North Texas college athletics are turning into big business, with schools like SMU, TCU, and UTA now managing multi-million dollar budgets and paying student-athletes directly. Starting in 2025, schools can spend up to $20.5 million a year on athletes, making recruiting and roster-building feel more like running a pro sports franchise. Some schools are hiring NFL salary cap experts, while others are leaning on donors and creative NIL deals. The shift is raising big questions: Will this level the playing field or just make the rich richer? And are student-athletes ready for the financial pressures? #Sports #NorthTexas #CollegeSports