And, according to at least one P5 head coach, a good starting QB can net $1-2 million from NIL. So, going somewhere you can start can have huge financial implications. Kyle McCord had a solid season at OSU - 11-1, few interceptions - but the coach wants a bigger impact player (esp. with Marvin Harrison leaving) - and so McCord can likely land a million dollar+ starting job at another major program (LSU, USC, ND, etc.) - instead of earning not much at all as the backup next season.

As it relates to writing, this is the same deal: You can stay where you are even as earnings decline OR you can branch out - for me, Substack has been a great place for some of my stories (on ed policy and consumer news) while Medium remains a place for community and for sharing personal stories and fiction.