• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
Tuned In returns to NYC on September 16. Hear from the biggest names in sports media. Click here to get your spot

Revenue-Sharing Model Could Boost Programs in Football’s Shadow

Texas track star Sam Hurley has never gotten any money from the school’s NIL collective. But the new revenue sharing model could change the financial picture for athletes like him.

Texas' Sam Hurley watches the announcement of the competitors in the high jump at the 2023 NCAA outdoor track and field championships, June 9, 2023 at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin, Texas.
Imagn Images

As part of the landmark House v. NCAA settlement, starting July 1, colleges can share up to $20.5 million annually with their athletes, an amount expected to increase by about 4% each year. 

Texas and Texas Tech, for instance, said they plan to allocate roughly 75% to football—likely a common model for big schools where football (and basketball) programs are the most lucrative. 

However, many sports programs—such as track and field, softball, volleyball, and golf—often operate at a net-loss, and name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals for those athletes are harder to come by. And even though the $20.5 million doesn’t have to be equitably distributed among all sports within an athletic department, it will at least guarantee some cash flow to athletes in smaller sports.

Before revenue sharing, an NIL collective’s discretion was the only way for athletes to profit from their sport outside of brand deals. But sometimes they get the short end of the stick. Texas track and field star Sam Hurley notched several wins and numerous top-fives in combined events during his four years in Austin. Even for Hurley, who has built a huge social media following with more than 4.5 million followers across Instagram and TikTok and brought attention to the school, NIL collectives can leave athletes with no return.

“The [Texas] One Fund definitely benefits certain athletes for sure. Unfortunately, not every student athlete,” he told host Deja Kelly on the Front Office Sports series Nilosophy. “I’ve never received anything from One Fund. But I know a lot of people have, and I know definitely football. I mean, that’s the breadwinner. So I understand that.” (Hurley told FOS he entered the transfer portal, so won’t be at Texas next year.)

In some cases, the revenue-sharing model could offer players in these Olympic sports income they didn’t get from NIL collectives. In Texas Tech’s example, about $920,000 (4.5% of cap) will be allocated to sports outside of football, men’s and women’s basketball, and baseball.

The rise in softball’s popularity might incentivize schools to offer more money to players as the sport grows—a decision that could help give a boost to the sports programs stuck in college football’s shadow.

“Just a couple people that might get some collective money on track, but 99% don’t,” Hurley said. “But that’s also like part of the downside of NIL, it’s not fair… And, I mean, I’m in a sport that’s not a big money sport. It kind of sucks that we’re not getting paid the millions of dollars that football is. But at the same time, it’s like football just makes the money for the One Fund. I can’t argue because I get it.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Featured Today

2000, Jupiter, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Montreal Expos pitcher Hideki Irabu in action on the mound against the New York Mets at Roger Dean Stadium during Spring Training

Dead Sports Franchises Are Alive and Well on Twitter

The Expos, Sonics, and Whalers have active social media accounts.
Limited Hype
July 27, 2025

Sneaker Reselling Was Once Easy Money. Success Is Now Complicated

Vendors need to evolve what they’re selling and how they do it.
HAPPY GILMORE 2. BTS - (L to R) Adam Sandler as Happy Gilmore and Rory McIlroy as himself on the set of Happy Gilmore2.
July 26, 2025

‘Cool As Hell’: How ‘Happy Gilmore 2’ Hooked Golf’s Top Stars

The process was “cool as hell,” Adam Sandler tells FOS.
Ryan Field Construction
exclusive
July 19, 2025

First Look Inside Northwestern’s $862 Million New Ryan Field

Five big things FOS learned on our exclusive stadium tour.
Rutgers

Rutgers Finds New Athletic Director After Almost a Year

Rutgers’s previous athletic director, Pat Hobbs, resigned in August 2024.
President Donald Trump speaks during the American 250 kickoff event on July 3, 2025, at the Iowa State Fairgrouds.
July 24, 2025

Trump Signs Executive Order on College Sports Pay

The order marks Trump’s first foray into legislating college sports compensation.
July 24, 2025

UNC’s Bill Belichick Brings His NFL Swagger to ACC Media Days

UNC is becoming one of the most interesting stories in college football.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
July 24, 2025

ACC’s Phillips on FSU, Clemson: ‘It Can Never Be About a School..

The commissioner isn’t worried about more conference realignment.
Jul 22, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti speaks to the media during the Big Ten NCAA college football media days at Mandalay Bay Resort.
exclusive
July 23, 2025

As Other Power Leagues Shy Away From PE, the Big Ten Continues..

Tony Petitti told FOS conversations were ongoing.
Bill Belichick
July 23, 2025

UNC Sells Out All Football Tickets for Belichick Debut Season

Consistent drama around Belichick’s first college season has only helped ticket sales.
exclusive
July 23, 2025

Jim Phillips: ACC Cautious With Sports Betting Deals, Not Sold on PE

The conference is implementing new rules about injury reports.