Overview
- German players Ivan Kharchenkov, Eric Reibe, Dwayne Koroma and Malick Kordel are in the NCAA Final Four this weekend at Indianapolis' 70,000-seat Lucas Oil Stadium.
- Since 2021, U.S. college athletes can earn from their name, image and likeness, turning student players into paid endorsers instead of unpaid amateurs.
- Bayern and Alba Berlin executives warn of a growing exodus and note that European teams receive no compensation when teenagers leave for U.S. programs.
- For many prospects who earn under €100,000 in Germany, NIL deals can pay several times more, and Kharchenkov’s 2025 move from Bayern to Arizona reflects that pull.
- The event’s scale—seen in UConn’s long-range, last-seconds Elite Eight winner and tickets listed up to $15,000—boosts visibility and raises players’ market value.