Monday December 4, 2023

NIL Collectives Are Slacking on Supporting Women’s Sports

  • Only 34% of existing collectives offered compensation to women’s sports athletes so far, according to Opendorse.
  • Most compensation for women’s sports athletes — 79% — comes from brand endorsement deals.
Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

In 2022, name, image, and likeness collectives — groups of donors, alumni, and local businesses who pooled resources to provide deals to local athletes — took the college sports landscape by storm.

More than 250 collectives have popped up nationwide, from the richest Power 5 programs to some of the smaller no-football schools, according to an Opendorse white paper.

But they have largely failed women’s sports athletes. 

Only 34% of existing collectives offered compensation to women’s sports athletes so far, the report found. The number is particularly disappointing given that collectives account for almost 50% of total NIL compensation.

To date, a few examples of collectives have galvanized women’s sports athletes. 

Perhaps one of the most prominent examples: Utah women’s gymnastics is one of the few women’s programs with a team-specific collective called “Who Rocks The House.”

But the vast majority of involvement comes from multi-sport collectives that have also funded women’s athletes.

Tulane Rides Wave of Historic Season With NIL Donations

Fans donated hundreds of thousands in donations to a Tulane NIL collective.
January 5, 2023
  • A NIL collective for Michigan State athletes called “This Is Sparta!” organized $5,000 deals for every member of the Spartans women’s gymnastics team.
  • South Carolina’s “Garnet Trust” created a program aiming to earn every women’s basketball player an average of $25,000 — a deal brokered with the help of coach Dawn Staley.
  • Tulane’s “Fear The Wave” offered deals to every women’s basketball player. Co-founder Kelly Comarda recently told Front Office Sports the football team’s success galvanized fans to contribute to more women’s deals.

Women’s sports athletes earn 79% of NIL income from brand endorsement deals.

Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

CFP Selection Turns Heads with Controversial Selection

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

The College Football Playoff is considering rotating TV networks for the national championship game.

CFP Considers Super Bowl-Like Rotation For National Championship Game

Multiple networks could share rights to the championship game, sources told FOS.
Brett Favre
November 27, 2023

Favre Welfare Case Hold-Up? "AG’s Office Has Not Expressed Interest In Pursuing"

The DOJ interviewed Brett Favre in early 2020.
The future of the Pac-12 rests on a court decision.
November 24, 2023

The Pac-12 Plays Its Final Regular-Season Game. Then A Court Decides Its Fate.

The conference's future rests with a court decision.
Lane Kiffin
November 9, 2023

Ole Miss, Lane Kiffin Lawyers Argue for Dismissal of Player Lawsuit

FOS obtained audio of Lane Kiffin's interaction with the player behind lawsuit.

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
Wasserman
Multiple - USA Careers
Live Nation
Multiple - USA Careers
Saco Bay PT
Multiple - USA Careers

After Unbeaten FSU’s Snub, Financial and Legal Fallout

FSU, ACC to take sizable revenue hit despite Seminoles' undefeated season.
Oregon State and Washington State appear to be making contingency plans to operate as a two-school conference while their lawsuit against the Pac-12 winds through state court.
November 28, 2023

Oregon State, Washington State Make Contingency Plan as Lawsuit Delayed

It will take at least another month for a court decision.
November 30, 2023

Power 4 Commissioners Split On Fate of Conference Title Games

Georgia and Alabama play in Saturday's SEC Championship Game.
Sponsored

NHL’s Chris Foster on Amplifying Content Distribution With Automation

Learn how the NHL is using WSC Sports to increase fan engagement.
Delaware receiver Kym Wimberly leaves St. Francis defenders behind as he turns a reception into a touchdown in the final minute of the first half at Delaware Stadium, Saturday Sept. 16, 2023.
November 27, 2023

Delaware to Pay $5M to Move to Conference USA, FBS

Delaware will be the first football program to pay the FBS $5M.
Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh's comments on athlete compensation highlight the NCAA's hypocrisy.
November 27, 2023

Jim Harbaugh’s Athlete Compensation Comments Highlight NCAA Hypocrisy

Harbaugh can donate to athletic department employees, but not players.
November 26, 2023

Schools Owe Fired CFB Coaches A Record $118M In Buyouts (So Far)

Firings over the weekend broke a record for buyout figures.
Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Steele Chambers and Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Cody Simon tackle Michigan Wolverines running back Hassan Haskins during the first quarter of their NCAA College football at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, MI on November 27, 2021.
November 21, 2023

Ohio State-Michigan Records Priciest Ticket In Rivalry History

The cheapest ticket to Saturday's game is $676 on the secondary market.