The NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) race between NBA legend LeBron James’ son, Bronny James, and NFL legend Deion Sanders’ son, Shedeur Sanders, continues to heat up. Since the 2021 NCAA policy allowed student-athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness, the entire NIL landscape has been on an upward trajectory.
Bronny James had emerged as a frontrunner, occupying the top spot for the longest time. However, Shedeur Sanders, the promising quarterback from Colorado, has been steadily climbing ON3’s list, biding his time to surpass Bronny James. This week, Sanders finally achieved the pinnacle, as James experienced a slight decline in his valuation, while Sanders saw a modest increase. Shedeur celebrated his new feat by posting a photograph on Instagram, posed alongside his expensive new ride.
Shedeur Sanders surpasses Bronny James in the NIL Valuation Battle
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The spotlight now shifts to Shedeur Sanders as he claims the coveted No. 1 position in NIL earnings. He recently uploaded a picture on Instagram sporting a gray hoodie layered over a gray sweatshirt with front pockets, paired with black cargo trousers and white sneakers. Behind him stood the handsome Tesla Cybertruck in sleek silver. Although the exact price tag of Shedeur’s Cyberbeast remains a mystery, experts in the industry speculate that this top-tier model likely comes with a hefty starting price of around $99,990.
This figure far exceeds the base price of $60,990 for the standard dual-motor variant, reflecting the premium features and advanced technology packed into the Cyberbeast edition. His steady rise in the NIL evaluations reestablishes the fact that student-athletes can capitalize on their own brand value.
The star quarterback from Colorado consistently positioned himself as the runner-up on ON3’s NIL valuation list, patiently awaiting a significant surge in his valuation or a decline in Bronny James’s numbers. Fortunately for Sanders, the latter scenario unfolded this week, with James experiencing a notable 5% decrease in his NIL valuation, resulting in a nearly $0.26 million dip.
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Meanwhile, Sanders’s valuation saw a modest uptick of 1%, indicating a positive trajectory for the young quarterback. Shedeur now occupies the first spot with an evaluation of $4.6m, with James following closely at 3.7m.
Sanders and his NIL deals
Sanders’ active presence on social media, boasting 1 million Instagram followers and 51,500 Twitter followers, plays a significant role in his high valuation. Brands like Gatorade, Mercedes-Benz, and Tom Brady’s clothing line have already partnered with him, showcasing his marketability.
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Additionally, Sanders is part of the exclusive “Beats Elite” class by Beats by Dre, granting him access to custom products and featuring him in their marketing campaigns. This rapid rise demonstrates Sanders’ growing influence and market appeal in the college football landscape. As the 2024 football season approaches, Deion Sanders and the Colorado team gear up for the Black and Gold Spring Game at Folsom Field.
Shedeur Sanders, the linchpin of Colorado’s offensive strategy, aims to elevate his performance following a remarkable 2023 season, during which he amassed 3,230 passing yards and threw 27 touchdowns.