Deloitte's role is not to DENY or invalidate any NIL deal. Deloitte's role is to review and evaluate submitted NIL deals. Deloitte does not say "you can't do this". Deloitte will say "cleared" - which means this deal checks the boxes for fair market value based on a variety of factors. If the deal does not meet requirements, they will outline so and allow for restructuring of the deal so that it does. The NCAA is still responsible for separately pursuing, reviewing and evaluating any deals that may violate any eligibility requirements. Until the NCAA does something about any NIL deal not following the rules, there is still really no strict regulation. As someone who has worked closely with Deloitte for years, they are experts at creating a perceived value/role in your business, and in this case they are giving the NCAA a legal crutch to point to their position and role with NIL GO. The NCAA still hasn't shown they are willing to pursue any potential NIL deals that don't follow guidelines, although I believe almost all submitted to NIL GO have been cleared (or at least restructured to eventually clear). I've spoken directly with Deloitte Sports executives on this matter and I assure you, it's classic consulting/auditing positioning. Again, if your NIL deal is not "cleared", they will tell you it is not, and allow you to revise repeatedly until it does "clear". It's more of a resource for reassurance for both the NCAA and the players (the NCAA doesn't want 1,000 NIL deals that violate any rules, and players don't want to unknowingly become ineligible -not that the NCAA is willing to push that issue right now). To add further nuance to all of this, the criteria used to determine fair market value is so vague and complex, it's almost impossible to not make an argument for fair market value. For example, one of the factors in determining fair market value is explictily stated as previous NIL deals for similar circumstances. So the precedent has been set that a top QB, performing certain basic obligations, is already worth the price set forth. I don't know what that number is, but for example if Carson Beck is paid $2M for x, y and z - that is now the precedent for some of the criteria for fair market value. A bit long here but the summary is this is all mostly for show. It's meant to protect the NCAA, but also the players to some degree (or the scenario of the NCAA needing to deal with 10,000 ineligible athletes). ** Edited by Hokie Trainer at 11/19/2025, 12:49:07 PM ** Edited by Hokie Trainer at 11/19/2025, 1:54:48 PM