🏅Kentucky Athletics is becoming an LLC

Teaming up with

Hey there,

Hope your weekend was well. We’re going to jump right into a business-heavy edition of NIL Wire today, starting off with a wild development for the University of Kentucky’s athletic department. Then we’re looking at why Quinn Ewers’ decision to enter the NFL Draft could end up costing him millions. Lastly, we’ve got intel on how much money a college kicker is making in the current NIL climate. It’s all coming up now, let’s go!

— Cole and Collin

The Big 3

Kentucky is All Business… Literally

The University of Kentucky is turning its athletics department into an LLC as they attempt to prepare for the next era of college sports. The change is dependent on the House Settlement’s approval, however, which has been delayed.

Okay, so what does this mean for Kentucky? Well, they’re trying to run their athletics like a business now – complete with business and sports advisors that will work directly with the athletic director and school president. It will be a “public-private partnership” according to reports. 

Kentucky is the first school to do something like this, and they’re also one of the most well-equipped. The Wildcats did $166 million in revenue last season, a top twenty mark in the nation. (More)

Quinn Ewers Misses out on Millions in NFL Draft

Former Longhorns QB entered last weekend’s NFL draft with high hopes, but he was forced to wait to hear his name called until Round 7. That’s more than just unfortunate – it’s financially devastating. 

If Ewers had entered the transfer portal instead of jumping to the NFL, he likely could have snagged at least $4 million in NIL, and perhaps up to $8 million if rumors are correct. Now, he’ll be making less than $1 million a season on a seventh-round rookie contract.

Ewers’ decision is a cautionary tale for the new reality of college football: If you’re not good enough to command a first-round pick, it may be better to simply stay in school and cash NIL checks. Ewers could have been a starter for a CFP contender; now he’s an NFL backup with thin chances for ever scoring a million-dollar-contract ever again. (More)

Kickers Are Making Tons in NIL

It’s not just QBs who are making the big bucks now – high-end college kickers are making tons of money via NIL as well. According to CBS Sports’ Brandon Marcello, a premiere kicker is earning anywhere from $200-$300K in 2025.

Marcello asks us to kicker former Texas kicker Bert Auburn as an example, who’s about as good of a kicker as we’ve seen hit the open market this year. He transferred to Miami earlier this week, and while we don’t know exactly how much he’s making, we do know Miami’s been willing to pay a ton of money for talent this offseason. 

Kickers aren’t usually high draft picks, but a robust NIL market for kickers could keep them out of the NFL Draft altogether – wiping out the financial incentive for talented early-declare candidates to consider an early jump. (More)

Teaming up with

Microtech Patch That Could End Your Pain In Seconds

When you experience pain, it’s typically the result of electrical signals being sent from the location of the pain to your brain.

The worse the pain, the stronger the signal.

Kailo’s patented technology uses micro capacitors to “turn off” these pain signals like a light switch – providing natural relief, anywhere on your body, in seconds.

It’s one of the first products on the market to use microtechnology for pain relief, and it’s available at an affordable price.

Stick it on your knee, back, neck—wherever you’re experiencing pain. 

• 100% Chemical Free

• Reusable

• Waterproof

Want to see it in action? Watch the video here. 

Available for 50% off today!

NIL BLITZ

♦️ “Portal Pushdown” is a real thing, with DI players migrating to lower levels of college basketball

♦️ The NCAA finished this fiscal year with a $55 million surplus, which will be used to offset House Settlement costs

♦️ A New Mexico basketball walk-on is suing his old teammate for punching him in the nose, citing the “mercenary mentality” that NIL has created as a problem

♦️ NIL hasn’t affected college hockey quite yet, but it’s coming

♦️ Iowa State’s QB just donated video game systems to hospital patients using his NIL earnings

♦️ Villanova’s star distance runner just became the first NIL athlete to sign with Italian sportswear brand Diadora

♦️ A court date has been set for the lawsuit between Florida head coach Billy Napier and former Florida recruit Jaden Rashada

♦️ Players without eligibility have been flooding the transfer portal

♦️ Cash-poor teams are struggling to keep up as college football rosters balloon to $40 million

Share NIL Wire

Have a friend or colleague who would enjoy NIL Wire? Share with them today!

You currently have 0 referrals.

BATTER UP

Today’s Poll Question:

Last Edition’s Poll Results:

Will the House lawyers cave on roster limits?

• Yes, they have to or else Judge Wilken won’t approve the deal - 61%

• No, they’re going to call her bluff and hold firm - 39%