Administrators at historically Black colleges and universities are warning that the rapid professionalization and monetization of college athletics is widening resource gaps and threatening long-term viability for smaller programs. North Carolina A&T athletic director Earl Hilton told reporters that HBCUs lack the facilities, donor bases and media deals enjoyed by Power Five programs even as athletes gain new pay opportunities. The shift affects recruitment, alumni fundraising, and campus branding—forcing HBCU leaders to reassess athletic strategy, partnerships with pro leagues and student-athlete support models.