🏅Arch Manning's NIL is Soaring

Hey there,

What’s going on in New Mexico? The state legislature just promised to give NMSU a few million dollars to help with athletics at the school… but there’s one big catch. We’ve also got an update on Arch Manning’s NIL valuation, which has soared to #1 in the country. And then lastly, FSU’s legendary coach Leonard Hamilton is stepping down soon. Is it because of an NIL-related lawsuit? We’re coming at you right now – let’s get into it!

Questions? Concerns? Hit us up at [email protected] to get in touch.

— Cole, Justin and Collin

The Big 3

Arch Manning + Red Bull = NIL 📈 

Arch Manning just signed a huge NIL deal with Red Bull. How huge, we’re not quite sure – they didn’t release any numbers for the deal. However, thanks to Arch’s $6.5 million NIL valuation, we can infer that he’s only agreeing to the partnership if it’s really worth it. 

Arch has seen his NIL valuation soar ever since the end of the football season. Now that Quinn Ewers has officially entered the NFL draft, Manning has a clear runway for on-field opportunities with a loaded Texas team next year – which, of course, translates directly into NIL value. 

He’s been selective thus far in terms of cashing in on his NIL. The last public NIL deal he made was last summer’s commercial with EA Sports to promote their new college football video game. I’d expect we’ll see much more of him in 2025. (More)

New Mexico State to get $2.5 Million for Athletics

New Mexico’s state legislature just passed a bill that would give New Mexico State University a one-time $2.5 million appropriation to help adjust to new era of college sports. Their only request is that the school’s next athletic director have “at least five years of name, image and likeness policy experience.” 

There’s only one problem with that plan: NIL has only been around since 2021. In other words, no one has five years of NIL policy experience – at least at the school governance level. The policy isn’t even four years old yet.

Perhaps we’re misunderstanding the legislature’s wording on the bill. Or perhaps the lawmakers themselves aren’t quite well-read on NIL policy. Maybe we should send them a copy of NIL Wire – they could appropriate some funds for an All-Access subscription. (More)

Leonard Hamilton to Step Down Amidst NIL Controversy

Florida State basketball coach Leonard Hamilton announced his intention to resign from his post at the end of this season. The 76-year-old coach served the school for twenty-three years, brought the program to the NCAA tournament eight times, and sent multiple players to the NBA. 

Hamilton’s legacy at FSU becomes a bit more complicated in light of recent events though. Just over a month ago, he was sued by six of his former players, who are saying the coach never paid them the $250K they were owed in NIL while playing for his team. The lawsuit says Hamilton “duped” the plaintiffs. 

It’s unclear if the lawsuit is why Hamilton stepped down, but the timing seems a bit too coincidental. What’s interesting to me is that the coach isn’t retiring – maybe just trying to put distance between himself and Florida State. (More)

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ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Kam Jones

• School: Marquette University 

• Sport: Basketball

• Position: Guard

• Class: Senior

• Accolades: 

• Unanimous Preseason All-BIG EAST First team selection in 2024-25

• Named to Jerry West Award Preseason Watch List

• One of 20 players on NABC Division I Player of the Year preseason list

• Named to Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy National POW preseason list

• Named to 2024-25 John R. Wooden Award Top 50 Preseason Watch List and Lute Olson Award Early Season Watch List

• Named BIG EAST Player of the Week (11/18/24, 11/25/24), five times in career total

• Claimed Associated Press Player of the Week accolades (11/26/24)

• NIL: Jones is making waves in the NIL world. He's now the second-highest valued college basketball player, with an estimated NIL value of $2 million. 

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NIL BLITZ

♦️ The NIL Store’s new NIL Event License allows players to receive direct earnings from NCAA tournament merchandise

♦️ North Texas’ “sports mom conference” is tackling NIL issues from the parent’s perspective

♦️ LSU has NIL-powered cigars for the college baseball season

♦️ How much would it cost to “buy” the Toledo football team?

♦️ Tennessee basketball announced that ticket prices will be 6% higher next year due to “talent fee”

♦️ St. John’s basketball collective is running a $1 million NIL match fundraiser

♦️ Eli Ellis is the most “influential” teen basketball star – will it get him NIL dollars?

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BATTER UP

Today’s Poll Question:

Last Edition’s Poll Results:

Should recruits "auction" off their commitments with NIL, like Nate Ament is doing?

• Yeah, why not? - 32%

• No, that feels wrong - 68%