Deion Sanders has an idea for College Football Playoff: pay the players

Hey there,

Welcome back to NIL Wire. Here’s the latest headlines and news from around college sports, from Deion Sanders’ idea for the College Football Playoff to Arch Manning’s NIL empire and more.

— Deyscha

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THE BIG 3

Sanders wants players to get paid for making College Football Playoff

Colorado coach Deion Sanders and former Alabama coach Nick Saban spoke with the Associated Press to promote their latest commercial for Aflac — but in the process, Sanders made some news with a proposal for the College Football Playoff. He suggested that players should be paid for making the playoff and paid more when their teams win.

“Now it’s equality, now it’s even, and every player is making the same amount of money,” Sanders said. Saban said he thought Sanders’s proposal sounded like a good idea.

 In theory, a playoff bonus would spread the NIL wealth in college football, which is concentrated among top players. In the AP story, Saban talked about how most players won’t continue on to have a career in football beyond college.

“For years and years and years as coaches, and when we were players, we learned this, we’re trying to create value for our future,” Saban said. “That’s why we’re going to college. It’s not just to see how much money we can make while we’re in college. It’s, how does that impact your future as far as our ability to create value for ourselves?”

According to the AP, Sanders also called NIL deals a “joke” and added: “There are only three or four guys who you might know their NIL, and the rest you’re just giving money to.”

Another day, another NIL deal for Manning

Texas quarterback Arch Manning might be the highest paid player in college football, with projected earnings valued at $6.8 million this year, according to On3.

Manning most recently signed a three-year partnership with the eyewear company Warby Parker and is the star of their latest campaign alongside his father, Cooper Manning.

As part of the partnership, Manning will also promote the Pupils Project, a school-based vision program that works with organizations and government agencies to give children free vision screenings, eye exams and glasses.

Manning’s Instagram seems like it’s all football and brand deal campaigns, from hitting targets with Red Bull to hitting the drive-through at Raising Cane’s for lunch with grandfather, Archie Manning, and LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier (only to find out Cooper is the one serving them). I could do an entire branding case study on Manning, who also has deals with Uber and Vuori. 

Service academies are navigating (but not earning money from) NIL 

I’ve mentioned this before, but I’ll say it again: The world of NIL looks completely different for every player, school and sport. 

And then there’s the service academies. 

A recent story from USA Today goes inside how schools like Navy and Army are navigating the transfer portal, recruiting and remaining competitive on the field with a roster of players who cannot earn NIL money because they are subject to federal law that prohibits military members from using public office for private gain. 

Here’s what Army coach Jeff Monken told USA Today about recruiting in this climate:

For Navy quarterback Blake Horvath, it’s a reality he’s not only accepted, but a decision he’s embracing. Horvath said he’s never considered leaving the program, either. “There was never a thought in my mind to leave,” Horvath said. “I don’t think there’s another quarterback or player in the country who’s a better fit for a system than I am at Navy.”

NIL BLITZ

♦️Jordan Brand signed Florida QB DJ Lagway.

♦️Adidas signed Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt and wide receiver Jordyn Tyson. 

♦️ Celsius unveiled its 2025 NIL college football roster: Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood and Clemson QB Cade Klubnik. Each athlete will be spotlighted in a 15-second ad spot that gives a behind-the-scenes look at his life outside of football. 

♦️ Powerade has signed Leavitt, LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, Georgia running back Nate Frazier and Iowa safety Xavier Nwankpa, who are featured in the brand’s “It Takes More” campaign. 

♦️Michigan State athletic director J Batt shared how the school is approaching NIL and revenue sharing: “We’ve moved kind of away from fundraising around collectives and we are very focused on working with our MMR partner to provide opportunities.”

♦️ At Minnesota State Moorhead, athletes expressed wanting an “NIL store-type opportunity,” so the athletic department partnered with Athlete's Thread, a custom apparel brand where players can now create their own stores. 

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