Conference NIL Breakdown
Each conference takes a different approach to NIL. Your exposure, discoverability, and marketability as a player can be influenced deeply by the conference you choose to play for. As a whole, the NIL market has expanded from $917 million to $1.67 billion in four years with expectations to reach $2.55 billion in 2026.
According to Opendorse, the top 25 earners in football at any position can expect to earn around $294,194 annually in NIL earnings.
How Much Do Athletes Receive From NIL?
In the year 2025, $2.75 billion will be spent on NIL services and products from the commercial, collective, and collegiate spaces. Athletes receive about $1.95 billion of that large sum. As a football player, you stand to make a significant portion of that considering the most revenue generation is produced by NCAA football programs.
Athletes receive 29% of commercial NIL dollars. 80% services (e.g. social posts) and 10% good (e.g. jerseys, video games, etc.)
Athletes receive 95% of collegiate NIL money. Money spent by schools and conferences on athlete’s NIL.
90% of NIL collective dollars go to athletes. This covers money produced by donors and athletic boosters.