Wrapping Up 2023 – Top 5 NIL Deals for NCAA Athletes

The college athletics scene has undergone a significant transformation in recent times, thanks to the emergence of NIL (name, image, and likeness) agreements. These agreements have allowed young athletes to leverage their reputation, influence, name, and other assets to earn money. And many athletes are making the most of this opportunity. Take, for instance, Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark, two college athletes who are among the most highly valued in the country, according to ON3 NIL. As of now, Reese’s value is estimated to be around $1.7 million, which places her in the 7th spot, while Clark’s worth stands at $752,000. Thanks to the NIL regulations, college athletes can now explore more lucrative sponsorship opportunities.

Reese, in particular, has been proactive in seizing every opportunity while still in school, knowing that the wage gap can be significant if she is selected for the WNBA. As more and more college athletes realize the potential of NIL agreements, we can expect to see an increasing number of young athletes taking charge of their financial destiny and securing their future in the sports industry.

Hunter Dickinson’s shoes and Pizza

Hunter Dickinson, who plays as the center for the highly ranked Kansas Jayhawks, is having an exceptional season with an average of a double-double. With an impressive average of 19.2 points and the highest number of rebounds per game in the league, which is 12.7, he is showcasing his exceptional skills on the court.

Dickinson has collaborated with Minsky’s Pizza, based in Kansas City, to create the “Hunter’s Double Double.” This pizza includes pepperoni, chicken, Wisconsin mozzarella, two portions of Smithville smoked bacon, and two servings of Hidden Valley ranch dipping sauce. This is an inventive and carnivorous NIL deal for the Michigan transfer, as he has earned a new deal with Addidas, spiking up his NIL valuation

JuJu Watkins’s extravagant Mercedes deal

Through a collaboration between the NIL collective House of Victory and Fletcher Jones Motorcars, USC freshman guard Judea “Juju” Watkins was given a 2023 Mercedes EQS to drive throughout the 2023–24 season. As the first athlete from USC to reap the benefits of the dealership-collective agreement, Watkins was named the Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year

The group hinted at announcements involving other athletes in the future. At $174,000, Watkins has an On3 NIL valuation. By accounting for the importance of local, national, and international sponsorships through an athlete’s brand worth and the involvement of NIL collectives through an athlete’s roster value, the On3 NIL valuation determines an athlete’s estimated yearly worth in the NIL landscape.

Caitlin Clark’s Gatorade deal

Caitlin Clark, the talented guard from Iowa, has added Gatorade to her portfolio of NIL agreements. As reported by Front Office Sports, Clark has signed a multi-year deal with the sports drink company. While the exact financial details of the agreement are unknown, Gatorade will donate $22,000 to Clark’s foundation, which supports youth empowerment.

Clark is now one of four collegiate players with a Gatorade sponsorship. She joins football players Nick Singleton of Penn State and Shedeur Sanders of Colorado, as well as Paige Bueckers of UConn, who was the first collegiate athlete to sign with the manufacturer.

This latest signing follows Clark’s October deal as the first NCAA athlete to sign with State Farm. She has also secured contracts with H&R Block, Nike, Buick, Topps, and Hy-Vee. Furthermore, she has recently signed with Excel Sports Management, a company that represents prominent figures in women’s basketball, such as Arike Ogunbowale and Napheesa Collier.

Angel Reese’s Reebok deal

Shaquille O’Neal made headlines with his first player signing at Reebok last week, the same week he joined the company as its president of basketball. Angel Reese, a standout player for LSU women’s basketball, has officially joined Reebok, marking the company’s first significant NIL deal. Since moving to LSU in 2022, Reese has demonstrated that she is a NIL deal magnet.

The 21-year-old, who now holds the seventh-place position in On3’s NIL rankings with a NIL worth of $1.7 million, has more NIL deals than any other college basketball player in the nation, regardless of gender. Following its $2.5 billion acquisition by Authentic Brands Group in 2021, Reebok has been making an effort to reenter the sportswear industry. O’Neal, a fellow Basketball Hall of Famer, is in charge of its basketball division.

Read More:  USC Star JuJu Watkins Admits Cashing Out From Billion Dollar Companies “Fuels” Her Game

Bronny James’ controversial case of NIL

Bronny James, the eldest son of NBA superstar LeBron James and a college basketball player, has set a new record for the most lucrative name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals signed by a college athlete. Despite never having played a college basketball game, Bronny has reportedly secured $5.9 million in NIL partnerships with top brands such as Beats by Dre, Nike, and PSD Underwear.

This is a significant achievement for a young athlete, considering that the NCAA has only recently allowed college athletes to earn money from their NIL. Bronny’s success in securing such lucrative deals is a testament to his popularity and marketability as a young basketball prospect, and it will undoubtedly inspire other college athletes to explore similar opportunities.