Reader Laments Money Transforming College Sports

Longtime fan criticizes rise of NIL deals and player transfers as destroying college sports' values.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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In a reader commentary, a Baltimore resident expresses disappointment with the changes in college sports, particularly the rise of lucrative name, image and likeness (NIL) deals and increased player transfers between schools. The writer argues these developments have undermined the traditional values of college athletics, such as teamwork, sportsmanship and academic priorities.

Why it matters

The commentary touches on a broader debate around the increasing commercialization of college sports and whether the rise of professional-level compensation for athletes is fundamentally changing the nature and purpose of college athletics programs.

The details

The writer, Harold Mendelson, says he is proud to be responsible for one of the empty seats at Maryland Terrapins games, lamenting that the "portal and NIL have destroyed college sports." Mendelson argues the idea of college athletes transferring between multiple universities "stinks" and that the current system rewards "a group of selfish athletes who are going wherever they can get the most money." He is ashamed of academic institutions "allowing programs where the participants are being paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to play a sport" while graduate students and worthy charities struggle for funding.

  • The commentary was published on February 22, 2026.

The players

Harold Mendelson

A Baltimore resident and longtime fan of college sports who is critical of the changes in the industry.

Maryland Terrapins

The college sports teams of the University of Maryland.

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What they’re saying

“I am proud to be responsible for one of the empty seats at the Maryland Terrapins' Xfinity Center. The portal and NIL have destroyed college sports.”

— Harold Mendelson (baltimoresun.com)

“What we have now is a group of selfish athletes who are going wherever they can get the most money.”

— Harold Mendelson (baltimoresun.com)

“I urge the alumni who contribute to athletic funds that are paying outrageous amounts of money to athletes and coaches to instead donate to academic funds to help students and to worthwhile charities.”

— Harold Mendelson (baltimoresun.com)

The takeaway

This commentary reflects the growing tensions and debates around the increasing commercialization of college sports, with some fans and observers concerned that the rise of lucrative NIL deals and player transfers is undermining the traditional values and purpose of college athletics programs.