Matt Rhule’s Inspiring Take on Revenue Sharing
By: Trevor Tarr
College football is changing fast. If you’re not living under a rock, you’ve probably noticed just how different the sport looks compared to even five or ten years ago. Between realignment, NIL, and now revenue sharing, the game we thought we knew for so long is evolving into something completely new.
Nebraska’s move from the Big 12 to the Big 10 felt like a major shift at the time, but it was only the beginning. Now players are earning money through their name, image, and likeness (NIL), sometimes without much accountability for performance. Power Four programs are preparing to share up to $20.5 million in revenue with athletes, and on top of that, there’s a massive lawsuit that could require backpay for players who never got their cut in previous eras.
It’s a lot to keep up with. And it’s only going to get more complicated
Over the past year, numerous recruits have mentioned that Nebraska’s coaching staff is one of the most honest and direct they’ve experienced. Rhule and his staff don’t sell false hope. They tell players exactly how it is, what they’ll need to do to earn their role, and what kind of culture they’re expected to be a part of. And that honesty has become part of Nebraska’s identity.
Of course, Nebraska has the money and the resources to potentially compete for top players. But Rhule is trying to build something deeper. He wants a team that earns everything it gets, not one built on buying loyalty or chasing followers.
To me, this approach is exactly what Nebraska needs right now. It creates a locker room where players are motivated, where effort is rewarded, and where everyone knows the standard. If someone wants more money, the path is simple: perform. Produce. Earn it.
As we head into Year 3 under Matt Rhule, I truly believe this mindset could be the foundation for something special. If things go right in 2025, Nebraska could finally break through and return to national relevance, not just because of talent, but because of the values the program is being rebuilt on.
Thanks for reading. I appreciate your time, and I’ll be back later this week with a preview for the Iowa game to close out my season outlook series. Go Big Red.
That’s why I found Matt Rhule’s recent interview on 93.7 The Ticket so refreshing. Yesterday (6/11), Rhule joined the “Early Break” and was asked how he plans to manage Nebraska’s roster through this new age of NIL and revenue sharing. His response was honest and direct:
“We all want to eat, but we eat what we kill in this program.”
That line stuck with me. In Rhule’s world, you earn what you get. It’s not about promises or even expectations, it’s about production.
Rhule explained that this approach has already had an impact. Some players from last year’s team left, likely chasing bigger NIL deals elsewhere. But he also warned that some of those guys were promised money they didn’t end up receiving.
“A lot of guys who went in [the portal], were promised a certain amount of money,” Rhule said, “and at the end of spring are not making that amount anymore.”
He’s not shy about warning his current players either. Fast money might sound good, but it’s not always real. And in a world where deals are being made behind closed doors and not always honored, Rhule wants to build something more sustainable.
What I admire most about his stance is that it goes beyond money. Rhule’s focus is on character. He wants players who are coachable, accountable, and ready to work. He and his staff believe you can teach football, but you can’t teach attitude or integrity. That has to come with the player.