The NIL Edge – April 25, 2025

Here’s this week’s edition of The NIL Edge, highlighting recent developments in Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) across college athletics.

⚖️ Judge Delays Approval of $2.8 Billion NCAA Settlement

U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken has delayed final approval of the $2.8 billion settlement in the House v. NCAA case, citing concerns over proposed roster limits that could negatively impact student-athletes. The settlement, which aims to resolve three antitrust lawsuits, would allow schools to directly compensate athletes for use of their NIL.

Judge Wilken took issue with the proposed replacement of scholarship limits with roster caps, warning that such a shift could displace current and future athletes. She has given the parties until May 7 to revise the settlement terms to address these concerns.

Source: Reuters – https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/judge-delays-approval-28-billion-
ncaa-settlement-over-roster-limit-question-2025-04-24

🏈 NIL Earnings vs. NFL Draft Contracts

With the 2025 NFL Draft underway, a spotlight has been placed on the financial differences between NIL earnings and rookie contracts. The No. 1 pick is expected to sign a deal worth about $43 million, while the 32nd pick’s contract may total around $13.3 million.

Meanwhile, Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe reportedly earned $2.6 million during his college career through NIL deals, more than many late-round picks will make under their 4-year NFL rookie contracts. The comparison underscores how NIL has become a legitimate financial path for elite college athletes.

Source: MarketWatch – https://www.marketwatch.com/story/heres-how-much-money-the-2025-
nfl-draft-picks-will-make-tonight-and-whos-at-risk-of-losing-millions-25133627

🏀 Flau'jae Johnson: NIL Success and Financial Empowerment

LSU women’s basketball star and rapper Flau’jae Johnson has built a personal brand that includes over 40 NIL deals with major companies like Oreo, JBL, Samsung, and Powerade. She’s using her success to focus on financial literacy and long-term wealth-building.

Johnson owns her music rights, invests in real estate, takes business classes, and partners with
financial education platforms like Experian to empower her community. Go Flau’jae!

Source: Business Insider – https://www.businessinsider.com/how-flaujae-johnson-turns-nil-
brand-deals-into-financial-empowerment-2025-4

🏀 Nebraska Wins College Basketball Crown with NIL Incentives

The University of Nebraska won the 2025 College Basketball Crown, a postseason tournament for Division I teams that didn’t make the NCAA tournament. What makes this event unique: a prize pool tied to NIL.

Nebraska took home the $300,000 championship prize after defeating UCF 77–66. UCF earned $100,000 as the runner-up, and semifinalists received $50,000 each. Juwan Gary was named MVP.

Source: Wikipedia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_College_Basketball_Crown

🏛️HBCU Commissioners Advocate Against Employee Status Legislation

Commissioners from four major HBCU athletic conferences (the “4HBAC”) visited Congress and the White House last week to push back against proposed federal legislation that would classify college athletes as employees.

They warned that such a move could devastate HBCU athletic departments by imposing unaffordable labor costs, potentially leading to cutbacks in scholarships and team programs.

Source: Sports Illustrated – https://www.si.com/college/hbcu/football/hbcu-commissioners-
challenge-nil-legislation

🏛️Utah Passes Law Allowing Direct NIL Payments

Utah has passed a bill allowing public universities to directly pay athletes for NIL use. The law, which goes into effect May 7, specifies that athletes are not considered state employees and bans the use of public funds or tuition revenue to make these payments.

It also removes a previous requirement that athletes disclose any NIL deals worth more than $600 and mandates financial audits every five years.

Source: Deseret News – https://www.deseret.com/sports/2025/03/10/nil-direct-payments-
college-sport-revenue-sharing-utah-law-abusive-coaching

💰University of Kentucky Restructures Athletic Governance

As college sports shift toward revenue sharing, the University of Kentucky has approved a new governance model for its athletics department. The school is creating a nonprofit affiliate, Champions Blue, to oversee operations and financial decisions, giving it more independence from the main university structure.

The move aims to prepare for potential direct compensation of athletes under upcoming NIL frameworks.

Source: A Sea of Blue – https://www.aseaofblue.com/2025/4/24/24415866/uk-athletics-
governance-structure-revenue-sharing-kentucky-wildcats-sports

Want a deeper dive into how these developments could impact athletes, schools, or your organization? Reach out anytime for analysis or custom briefings.