648. The Merger You Never Knew You Wanted

In this episode of Freakonomics Radio, Stephen Dubner explores the complex economics of college sports and the NFL, focusing on the exploitation of college athletes and the changing landscape of compensation. Through interviews with Domonique Foxworth, Victor Matheson, Jeffrey Kessler, Oliver Luck, and DeMaurice Smith, the podcast examines the history of the NCAA's amateurism rules, the recent changes allowing athletes to be paid for their name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights, and the potential for a merger between college and professional leagues. The discussion covers the financial incentives driving college sports, the antitrust loopholes benefiting the NFL, and the possibility of implementing a promotion and relegation system similar to European soccer leagues.