NILnomics Research

Free, data-driven analysis on the business of college athletics — delivered to your inbox. Primary-source financial data, original research, and no hot takes. Just the numbers, and what they actually mean.

Latest

The Lane Kiffin Rule Fixes Your Feelings, Not the Calendar

The hiring vacuum is coming

Mark Haines

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Jul 13, 2026

Athletic Department Finance

The 2025-26 Learfield Director's Cup Results. Visualized.

The scores are out. I focus on the finances that drive the standings.

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Jun 29, 2026

Conference Economics

What Conferences Actually Keep: Member Distributions, Overhead, and the Intermediary Margin

Part II of The Conference Ledger — a four-part NILnomics series built entirely from IRS Form 990 filings.

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Jun 23, 2026

Sport Deep-Dives

The Diamond Divide: Inside the Economics of College Baseball

Every June, Omaha becomes the center of the college sports universe. Eight teams, one title, and a lot of money fueling it all.

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Jun 16, 2026