Tuesday, August 4, 2026
  • -
    days
  • -
    hours
  • -
    minutes
  • -
    seconds

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.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Every Major College Jersey Patch Deal So Far

A comprehensive list of all jersey patch partnerships announced so far.

College Sports Roster Spending Soars Beyond $20.5M Rev-Share Cap

The $20.5 million rev-share cap was a new floor for roster costs.
Nov 22, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13) runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Beaver Stadium.

Court Hands NCAA, Conferences Win in Fight Over NIL Enforcement

Schools are still going above the revenue-sharing cap.

NBC’s John Fanta: College Hoops ‘Has Never Been Stronger’

The NBC broadcaster said the college basketball product has never been better.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

8/4/26 – Pochettino’s New Deal, Dodgers Load Up, Browns Pick Turf

0:00

Featured Today

WPBL

Who’s Playing Women’s Professional Baseball?

Sixty players from 11 countries are descending on Illinois for six weeks.
Tom's Watch Bar
July 17, 2026

Sports Bars Are Cashing In From Summer of Soccer

The World Cup has brought a windfall to America’s biggest sports bars.
Jun 16, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; France forward Michael Olise (11) controls the ball against Senegal during a Group I match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at New York New Jersey Stadium
July 16, 2026

Where World Cup Stars Go to Customize Their Cleats

The world’s best players turn to a Scottish craftsman for perfect cleats.
July 10, 2026

What the World Cup Means to Erling Haaland’s Tiny Hometown

The tournament’s breakout star is from a rural Norwegian town.
July 10, 2026

Why So Many Media Outlets Are Rushing Into Sports

Sports coverage has ballooned in every corner of media.

Handful of NBA Draft Picks Could Return to College After Ruling

Four players drafted in June could return to college. 
Jun 18, 2023; Omaha, NE, USA; An on-deck circle with the NCAA logo is pictured on the field before the game between the Virginia Cavaliers and the TCU Horned Frogs at Charles Schwab Field Omaha
July 31, 2026

Ruling Gives NCAA Athletes From Class of 2022 5th Year of Eligibility

The proposed class action was filed after the new NCAA eligibility policy.
August 3, 2026

Judge: Newly Eligible 5th Years Still Subject to Some NCAA Rules

Age, transfer, and professional limits still apply.
Sponsored

Saints Great Turns to Ownership

Marques Colston discusses the launch of Champions Fund and how he navigated the business world after football
March 11, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Oregon State Beavers celebrate after defeating the Portland Pilots after the game in the final of the West Coast Conference tournament at Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
July 31, 2026

Oregon State Women’s Basketball Players Launch Unionization Effort

The players will test whether state laws will recognize them as employees.
Jul 28, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Big Ten Conference Commissioner Tony Petitti speaks during Media Days at Hilton Chicago.
July 31, 2026

College Football Playoff Expansion Stalls As Season Approaches

Week 1 games begin Sept. 3 ahead of Labor Day weekend.
July 31, 2026

College Jersey Patch Market Finds Its Benchmark

“The market has now been set,” one exec told FOS.
Jan 8, 2026; Glendale, AZ, USA; Mississippi Rebels linebacker Princewill Umanmielen (1) against the Miami Hurricanes during the 2026 Fiesta Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff at State Farm Stadium.
July 29, 2026

Ole Miss Sues Two Former Players Who Transferred to LSU

Both players followed their previous coach, Lane Kiffin, to Baton Rouge.