The CFP semifinalists and the NIL collectives that back them

By RALPH D. RUSSO The Associated Press
FILE0 Ohio State defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau (44) celebrates with his teammates Jack Sawyer (33), Zach Harrison (9) and Lathan Ransom (12) after returning an interception for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against Penn State, on Oct. 29, 2022, in State College, Pa. Even though they're playing for a shot at the national championship in the Peach Bowl's College Football Playoff semifinal against No. 1 Georgia on Saturday, No. 4 Ohio State players haven't moved past their 45-23 loss to rival Michigan on Nov. 26. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger, File)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Barry Reeger]

It has been 18 months since the NCAA lifted a ban on name, image and likeness compensation for college athletes. Since then, donor-funded, third-party groups that operate outside an athletic department have become all the rage. They are called collectives and most Power Five schools have at least one. A look at the four teams competing in the College Football Playoff and the collectives that support them tell a tale of uncertainty and entrepreneurship amid a lack of uniform regulations.

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