Yes NIL isn't tied directly to it, but a rising tide lifts all boats. But moving conferences was a move to get a competitive advantage by getting more TV money. And it just kept raising and raising until we are at where we are today. Networks are largely broke and schools are getting $50M plus per year to spend on recruiting, facilities, housing, stipends...etc. This same money increases value for student athletes who are now getting paid like rockstars to play in college (some, almost all are making a decent living while playing though).

College football is now professional football with the fans paying even more of the bill. Honestly it might be a competitive advantage for a school like BYU to say don't pay me much for the tickets, like $5 but make an $80 per ticket payment to the Royal Blue Collective.