The 10 college athletes with the highest NIL valuations
Some of the top college athletes are making millions of dollars.
Name, image, and likeness deals — or NIL deals for short — have become a billion-dollar industry since their introduction to amateur sports in 2021, allowing student-athletes to earn significant amounts of money.
Plus, in May 2024, as part of a major antitrust settlement, the NCAA and its five power conferences (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12, and SEC) agreed that schools can directly pay their athletes for the first time in college athletics history.
This took effect in July 2025, making the 2025-26 academic year the first full season where college athletes could be compensated by their schools.
Spencer Wadsworth, the senior vice president of global soccer at Wasserman, a global sports, music, and entertainment company, previously told Business Insider that NIL has helped take the pressure off some athletes to go pro prematurely.
“I think knowing that you can still earn some living — technically get paid for your sport — and continue your studies is extremely positive because everyone does have their own journey,” Wadsworth said.
The On3 NIL valuation reflects the current player contract value. The following athletes’ valuations are based on confirmed player contracts, rather than an athlete’s marketing value or endorsement potential.
With valuations starting at $5 million, here’s a look at the top 10 student-athletes with the biggest college compensation packages. These figures were accurate as of August 2026.