Transfer Portal Price Tags

December 12, 2023

Hey there,

We’ve got another edition of NIL Wire — the best NIL newsletter in the nation! We’re taking you behind the scenes of NIL today — with NIL price tags, coaches paying into NIL, and more. Keep scrolling to get all caught up.

Before you do though: hit reply if you want to share your thoughts with us, or send us an email at [email protected].

— Cole, Justin and Collin

KICK-OFF

Roster Building with NIL

If you’ve ever wondered how each football program divvies out their NIL payments, look no further. Jason Belzar – who founded Student Athlete NIL – has recently released some data in an effort to create a more transparent NIL marketplace. Check it out:

It may come as a bit of a shock that QB is given only the fifth highest percentage of the overall budget, but that makes sense for a position with less people playing it on a given team. The positions with the most volume – offensive line and defensive back, top the chart. (More)

A Very Heisman Christmas

‘Tis the season for giving, which is precisely what Heisman winner Jayden Daniels is doing thanks to NIL. As part of a deal with HEYDUDE, he was able to give LSU athletics staffers brand new shoes for the holiday season.

Daniels has become a hot commodity in the NIL world. After being announced as a Heisman finalist, he inked a deal with Raising Canes that saw him preparing chicken for customers. The truly special player has created himself into an NIL giant off the field. (More)

Would Coaches Pay into NIL?

Should coaches pony up their own money for NIL support? Maybe so – at least that’s what the Gainesville Sun’s David Whitley thinks. His latest article is critical of coaches who make millions of dollars, yet beg fans to support the team financially. 

He asked five Florida coaches – Florida, FSU, Miami, UCF and USF – the following question: “If it were allowed, would you be willing to take less money, which would then go to players?”

One said yes (he didn’t want to be identified), while the other four didn’t comment. Not exactly a glowing endorsement for the idea. (More)

VIDEO OF THE WEEK

Heisman Hopefuls’ Helping Hand

Check out these 2023 Heisman Finalists’ NIL deal with Canes, which had them serving up hot chicken for customers:

DOWN TO BUSINESS

WWE Announces Newest NIL Class

WWE has been carving out a space in the NIL world since 2021, when they announced their Next in Line program. The NIL initiative was created to find and cultivate the next generation of WWE talent.

Well, their recently announced class was just revealed, and they’re hoping to find an eye-catching star. Spanning across 13 different schools – both public and private – the athletes represented here will be evaluated and molded into wrestling entertainment superstars.

The logic behind the program goes like this: if a former student-athlete is extremely capable of physical feats, they already possess one of the most important pieces of becoming a WWE talent. A little coaching on the acting side, and boom – there’s the next John Cena. (More)

Priced out of the NFL

Some have speculated that Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. may put off the draft for a year — Even he said that his draft status is still up in the air. However, there’s been a rumor going around of a hefty NIL package to keep him in Columbus. On3’s Shannon Terry wants to set the record straight:

Now, there’s plenty of reasons the projected top five pick could want to return to college, but the inflated NIL price tag he would allegedly command is not one of them. In all likelihood, it’s better business to go into the NFL. (More)

COLLECTIVE 101

Country Roads Take Me Home

During the hectic transfer portal season, schools are taking the opportunity to remind recruits of how great their respective NIL collectives are. Take West Virginia, for example, who just secured commitments to stay in Morgantown from one of their team’s stars, Josiah Trotter:

As you can see, part of the school’s NIL strategy after securing commitments is to promote the WVU’s collective – something that seems to be working pretty well. The Mountaineers have managed to pull in some big time transfers from top end programs this cycle. (More)

NIL Price Tags are Too High

Minnesota football’s head coach P.J. Fleck has been vocal in the past about how tough it is to deal with NIL at the school. His complaints seem more and more justified with each passing day.

Matt Rhule made headlines when he told the media that QBs are making a couple million dollars in the portal. Fleck took that sentiment further, saying that the price tag applies to “almost any position.” (More)

ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Ethan Downs

Ethan Downs isn't just making waves on the field; he's redefining NIL partnerships in college sports. Named to the Allstate Goodworks team for his community contributions, Downs also used his NIL for a major wedding expense.

Ethan has already stricken deals with Precious Hunnie Beez Florals and King’s Floral through The Dubs Group, securing all floral arrangements while promoting the florists in return.

NIL BLITZ

♦️ Five professional sports unions support the college employment model

♦️ Chip Kelly promotes NIL at UCLA after being reluctant to do so

♦️ Michigan and Learfield partner for women’s gymnastics spotlight series

♦️ With NIL, will women’s sports will be gutted?

♦️ Football equipment company signs 2026 football recruit to an NIL deal

♦️ Softball phenom signs on with The Collective Engine

♦️ North Carolina launches a collective specifically for men’s basketball

BATTER UP

Todays Poll Question:

Is the alleged $20M price tag to keep Marvin Harrison Jr. in college real?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Last Edition’s Poll Results:

Did Florida State get snubbed by the College Football Playoff Committee?

  • Yes - 71%

  • No - 29%

❝

“No Comment”

Four Florida college football coaches when asked if they’d personally contribute to NIL at their school