You wanna talk about doing the most for your team? Well, Phil Knight ain’t playin’ when it comes to Oregon. The Nike billionaire just made another bold move for the Ducks, and it’s got everybody talkin’. But here’s the thing: it ain’t just some regular old donation or handshake deal. Nah, Knight’s latest play is about shaking up the NIL game like he’s on a billion-dollar mission to boost the $1.7 million portfolio and help Dan Lanning compete for natty after the 2024 heartbreak. And this one’s about to make some serious noise for Oregon’s recruiting power.

So here’s the scoop. The Oregon-focused NIL collective, Division Street, just dropped a bombshell partnership with GOAT and Flight Club to release the first-ever Nike Air Max 95/97 hybrids. That’s right, we’re talking three exclusive colorways: Lightning, Thunder, and Storm, all rocking Oregon’s signature colors and logos. And if you thought this was just some fancy sneaker drop for sneakerheads to flex on Instagram, think again. All the proceeds are heading straight back to the Ducks’ NIL operations—straight into their $1.7 million adjusted NIL value. However, this ain’t the first time Division Street’s been cooking up something special.

They’ve been out here dropping exclusive kicks with legendary designer Tinker Hatfield—Air Jordan 8s, Dunk Lows, Air Force 1 Lows—you name it, they’ve done it. But this new Air Max drop? It’s on another level. And Dan Lanning, Oregon’s head coach, couldn’t care less what the haters have to say. “I don’t really care what people think,” he said when folks questioned Oregon’s NIL hustle. “I just want to win. There’s not a top-10 program in the nation that’s not funded and in a good position to compete.” Facts. But does more money mean better play?

Well, Oregon’s been makin’ power moves in recruiting. They’re sitting pretty with a top-five recruiting class for 2025, stacked with 20 commits. You got five-star WR Dakorien Moore, who’s out here snatching ankles and breaking DB’s dreams. You got five-star CB Na’eem Offord, who straight-up flipped from Ohio State like it was nothing. Oh, and let’s not forget Gavin Nix, the four-star LB who ditched Miami to roll with the Ducks.

The NIL game has changed, and Oregon’s right at the forefront of it. They’ve even locked in the No. 1 ranked 2026 recruiting class, with big-time names like Kendre Harrison and Kodi Greene already committed. All thanks to the relentless effort of Lanning, his staff, and that sweet NIL money making Oregon an absolute beast in the recruiting scene. And oh, speaking of Nike Money, Dan Lanning got himself a pretty raise too.

Dan Lanning signs new contract at Eugene

The real kicker? The Ducks are doubling down on this winning formula. The University of Oregon just hit Dan Lanning with a brand-new, fat six-year deal worth $11 million per year. That’s a whopping $2 million raise annually. And you bet it makes Lanning one of the top-5 highest-paid coaches in the country. They kept his buyout at $20 million, which is a big deal ‘cause Lanning’s name is always being tossed around whenever a hot college or NFL gig opens up. That’s just the price of being successful, man.

And with a new contract like that, the expectations are through the roof. Sure, Lanning’s been doing his thing. He’s got the Ducks sitting’ at 35-6 during his tenure. The Ducks even spent part of last season as the No. 1 team in the nation and brought home a Big Ten championship in their 1st year in the Big Ten conference. That’s wild.

But just like the Nike slogan says, it’s time to Just Do It. All the money, the NIL moves, the killer recruiting classes—it’s all gotta lead somewhere. And that somewhere better be a national championship real soon. Because when you’re getting paid like Lanning, nobody’s tryna hear about ‘almost’. Look, Phil Knight, 87, won’t be around for a long time, the man’s wanna see Oregon raising that trophy.

So, yeah. Phil Knight’s pulling the strings behind this money move. Dan Lanning’s making recruiting and coaching moves. And Oregon? They’re just getting started. The only question now is, how far will they go? But one thing’s for sure: the Ducks are flying high, and they ain’t looking down.