Deion Sanders just made a bold claim that’s stirring up plenty of debate. He said there should be a salary cap on college programs so that powerhouse schools can’t just buy the best talent.
It’s a strong take in today’s NIL-driven landscape, where top programs have massive financial backing and can outbid smaller schools for star power. On the surface, Sanders’ argument seems to be about leveling the playing field and protecting the integrity of college football.
But not everyone’s buying it. Critics were quick to call him out, saying his timing is more than a little convenient.
With both of his sons, Shedeur and Shilo, recently graduating, some feel he’s only speaking up now that he no longer has skin in the game. Before, when his kids were benefiting from NIL deals and national exposure, Sanders didn’t seem too concerned about fairness.
Former NFL star Chad Johnson was one of the first to shut down the idea entirely. But Chad Johnson has unique reasons for disputing Coach Prime’s opinion.
Chad Johnson Shuts Down Deion Sanders’ NIL Salary Cap Demand
During the latest episode of Nightcap, the former wide receiver, Chad Johnson, made it clear he’s not a fan of any salary cap in college football, especially not for players. When asked about Deion Sanders’ call to limit how much schools can pay athletes through NIL deals, Johnson was blunt: “I don’t think so. I don’t like it.”
He quickly flipped the conversation to a bigger point. “Are they going to put a salary cap on the coaches when they go to other places?” he asked. And he’s right. There’s no salary cap for head coaches in college sports. Coaches regularly chase the highest paycheck with no restrictions, so why should student-athletes be treated differently?
“Allow these players to get max value, whatever it is that they’re valued at,” Ocho insisted. To him, capping NIL money punishes athletes who are finally getting paid after decades of generating revenue for schools and the NCAA without compensation.
He admitted that richer programs can afford to build stronger rosters, but he doesn’t think that justifies salary limits. “I don’t like the salary cap idea,” he said. “Allow players to make as much as possible because it was a time where they wasn’t making nothing.”
In Johnson’s eyes, fairness means equal opportunity to earn just like the coaches. And he’s not backing down from that.
Also Read: Did Chad Johnson Confirm He Has Ended Terms With Sharelle Rosado?