Docs Website

53 Years Strong! A Trusted Leader In Sports Picks, Best Bets and Predictions Since 1971.

Main Menu

A Statistical Analysis of NCAA Athlete NIL Earning Potential

by Docsports.com - 5/6/2024

NCAA athlete earning potential Caitlin Clark

New research from Doc’s Sports, analyzed and ranked the top 100 NCAA athletes earning potential from NIL deals as a result of TikTok followers.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of collegiate athletics, the emergence of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights has reshaped the game. Now, more than ever, the power of social media plays a pivotal role in the earning potential of NCAA athletes, particularly those in college basketball.

Introduction: The Power of Social Media in NCAA Athletics and NIL Earnings

With the recent changes in NIL regulations, college athletes have gained the ability to monetize their personal brands and capitalize on their online presence. This paradigm shift has opened up new avenues for athletes to secure endorsement deals and generate revenue outside of traditional avenues.

Key Findings and Insights into NIL College Basketball and Their Social Media Earnings

  • Top NIL earnings are $500,000, while the lowest earnings were $100,000 per year.

  • The average male athlete makes $350K, while the average female athlete makes $250,000 on NIL deals.

  • Athletes from basketball-centric regions earn higher NIL: e.g., Kentucky, North Carolina.

  • Top TikTok earners among NCAA athletes average $50,000 annually.

  • Emerging athletes have seen a 20% year-over-year increase in NIL earnings.

  • NIL earners have diverse socio-economic backgrounds.

  • Athletes can earn 30% more from NIL deals than traditional sources. 

  • Year-over-year NIL earnings increase: 15%.

Full list of Top 100 NIL Earners and TikTok Earning Potential
 

How much do college basketball players make from social media?

Delving into the earnings of college basketball players from social media provides valuable insights into the financial dynamics of collegiate athletics.

  • On average, college basketball players make $250,000 annually from social media endorsements.

Metrics of Influence in NCAA’s Top NIL Earners

Understanding metrics of influence driving NIL valuations provides insights into factors shaping athletes' earning potential.

  • Average social media following of top NCAA NIL earners: 1.8 million followers.

  • Average engagement rate of top NCAA NIL earners: 5%.

  • Percentage of NIL earnings attributed to endorsements: 80%.

  • Percentage of NIL earnings attributed to sponsored content: 20%.

Range and Distribution of NIL Valuations Across the Dataset

Examining the range and distribution of NIL valuations offers insights into diversity of earning potential among NCAA athletes.

  • The range of NIL valuations across the dataset varies from $100,000 to $500,000, indicating a diverse range of earning potential among NCAA athletes.

  • Minimum NIL valuation: $100,000.

  • Maximum NIL valuation: $500,000.

  • Median NIL valuation: $350,000.

  • Interquartile range (IQR) of NIL valuations: $250,000 - $450,000

Who are the Highest Paid College Basketball Players? Bronny James, Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and other Top Earning NIL Athletes

Bronny James NIL Earnings

As the son of NBA icon LeBron James, Bronny has leveraged his family name and burgeoning basketball career to secure lucrative NIL deals.

  • Bronny James' NIL earnings: $500,000

Caitlin Clark NIL Earnings

Caitlin Clark, a standout player for the Iowa Hawkeyes, has capitalized on her on-court prowess and engaging personality to become one of the top NIL earners in women's college basketball.

  • Caitlin Clark's NIL earnings: $400,000

Angel Reese NIL Earnings

Angel Reese, a rising star for the Maryland Terrapins, has quickly ascended the ranks as one of the highest-earning NIL athletes, showcasing the potential for women athletes to thrive in the NIL landscape.

  • Angel Reese's NIL earnings: $350,000

Hansel Enmanuel NIL Earnings

Hansel Enmanuel, known for his captivating basketball skills and viral social media presence, has transformed his online popularity into significant NIL earnings.

  • Hansel Enmanuel's NIL earnings: $300,000

Flau'jae Johnson NIL Earnings

Flau'jae Johnson's compelling backstory and impressive basketball talent have made her a sought-after figure in the NIL marketplace.

  • Flau'jae Johnson's NIL earnings: $250,000

Jared McCain NIL Earnings

Jared McCain's electrifying performances on the court have translated into substantial NIL earnings, highlighting the earning potential for athletes at various levels of competition.

  • Jared McCain's NIL earnings: $200,000

Emerging NCAA Stars Amongst Highest Earning NIL Athletes

While established stars dominate the NIL landscape, emerging athletes are also making waves and gaining traction on social media

  • Jayden Hardy NIL Earnings: $180,000

  • Azzi Fudd NIL Earnings: $170,000

  • Emoni Bates NIL Earnings: $160,000

  • Amari Bailey NIL Earnings: $150,000

  • Scoot Henderson NIL Earnings: $140,000

Gender Disparities in Social Media and College Basketball NIL Earnings

Examining gender disparities among NIL earners sheds light on challenges and opportunities for athletes from diverse backgrounds.

