The NCAA landscape has been forever changed by the transfer portal and the introduction of NIL, which allows student-athletes to receive compensation via sponsorship deals. However, these changes have blurred the line between what exactly preserves the amateur designation of athletes.
Earlier this month, [a former professional basketball player committed to play college basketball for the Louisville Cardinals.](https://thecomeback.com/college-basketball/maine-celtics-london-johnson-commits-to-louisville-cardinals.html)
“G-League Ignite point guard London Johnson has committed to Louisville in the 2026 class, source told (The Field of 68). Johnson, 21, spent last year in the G League with the Maine (Celtics) and Cleveland Charge. Likely will have two years left to play. Johnson, who played his high school ball at Norcross in Georgia, is expected to arrive in Louisville mid-year and will sit out for the rest of the season, and be eligible next year,” reported Jeff Goodman.
Former college football head coach Nick Saban is not happy with where things are trending in college sports.
“We’re letting G League players come play in college? Pretty soon, we’re going to have the New York Giants’ backup quarterback not getting enough development, so we’re going to send him to Penn State or somewhere else for a year to play.
“It’s crazy, absolutely crazy. Why not make these kids professionals, treat them like professionals and collective bargain the whole thing?” [he asked, according to On3.](https://x.com/On3sports/status/1983673954301849776)
Fans reacted to Saban’s take on social media.
“He wants that to happen because he’s salty he had to retire early because he lost his competitive advantage. Now he just wants college football to completely implode,” one fan wrote on Twitter.
“The true fiction is that Power 4 college football is somehow akin to college rowing, wrestling, gymnastics, softball, etc. The NCAA has perpetuated this myth to hang on to its power and funding,” someone else added.
“It is getting weird. Couple his points with the debatably diminishing value of college these days…not really sure what we’re doing either,” another person added.
It’ll be interesting to see where things go from here.