What happened: Membership in that tier varies by who is counting. The transparency push argues disclosure would curb agents bidding to reset the market for leverage.
Why it matters: Unverified NIL demands directly shape roster construction and competitive balance during the 2026 regular season. Without shared figures, programs risk overpaying to keep pace while less-funded teams bid against numbers they cannot verify.
What to watch: Watch whether programs or conferences push for standardized NIL disclosure as the 2026 season continues.