• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
Join us May 14 at 1 p.m. ET for Future of Sports: Leagues of Their Own Register Now

Drew Timme Is Using NIL To Secure His Future

  • Timme is making as much in NIL as he would have on a two-way NBA contract.
  • He’s also using NIL to test-drive a future career as a broadcaster.
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

When Gonzaga was knocked out of the 2022 Division I men’s basketball tournament in March, forward Drew Timme was faced with a choice: enter the NBA draft or return to the Zags. 

“There’s a lot of people that have to make money to provide for their family,” Timme told Front Office Sports. “I think we’ve seen a lot of scenarios where kids end up leaving [school] early, but they’re not ready for the pros.” 

Timme didn’t want to make that mistake — and thanks to name, image, and likeness, he didn’t have to. While NIL wasn’t the main reason he returned to Spokane, he said it was a factor. 

Unlike other star players, the senior isn’t relying on the league to deliver earnings or a career. Instead, he’s using NIL deals to both secure guaranteed money now and explore future professions off the court. 

He’s earned six figures in deals — and is even using one to lay the groundwork for a future as a sports broadcaster.

Players Capitalize on NIL During March Madness for First Time

Thanks to name, image, and likeness rules, athletes can monetize one of…
March 17, 2022

Timme reasoned that a two-way NBA deal, his most likely opportunity, pays about $250,000-500,000. While declining to provide a specific number, he said it’s fair to deduce that he’s making at least the value of a two-way deal — if not more. 

His income comprises a long list of brand deals, from Dollar Shave Club — for which he infamously serves as a “chin-fluencer” — to Walker’s Furniture company. He’s also worked with a Gonzaga NIL collective, the Friends of Spike.

But his future considerations didn’t stop with his decision to return to school. 

One of his more atypical deals is with The College Athletes Network, which will pay him to host a podcast. He plans to chat about the Xs and Os of Gonzaga basketball, as well as show a bit of his personality for fans — with the ulterior motive of test-driving a broadcasting career. 

“This podcast thing, it could be really good, and I could love it,” he said. “Or I could be awful, and I could hate it.” He said it’s better to wade into sports media now before finding himself pigeonholed in the future.

“We’re so young, and there’s so many things we can do later on in life,” Timme said. “It’s important not to limit yourself to one thing only. I think you should try out a bunch of things to figure out what you like.”

Thanks to all his NIL opportunities, he has more freedom than ever to do just that.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

July 9, 2009; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons president Joe Dumars during the press conference to introduce their new head coach John Kuester at their practice facility.

Joe Dumars Leaving NBA League Office to Run Pelicans

Joe Dumars was the architect of the 2004 champion Pistons.
Mar 20, 2025; Providence, RI, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks forward Karter Knox (11) controls the ball against Kansas Jayhawks during the first half at Amica Mutual Pavilion.

Men’s March Madness Sets Opening-Day Viewership Record

CBS Sports and TNT Sports scored big with Arkansas–Kansas.

Callaway’s LIV Deal Shows How Much Golf Has Shifted

The company has signed a first-of-its-kind club contract.

Featured Today

Fat Perez reacts after hitting his shot on the 16th tee during the WHOOP Shot at Glory on the 16th hole at TPC in Scottsdale on Feb. 5, 2025.

Golf Influencers Are the New Currency for PGA Tour and LIV

YouTube golf is big business. The rival tours are staging formal events.
Feb 8, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson talks with New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11), forward Mikal Bridges (25), and guard Josh Hart (3) during a timeout in the third quarter against the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden.
May 6, 2025

Before the Villanova Knicks, There Were the Kentucky Celtics

Three decades ago, Boston tried its own version of the college-teammate experiment.
Mar 22, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Joao Fonseca (BRZ) reacts after winning a point against Ugo Humbert (FRA)(not pictured) on day five of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium.
May 6, 2025

João Fonseca Is a Teen Tennis Phenom. His Parents Are Overseeing His..

The Brazilian is forgoing a management team in favor of his parents.
Athlos
May 4, 2025

Nike Wants to Pull Off the First Women’s Sub-4:00 Mile

Experts speak on whether Nike’s “moonshot” is realistic or a gimmick.
May 6, 2025

Big 12 Re-Ups With Brett Yormark As Chaos Reshapes College Sports

Yormark is unafraid to lean in to the professionalization of college sports.
Football
May 7, 2025

Big Ten Beating SEC in Race to $1 Billion in Revenue

The Big Ten is winning the revenue battle, reporting $928 million in 2023–24.
Sponsored

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

Portfolio Players is our bi-weekly spotlight on the athletes and investors reshaping the business of sports. This week, venture capitalist Kai Cunningham unpacks why athletes land top deals and how the usual investing rules don’t always apply.
NCAA Football: Oregon State at California
April 29, 2025

Pac-12 Gets One-Year Test-Run Media Deal Before Expansion

It’s the next step in the league’s rebuild.
Shaquille O'Neal
April 28, 2025

Shaq Taking GM Role at Sacramento State

The news comes amid the school’s push for FBS status.
April 28, 2025

Quinn Ewers Bet on NFL Over NIL—and Left Millions on the Table

The Dolphins picked Ewers in the seventh round of the NFL Draft.
Mar 28, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Lamont Butler (1) dribbles the ball against the Tennessee Volunteers in the first half during a Midwest Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium.
April 25, 2025

College Sports Has Become a Billion-Dollar Business. Kentucky Is Embracing It

Kentucky said its LLC would operate similarly to two hospitals run by the university.