Malachi Moore praises Alabama's NIL culture, outlines numerous benefits

Alabama defensive back Malachi Moore has been through a lot, coming into college during the COVID-19-impacted 2020 campaign and running it through to the 2024 season he’s about to begin.

He’s had time to digest plenty of changes in the sport, not the least of which was the full adoption of athletes being allowed to profit off their name, image and likeness (NIL).

He joined the Paul Finebaum Show on Wednesday and discussed some of the benefits of NIL, of which there are many.

“NIL has been a great aspect for us college athletes,” Malachi Moore said. “I think it has a lot of positives, from just being able to use your platform in a positive way, whether that’s raise awareness for certain organizations that you feel strongly about or that’s you using your name to have a back-to-school drive or anything of that nature.”

There are also some more selfish benefits, if you can even call them that. Athletes are now able to monetize on their NIL, earning some extra money on the side while playing the sport.

That can have a host of uses.

“And also putting money in our pocket so we can help ourselves and help our families if we need to,” Malachi Moore said. “I think it’s something that’s evolving each and every year and it’s something that’s been a positive in college sports.”

Despite some fear-mongering that NIL might drastically alter the sport or change it entirely, most seem to agree the impacts have been fairly benign so far.

Alabama, at least, has not had any adverse affects. The Crimson Tide are still competing for championships, as evidenced by last year’s run to the College Football Playoffs.

There hasn’t been any overarching chemistry issue or anything like that.

“Yeah, I think that’s a credit to our culture here,” Malachi Moore said. “We kind of just keep the main thing the main thing.”

Instead, Alabama players seem to be finding the right balance of community service type events to profit from NIL and other avenues that can lead to a more comfortable life. Not just for the players, but for their families, too.

“It’s great to be able to get paid off our name, image and likeness now and using our platform in ways to make money for ourselves and be able to live comfortably in college,” Malachi Moore said. “Sometimes it’s hard to go find something to eat but now since NIL, we’re, most of the time you’re straight to go have something to eat or send money home to your people if they need it. It’s been a great thing.”