Chart of the Day: NIL College Compensation

With the return of college football, Saturdays across the country are loud and rowdy yet again. Today’s Chart of the Day from Crystal Capital Partners' blog NIL College Football Poised for a $2.5 Billion Valuation highlights the average NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) compensation across different positions on the turf.

Unsurprisingly, quarterbacks are leading the pack, earning average NIL compensation well north of $750,000 per year. Running backs sit at the lower end of the spectrum, but even they average around $300,000. One interesting takeaway is the strong showing from offensive linemen, who rank third in compensation. This is proof that protecting the quarterback remains one of the most valuable jobs on the field.

NIL has evolved into a mini economy, with money flowing from donors and sponsors into the pockets of athletes from coast to coast. This new age phenomenon has truly shaped college sports, leading to longer tenures by players and compilation of powerhouse teams, not to mention that some players could hang up the cleats and retire comfortably at the ripe old age of 22.