Brett Johnson Embraces NIL But Doesn't Expect it to be Life-Changing

The CAlegends.com collective, which is not tied to the university, will allow athletes to earn money from fans, boosters or businesses that would like to contribute to their financial well-being.

Brett Johnson, junior defensive lineman for the Bears, said he has hired an NIL agent and they are working on a few potential deals. He has created an account through the CAlegends collective but hasn’t negotiated any deals to this point.

Johnson doesn’t expect any of it to be life-changing for him.

“As a college athlete, a little bit,” he said of the change he anticipates.

“But say I was getting boatloads of money from whatever, at the end of the day I’ve still got to go to class, got to show up and work hard with football,” he added.

“So I can’t realistically see it making that much of a difference in my life, based on what I prioritize and what I value.”

However it unfolds, Johnson is on board with the changes.

“I think it’s a good thing,” he said. “I don’t see why athletes shouldn’t be getting paid for name, image and likeness.”