On June 30, 2021, the Division 1 Board of Directors approved an interim name, image and likeness (NIL) policy. This new policy allows all NCAA D1, D2 and D3 student-athletes to be compensated for their NIL as of July 1, 2021, regardless of whether their state has a NIL law in place or not.
The NCAA NIL rules do not override state, college/university or conference specific NIL rules. This means student-athletes need to review the NIL rules in the state where their school is located and check with their athletic department for any school and conference-specific rules to understand what limitations they will have on their NIL.
College student-athletes competing in states without an NIL law will have the freedom to receive compensation for their NIL however they see fit, as long as they do not violate pay-for-play or receive financial incentives to sign with or remain at a program.
After having given the context here are the top 10 most valuable NIL athletes:
- Bronny James
- NIL Value: $7.5 Million
- Basketball at Sierra Canyon HS
- Arch Manning
- NIL Value: $3.7 Million
- Football at University of Texas
- Mikey Williams
- NIL Value: $3.6 Million
- Basketball at San Ysidro HS
- Caleb Williams
- NIL Value: $3.2 Million
- Football at USC
- Livvy Dunne
- NIL Value: $3.2 Million
- Gymnastics at LSU
- Shedeur Sanders
- NIL Value: $1.6 Million
- Football at University of Colorado
- Marvin Harrison JR
- NIL Value: $1.6 Million
- Football at Ohio State
- Hansel Enmanuel
- NIL Value: $1.5 Million
- Basketball at Northwestern State
- Sunisa Lee
- NIL Value: $1.5 Million
- Gymnastics at Auburn
- Drake Maye
- NIL Value: $1.3 Million
- Football at UNC