• Loading stock data...
Monday, March 23, 2026

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

Mar 19, 2026; Portland, OR, USA; Texas Longhorns guard Tramon Mark (12) blocks BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) in the second half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images

AJ Dybantsa, BYU Are Latest Non-Blueblood Pairing To Exit Early

Texas upset BYU on Thursday night, ending A.J. Dybantsa’s freshman season.
exclusive

Texas A&M Athlete Targeted in First NIL Investigations, Emails Show

A Texas A&M spokesperson said in a statement the inquiry has been resolved.
Mar 22, 2025; Providence, RI, USA; McNeese State Cowboys manager Amir Khan before a second round men’s NCAA Tournament game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Amica Mutual Pavilion.

Viral McNeese Student Manager Makes March Madness Return

Khan said he executed more than 20 endorsement deals last year.
Mar 12, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Trent Perry (0) shoots against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second half at United Center.

‘Players Are Workers’ and Deserve Right to Unionize: Former NLRB Exec

The SCORE Act would not designate student-athletes as employees.

Featured Today

Beau Brune/LSU

College Athletic Departments Are Becoming Media Companies

“There’s only so many tickets you can sell, but content is infinite.”
March 18, 2026

AI College Recruiting Reels Aren’t Fooling Scouts

College coaches and recruiters are way ahead of cheating athletes.
March 7, 2026

Alex Eala Has Become One of the Biggest Draws in Tennis

Eala will face Coco Gauff in the third round at Indian Wells.
Jun 9, 2021; Paris, France; The racket of Coco Gauff (USA) after she smashed it during her match against Barbora Krejcikova (CZE) on day 11 of the French Open at Stade Roland Garros
March 6, 2026

The ‘Rage Room’ Is the Hottest Place in Tennis

The idea came from a player podcast.

Sweet 16 Runs Show Veteran Coaches Are Still Thriving in the NIL Era

Five of the NCAA’s Sweet 16 coaches are 67 or older.
March 22, 2026

This Year’s Cinderellas Aren’t Really Cinderellas—and They’re Rich

Texas, Iowa, and St. John’s all have more resources than previous underdogs.
March 23, 2026

Darryn Peterson Says ‘Mind Stuff’ Derailed Bizarre College Season

Peterson would not confirm whether he was declaring for the NBA draft.
Sponsored

Paul Rabil: Why Owning a Team Is a 100x Bet

Paul Rabil shares how he left an established league to build PLL.
Mar 19, 2026; Portland, OR, USA; High Point Panthers forward Owen Aquino (8) blocks the shot of Wisconsin Badgers guard Nick Boyd (2) during the second half of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center
March 20, 2026

Mid-Majors Use March Madness to Lobby for High-Major Matchups

Underdog programs want—and need—more games against high-major teams.
Vanderbilt Commodores forward Tyler Nickel (5) celebrates after making a 3-pointer during a first-round game in the NCAA men's basketball tournament between McNeese and Vanderbilt at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Thursday, March 19, 2026.
March 20, 2026

Not Just Football: Vanderbilt Sports Surge Hits March Madness

The men’s basketball team earned its first NCAA tournament win since 2012.
Dec 13, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; President Donald J Trump cross the field at half time of the game between the Navy Midshipmen and the Army West Point Black Knights at M&T Bank Stadium.
March 20, 2026

Trump Signs Executive Order to ‘Preserve’ Army–Navy Game

The order seeks to guarantee an exclusive television window for the game.
Mar 19, 2026; Portland, OR, USA; High Point Panthers forward Owen Aquino (8) defends abasing Wisconsin Badgers forward Nolan Winter (31) during the second half of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center.
March 20, 2026

A ‘Life Skills University’ Is Upending March Madness

High Point upset Wisconsin to win its first March Madness game.