From NIL to real estate: strategic revenue adaptation in the post-house era of college athletics
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Recent legal and financial reforms have altered the business model of college sports. The erosion of the NCAA's amateurism defense (culminating in the House settlement) has formalized athlete compensation and introduced direct labor expenses into athletic departments finances for the first time. Concurrently, the transfer mobility of athletes, new federal oversight, and the continuing evolution of NIL markets has increased competition among schools for athlete talent while also constricting institutional margins. With approximately 22% of athletics revenue designated for athlete compensation, universities now encounter a new financial mandate to either generate new revenue streams or accept new deficits with long-term fiscal consequences. Drawing from professional sports, this paper examines sport-anchored, mixed-use real estate development as a strategic mechanism for college athletic departments to generate new revenues for athlete labor costs. This conceptual analysis positions real estate development as a revenue hedge and strategic adaptation to the post- House financial environment.
Authors: Nikolas R. Webster, Jeffrey Carr
Institution: University of Michigan
Language: English
Subfield: Economics and Econometrics
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,353
OpenAlex ID: W7124298661