The Double-Edged Sword of NIL Deals: Examining the Positive and Negative Psychological Impacts of Financial Support from Sports Agencies on Collegiate Student-Athletes' Well-Being

The Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals introduced since 2021 have transformed college sports, providing financial empowerment for student-athletes and introducing psychological stresses. This paper investigates the two-sided impact of sports agency financial assistance on athletes' well-being with good points such as increased motivation and confidence and bad points such as increased anxiety, depression, academic decline, and fear of loss. In a quantitative approach with simulated data, we conducted correlation studies and regressions and saw high positive correlations with support levels and distress measures but modest gains in self-esteem. Results bring to fore NIL's role in exacerbating mental health inequities, urging unification of support systems in institutions and agencies to enhance resilience.