SEC Coaches Question If NIL Money Makes Players Less Hungry

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart suggested that unrestricted transfer policies and Name, Image, Likeness earning opportunities have reduced player motivation. He noted his current roster is less physically demanding than teams in previous years because players now earn significantly more money before they turn forty. While acknowledging the financial disparity caused by NIL legislation has allowed smaller programs to compete with powerhouses like Alabama and Ohio State, Smart implied this wealth may be affecting how much effort athletes put into their daily practices.