Why a UCLA Football Player Didn’t Thank Troy Aikman
Troy Aikman Reflects on NIL Experience, Pledges to Step Away
Former UCLA quarterback Troy Aikman has announced that he is finished with name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals after a disappointing experience with a UCLA football player who failed to express gratitude and subsequently transferred after one season.
During an interview on the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch, Aikman shared his frustration over a generous contribution he made, stating, “I gave money to a kid, I won’t mention who. I’ve done it one time at UCLA, never met the young man. He was there a year, he left after the year. I wrote a sizable check, and he went to another school. I didn’t even get so much as a thank-you note. So, it’s one of those deals, to where I’m done with NIL.”
According to a source familiar with UCLA’s NIL operations, the player was unaware of Aikman’s involvement, understanding only that the funds were facilitated by the team’s collective, Men of Westwood. This is a common practice, as players typically do not know which alumni or donors contribute to their NIL compensation.
Despite his disappointment, Aikman did receive acknowledgments from Men of Westwood’s leadership, as well as from UCLA coach Chip Kelly and athletic director Martin Jarmond.
In his comments, Aikman emphasized the need for deeper accountability within the framework of NIL deals. He expressed support for a system where players may transfer freely during coaching changes but should remain committed to their programs otherwise. “There’s got to be some leadership at the very top that kind of cleans all of this up,” he asserted. “There’s got to be some accountability and responsibility on their behalf, to have to stick to a program.”
The implications of Aikman’s decision reflect broader concerns within the college sports landscape regarding donor engagement and player commitment, raising questions about the future direction of NIL agreements.
