B.C. Lions GM Ryan Rigmaiden raises concern over NIL impact on CFL quarterbacks

Name, image and likeness (NIL) payments have dramatically reshaped college football, and B.C. Lions general manager Ryan Rigmaiden believes the ripple effects are about to hit the CFL — particularly at the quarterback position.

Speaking at the CFL’s offseason winter meetings in Calgary, Rigmaiden said the league could soon face serious challenges attracting quarterbacks.

He pointed to the massive sums now available through NIL deals, noting that while he supports players being compensated, it will be difficult to convince quarterbacks to come to the CFL for contracts worth $80,000 or $90,000 after earning millions in college. He added that NIL money is no longer limited to a handful of stars, with some programs paying every player six-figure sums through collective agreements, while others negotiate individually.

Rigmaiden cited Zach Calzada, recently added to the Ottawa Redblacks’ negotiation list, as a prime example of the shift. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound quarterback began his career at Texas A&M and Auburn before dropping down to the FCS level, where he thrived at the University of the Incarnate Word.

In the past, that type of path often led quarterbacks to the CFL. Now, however, strong performances at smaller programs can result in lucrative late-career transfers to major schools. Calzada reportedly earned more than $1 million in 2025 to move to the University of Kentucky, despite struggling on the field and throwing no touchdowns in three appearances. Even so, his college earnings far exceeded what he could realistically make over many years in the CFL.

Rigmaiden added that this trend is affecting not just the CFL, but the NFL as well. Players are staying in college longer than ever, often seeking sixth or even seventh years of eligibility, rather than turning professional as early as possible.

According to a recent report from The Athletic, quarterbacks at Power Four schools now earn between $100,000 and $300,000 annually as a baseline, with elite recruits earning far more. Texas quarterback Arch Manning reportedly led all college players in 2025 with NIL earnings of $6.8 million.

Historically, the CFL has relied on quarterbacks from Group of Five and FCS programs, producing stars such as Dave Dickenson, Ricky Ray, Henry Burris, Michael Reilly, Travis Lulay, Bo Levi Mitchell, and others. Quarterbacks from top-tier college programs have rarely chosen the CFL, often moving into coaching or media roles once NFL opportunities faded.

With college careers becoming longer and player movement increasing, standout players at lower-level programs are now quickly targeted by major schools offering substantial NIL packages. Rigmaiden noted that frequent transfers were once considered red flags, but have now become the norm.

While he emphasized that players deserve to be paid, Rigmaiden expressed concern over the lack of structure in the current system. He said the league has already begun discussing the issue and expects it to become a bigger focus in upcoming CFL meetings.

How the CFL will adapt remains uncertain, but the impact of NIL on the future quarterback pipeline is becoming impossible to ignore.