With Student Athlete Day arriving April 6, BetTexas.com decided to look at the current colleges who have utilized the name, image and likeness legislation to recruit their athletes and help them maximize their revenue potential while at the school.
Using On3.com, we combed through the athletes who currently have the highest valuation in each sport, as well as the NIL collectives from each school who are bringing in the most revenue for student athletes. Using an average ranking from those statistics, we were able to finalize the top 10 schools utilizing NIL.
Based on that data, the University of Texas ranks third nationally overall, and the Longhorns are No. 1 in Athletes Valuation Ranking. The University of Tennessee ranks No. 1 overall because it’s first in School Collective Ranking while tying for fourth in Athletes Valuation Ranking. Texas slips to ninth in the School Collective Ranking.
Please note this research is not an exact observation because of the lack of exact revenue details.
Although Texas’ teams are benefiting from NIL, those interested in wagering on those teams aren’t able to because there is no legal Texas sports betting. But there are currently bills before the Texas Legislature that could change that.
Schools That Have Best Utilized NIL
When sports betting does become legal in the state, BetTexas.com will provide all the Texas sportsbook promos.
Latest Manning Gives Longhorns a Lift
According to On3.com, an athlete’s share of projected NIL valuation is based on three things — performance on the field, influence (social media strength) and exposure in the marketplace and media. This produces a roster value and brand value, which is then combined to figure the total valuation.
Based on those figures, On3.com estimates the NIL marketplace is currently valued at $750 million to $1 billion with growth expectations of $3-$5 billion over the next five years.
Texas’ ranking receives a huge boost from the arrival of top quarterback prospect Arch Manning, who has enrolled early and is already battling to be the starter for the Longhorns during spring drills. Manning is the son of Cooper Manning, the oldest son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning, and the nephew of Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Eli Manning.
Arch Manning graduated early from Isidore Newman High School in New Orleans, La., and he chose Texas over Clemson, LSU, Alabama, Georgia and Ole Miss. He ranks No. 2 on On3.com’s NIL100 list at $3.7 million, and he’s just getting started with 243,000 social media followers.
Although there are no Texas sports betting apps, national operator FanDuel Sportsbook lists UT at +3000 to win the 2023 College Football Playoff national championship.
The Longhorns’ other million-dollar athletes in NIL valuation are track athlete and social media star Sam Hurley at $1.1 million with five million followers and football receiver Xavier Worthy at $1.1 million and 151,000 followers.
On the overall list, Arch Manning ranks behind only Bronny James, the oldest son of NBA superstar LeBron James. Bronny James, who remains uncommitted to any college program, has a valuation of $7.2 million with 12.7 million followers.
LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne ranks third at $3.4 million with 11.2 million followers and she helped LSU come in at ninth overall on the rankings and sixth on the Athletes Valuation Ranking.
Alabama ranks second in the Athletes Valuation Ranking with projected NBA lottery pick Brandon Miller as its top player with $862,000 in NIL valuation.
Miami ranks second overall thanks to two strong NIL athletes, one in women’s basketball with Haley Cavinder, and one in men’s basketball with Isaiah Wong. Wong helped lead the Hurricanes to the Final Four in Houston, while Cavinder’s team advanced to the Elite Eight.
