Ryan Day, the head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes, has firmly pushed back against the growing public narrative that Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals were the primary reason behind Ohio State’s success in securing a national championship. In recent months, critics and commentators have increasingly suggested that Ohio State’s triumph on the field was largely bought through NIL collectives and donor-backed financial packages used to attract and retain top-tier talent. Day, however, has strongly refuted these claims, asserting that the Buckeyes’ championship was the result of hard work, commitment, and traditional program values rather than being purely the product of NIL-related incentives.
Addressing the media and fan concerns, Day emphasized that while NIL has indeed become an integral part of modern college football, attributing a national championship solely to financial incentives undermines the integrity, dedication, and efforts of the players, coaching staff, and the entire athletic department. He noted that Ohio State has always been known for its strong football tradition, elite development programs, and a culture built on discipline and excellence. According to Day, these foundational pillars continue to be the true driving force behind the team’s achievements, not just the financial advantages available through NIL.
Furthermore, Day argued that NIL is now a reality for every major college football program, not just Ohio State. He stated that many schools across the country are utilizing NIL to remain competitive, and while Ohio State does offer NIL opportunities to its athletes, those opportunities are within the norms of the current NCAA guidelines and are not excessive or out of step with what other top programs are doing. The notion that NIL is some sort of unfair advantage exclusive to the Buckeyes, he explained, is misleading and dismisses the broader competitive landscape of college athletics.
Day also took time to credit the players for their relentless work ethic, leadership, and commitment to excellence. He highlighted that many of the athletes on the championship-winning team had been with the program for years and had developed through rigorous training, mentorship, and academic discipline. To suggest that their success was merely purchased through NIL dollars, Day said, is not only insulting but also disrespectful to the hours of preparation, sacrifice, and perseverance these young athletes put into their craft.
He further noted that NIL is often misunderstood by the public, with many assuming it functions as a direct “pay-to-play” mechanism. Day clarified that NIL opportunities at Ohio State are earned, not guaranteed. Players must build their personal brands, demonstrate marketability, and contribute to the team in meaningful ways. The program, Day asserted, does not use NIL as a recruiting tool in the manner some outsiders speculate—it supports student-athletes in leveraging their individual success into external partnerships, which is an opportunity available to them under current NCAA rules.
In closing, Day reiterated that the national championship was not simply the result of deep pockets or financial engineering but rather the culmination of a year’s worth of relentless effort, team unity, coaching excellence, and strategic execution. While NIL plays a role in modern college football, it does not—and should not—diminish the sweat equity and team spirit that still define championship success. The Buckeyes earned their title through merit, and any claims to the contrary, in Day’s view, are both baseless and unfair.
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