• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, December 24, 2025

NIL Deals Affecting More Than Superstars

Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports/Design: Alex Brooks

It’s been more than a month since college athletes were first able to profit from their name, image, and likeness — and some significant money has been earned.

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young has made close to $1 million, while Hercy Miller — an incoming Tennessee State University basketball player and Master P’s son — signed a $2 million endorsement with Web Apps America.

Athlete marketing platform Opendorse shared its numbers from the first month, revealing how much the average student athlete is earning in this new era for college sports. 

  • Division I: $471 average ($210,000 peak)
  • Division II: $81 average ($750 peak)
  • Division III: $47 average ($50 peak)

Football captured 79% of the NIL market share, with men’s basketball following at 9.6% and women’s volleyball at 5.5%. 

Nearly half (46%) of the 2,500 athletes included in Opendorse’s data earned income from social media promotions, and 29% earned money from licensing their NIL rights. The rest came from signing autographs, making appearances, content creation, hosting camps, and selling products.

Last week, Utah-based Built Bar introduced an innovative twist on NIL deals when it told all 36 BYU football walk-ons that the company would pay for their tuition.

Editor’s Note: Opendorse is an FOS partner.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Georgia, Ex-Football Player Suing Each Other in NIL Dispute

Star DE Damon Wilson transferred to Missouri after two years at Georgia.
Nov 29, 2025; Stanford, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Kenny Minchey (8) runs with the football during the fourth quarter against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium.

Notre Dame’s Future Even Cloudier After Cancelling USC Series

The historic rivalry game won’t be played in 2026 or 2027.
Dec 6, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia defensive back Jacorey Thomas (20) makes a tackle on Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard (5) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The Year Schools Paid Their Players

Players earned millions more than ever before.
Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Isaiah Sategna III (5) smiles as he scores a touchdown during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the LSU Tigers at Gaylord Family Ð Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. Oklahoma won 17-13.

Athlete Advocacy Group Proposes College Sports CBA

More conference administrators have endorsed collective bargaining.

Featured Today

Rob Manfred
exclusive

MLB Teams Fear League Will Pick Winners and Losers in Tech

One company under consideration was founded by a top MLB exec’s uncle.
December 23, 2025

What It Takes to Pull Off Florida’s First Outdoor NHL Game

The Rangers will face the Panthers in Miami’s first NHL Winter Classic.
December 14, 2025

How Pickleball Became One Massive Private-Equity Rollup

Pickleball roads lead back to billionaire Tom Dundon.
Dec 9, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) dribbles against Toronto Raptors guard Jamal Shead (23) during the first half at the 2025-26 NBA Emirates Cup at Scotiabank Arena
December 13, 2025

The Lucrative NBA Cup Is Here to Stay

The in-season tournament, launched in 2023, is turning into a staple.

Darryn Peterson’s Family Is Making Injury Decisions, Self Says

Peterson is the projected top pick in June’s NBA Draft.
December 21, 2025

LSU Coach Lane Kiffin Earns $250K Bonus After Ole Miss’s CFP Win

LSU agreed to pay Kiffin’s performance bonus terms at Ole Miss.
Dec 20, 2025; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning celebrates during the third quarter against the James Madison Dukes at Autzen Stadium.
December 23, 2025

Oregon’s Dan Lanning Criticizes CFP’s Neutral Sites and Scheduling

The Ducks are traveling to the Orange Bowl to play Texas Tech.
Sponsored

The Hidden Tech Behind Every Touchdown

Nearly two-thirds of NFL stadiums already rely on Cisco networks, and the Super Bowl will showcase the full scale of the partnership.
December 21, 2025

CFP First-Round Results Vindicate Committee, Expose Group of 6

The early results raise questions about the selection process and future formats.
December 21, 2025

Kenny Dillingham Is Looking for Arizona State’s Phil Knight

Dillingham says ASU needs a super booster.
Sep 20, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Tulane Green Wave head coach Jon Sumrall looks on during the second quarter against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
December 19, 2025

Tulane’s Jon Sumrall Juggling Act Heading Into College Football Playoff

Tulane AD David Harris spoke to FOS about the coaching shake-up.
Brad Underwood
December 19, 2025

College Basketball Teams Are Plucking Pros From Abroad Midseason

Illinois signed a Croatian forward earlier this week.