Sports College athletics used to have a word for shoe companies paying athletes: Cheating. Now, it’s legit. | Opinion March 24, 2022 Dan Wolken, USA TODAY Comments Off on College athletics used to have a word for shoe companies paying athletes: Cheating. Now, it’s legit. | Opinion A few years ago, it was criminal for shoe companies to lure college recruits with money. But NIL rules mean they can now pay athletes out in the open.