FCA's Mike Blanc: Ministry amid the downsides of NIL cash and cars for college sports

Cash and valuable prizes have changed college sports ministry Mike Blanc, director of pro and elite sports ministries for FCA A Family Life Special News Feature Now that the brackets are set for the NCAA women's and men's basketball tournaments, we explore a new era for college sports.  Court rulings now say that "amateur" players across all college sports can earn payments for use of their "name, image, and likeness".  While these athletes can earn hundreds of thousands of dollars -- and for a few prime stars, one or more millions -- a leader in the national Fellowship of Christian Athletes says there is a downside for many of these young students. Mike Blanc, a former Pittsburgh Steeler and now FCA's director for pro and elite sports, says the "NIL" era has opened new and important opportunities for Christian ministry. He tells us that the big payoffs result in big pressure. Someone who is given so much money to play his or her sport also carries the expectation that they must perform at a level that is worth that investment. That, Blanc says, flies in the face of the individual's value as measured through the Lord's grace. This is our second interview with Mike Blanc, who is also is a veteran of sports ministry for the University of Miami. You can hear our first conversation with him -- about how more bigtime coaches and athletes are being bold in talking about and demonstrating their faith. These public figures in turn can inspire teammates, fans, and school-age athletes to be open with sharing their faith. Find that podcast on www.FamilyLife.org/newspodcasts as our 3/03/2025 Special Feature.