team, while top talents often land at elite programs with bigger NIL budgets.
“Jay is telling us everything is great while we lose proven talent every year,” Mr. 704 vented on X, highlighting how schools like Charlotte are forced to rely on unproven recruits, making selling tickets or attracting donors tough.
Men’s College Basketball Transfer Portal News Today (04/30/2025): Aidan Mahaney, Darius Adams and More
Meanwhile, the 2025 NBA Draft saw fewer early entries, as players like UConn’s Alex Karaban chose to stay in college, leveraging NIL deals to earn money comparable to late first-round picks while developing their skills further.
Critics argue this trend disproportionately benefits wealthier programs, creating a cycle where smaller schools develop talent only to lose it, effectively turning them into a farm system for the NCAA’s elite, a reality Bilas seems to downplay in his analysis.
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