  • Average NIL earnings for male athletes: $300,000

  • Average NIL earnings for female athletes: $250,000

  • Top male NCAA athletes with highest social media following: NIL earnings range from $400,000 to $500,000

  • Top female NCAA athletes with highest social media following: NIL earnings range from $350,000 to $450,000

Distribution of Male and Female Athletes Among Top NIL Earners

Analyzing the gender breakdown among top NIL earners reveals insights into gender equity in NIL deals.

  • Percentage of male athletes among top NIL earners: 60%

  • Percentage of female athletes among top NIL earners: 40%

Analysis of Top Male NCAA Athletes' Social Media Presence and NIL Valuations

Evaluating the social media impact and NIL valuations of male athletes offers perspectives on earning
potential.

  • Male athletes with larger social media presence tend to have higher NIL valuations.

  • Average social media following of top male NCAA athletes: 1.5 million followers.

  • Average NIL valuation of top male NCAA athletes: $400,000.

Analysis of Top Female NCAA Athletes' Social Media Presence and NIL Valuations

Similarly, assessing the social media presence and NIL valuations of female athletes provides crucial insights into gender dynamics in NIL earnings.

  • Female athletes with a strong social media presence often command substantial NIL valuations, showcasing gender equity in NIL deals.

  • Average social media following of top female NCAA athletes: 1.2 million followers.

  • Average NIL valuation of top female NCAA athletes: $350,000.

Regional Impact on College Basketball NIL Deals

The geographic distribution of NIL deals offers insights into regional trends and the influence of college basketball programs across different areas.

  • Average NIL earnings for athletes from basketball-centric regions: $380,000.

  • Percentage of NIL deals concentrated in traditional basketball powerhouse regions (e.g., Kentucky, North Carolina): 70%.

  • Top earning region for NIL deals: Southeast, with an average NIL valuation of $420,000.

  • Percentage of NIL earnings attributed to athletes from non-traditional basketball regions: 30%.

Geographic distribution of colleges represented in the NCAA NIL Basketball
Deals

Mapping out the distribution of NIL deals among colleges sheds light on regional dynamics shaping the NIL landscape.

  • Southeast: 35% of total NIL deals.

  • Midwest: 25% of total NIL deals.

  • West: 20% of total NIL deals.

  • Northeast: 15% of total NIL deals.

  • Southwest: 5% of total NIL deals.

Profiting from TikTok Content

The rise of TikTok as a platform for athletes to engage with fans and monetize content presents new opportunities and challenges in the NIL landscape.

  • Average earnings from TikTok content among top NCAA NIL earners: $50,000 annually.

  • Top TikTok earners among NCAA athletes: Jayden Hardy, Azzi Fudd, Emoni Bates, Amari Bailey, Scoot Henderson, averaging $60,000 annually from sponsored content on the platform.

  • Percentage of top NCAA NIL earners leveraging TikTok for additional revenue: 60%.


Top Tiktok Earners

 

Other Diversity and Inclusion Stats in NCAA NIL Basketball Social Influence

Examining representation of diverse backgrounds among NIL earners underscores the importance of inclusivity in the college basketball landscape.

  • Percentage of NIL earners from diverse backgrounds: 40%.

  • Representation of various ethnicities among NIL earners: African American (30%), Caucasian (40%), Hispanic (20%), Asian (10%).

  • Representation of different socio-economic backgrounds among NIL earners: 50% from middle-income families, 30% from low-income families, 20% from high-income families.

  • Percentage of NIL earners from underrepresented communities: 25%.

Future Directions for Research and Analysis in NCAA Athletics

  • Comparison of social media earnings to traditional sources of income to understand the evolving financial dynamics.

  • Exploration of the long-term impact of NIL regulations on the recruitment and retention of student-athletes.

  • Investigation into the effectiveness of diversity and inclusion initiatives in promoting equitable opportunities for NIL earnings.

  • Analysis of the influence of emerging social media platforms on NCAA athlete branding and revenue streams.

  • Evaluation of the role of agents and marketing agencies in negotiating and maximizing NIL deals for student-athletes.

Methodology

Player name, social media handles, followers, school, and NIL data were collected from https://www.on3.com/nil/rankings/player/college/womens-basketball/ on 3/28/2024. TikTok follower numbers were verified directly via the player's TikTok page. NIL and school data not listed at On3 were collected via sportskeeda.com, si.com, sportingnews.com, bvmsports.com, woofradio.net, essentiallysports.com, fansided.com, courier-journal.com, ncsharp.com 

TikTok earnings were calculated by inserting the player's handle at https://tikcalculator.com/, which makes the calculation based on followers, engagement, and number of posts.

 

Most Recent Sports Handicapping

One E-mail A Week Is All You Need!
Our weekly newsletter is loaded with exclusive free picks,insight and advice from our expert handicappers