Texas athletes have earned over $15.5 million in NIL deals

NIL data remains hard to come by, even into the third year of college athletics’ new era. A recently released set shows a glimpse of how much athletes have earned at one of the country’s largest athletic departments.

Texas athletes have earned more than $15.5 million in NIL earnings since the inception of NIL in July 2021, according to a public records obtained by the Austin Business Journal. Longhorn athletes disclosed 2,980 NIL partnerships to the school, representing 15 different sports.

Football and men’s basketball were distinctly the top earners, though. According to the data, the two sports combined to profit over $13.5 million from NIL deals as of June 30. In a time where there is no NIL database and pinning down exact numbers can be difficult, the numbers add some real context to the dollars being earned and spent off endorsement deals.

For comparison, Texas A&M athletes disclosed roughly $12.7 million through June 11, according to FOIA records obtained by The Eagle. The Aggies disclosed $8,547,477.96 from NIL deals from Aug. 1, 2022, to June 11, 2023. According to the Bryan, Texas, newspaper, male athletes more than doubled their revenue in Year 2 of NIL, profiting $8,412,816.96.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a transformative NIL bill last month, which included an amendment preventing the disclosure of deal data. It’s not the first state to take protective steps. Louisiana put similar measures in its updated state law last June.

Texas athletics filled with NIL stars

Texas has had some of the biggest names in the NIL Era. Former running back Bijan Robinson had contracts with Athletic Brewing, C4 Energy, Leaf Trading Cards, Raising Cane’s and Rhoback. He drove around Austin with a Lamborghini, courtesy of an NIL deal with Lamborghini Austin. The No. 8 pick in April’s NFL draft also launched his own brand, Bijan Mustardson.

Meanwhile, Quinn Ewers has been one of the defining names in NIL. He enrolled at Ohio State a year early to land a deal with GT Sports Marketing worth $1.4 million because the state of Texas does not allow high school players to be compensated off NIL. His first move in NIL was with Holy Beverages and Hope Squad.

Represented by Sportstars and Rubicon, the Texas quarterback signed at least six endorsement deals last season. He launched a partnership with Metabillia to create digital collectibles for fans which was worth seven figures, per ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

He is hosting an event later this month, with adult tickets available for $283.84 and VIP group tickets for four attendees at $2,312.21. Fans who can’t attend can purchase an autographed jersey, which they’ll receive in the mail for $209.92, Proceeds from the event will benefit Merging Vets and Players.

Freshman quarterback Arch Manning could be an NIL star in the future, too. With a $2.8 million On3 NIL Valuation, he’s not expected to sign an endorsement deal until he is the Longhorns’ starter. Receiver Xavier Worthy has worked with names like Sonic and Fortnite and is valued with at a $1.1 million On3 NIL Valuation.

Texas men’s track runner Sam Hurley has found plenty of success through NIL partnerships, signing with notable brands like Jimmy Dean and Polo. He has nearly five million social media followers.