The landscape of college sports is undergoing a significant transformation, as amateurism fades and the market for athletes’ name, image, and likeness (NIL) expands. In a new documentary titled “Paid to Play: Understanding College Sports in 2025,” which airs on December 28, 2025, at 20:30 ET, ESPN’s Jeremy Schaap examines this shift and its implications for the future of collegiate athletics.
Documentary Overview
The one-hour E60 special investigates how the traditional notions of playing for school pride and the love of the game have evolved. Athletes are now navigating a high-stakes environment where they can receive direct payments from schools and leverage their NIL in a competitive marketplace. The documentary showcases how the NCAA transfer portal allows players to change teams freely, further altering the dynamics of college sports.
Viewers will gain insights into the motivations behind this shift, including the financial pressures faced by universities and the growing influence of commercial interests in collegiate athletics.
Viewing Details and Interactive Features
Fans can watch the debut of “Paid to Play” on ESPN or stream it via the ESPN App shortly after its television premiere. The E60 documentary is part of a broader initiative by ESPN to provide comprehensive coverage of college sports.
Additionally, ESPN has developed an interactive game that allows fans to step into the shoes of a college athletic director. This engaging platform challenges players to navigate decisions surrounding NIL and the transfer portal, providing a dynamic perspective on the evolving college sports landscape.
Since its inception in 2007, E60 has distinguished itself as a premier storytelling brand, offering a combination of revealing profiles, investigative journalism, and exclusive interviews. The program has garnered multiple accolades, including the Sports Emmy for Outstanding Hosted Edited Series five times, with its latest recognition occurring in 2025.
For fans seeking additional college sports content, ESPN offers extensive coverage across various sports, including college football, men’s college basketball, and women’s college basketball. Viewers can explore dedicated hub pages for more in-depth reporting and analysis.
This documentary promises to shed light on an important and evolving aspect of sports culture, making it a must-see for anyone interested in the future of college athletics.
