NIL Era Benefits Women’s College Basketball

Since the emergence of the name, image, and likeness (NIL) era in college sports in 2021, football and men’s basketball players have generally topped the earnings charts. Nonetheless, women’s college basketball has seen significant gains from NIL as well.

Notably, in 2023, women’s athletes outperformed their male counterparts in NIL deals, as reported by SponsorUnited. The distribution of NIL agreements among the top 100 most endorsed athletes showed a near-equal split: women’s athletes received 52% of the financial benefits, while men earned 48%. Remarkably, women’s college basketball players accounted for 35% of the total monetary gains among female athletes that year.

Prominent figures like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Paige Bueckers, and others are key players in boosting the visibility and popularity of women’s basketball.

Top NIL Earners in Women’s College Basketball for 2025-26 Season

Let’s delve into the ten most valuable women’s college basketball athletes as we approach the 2025-26 season, according to On3.

1. Flau’jae Johnson – LSU

Position: Guard, NIL Valuation: $1.5 million. Johnson has diversified her earnings through her rapping career and notable partnerships with brands like Powerade and JBL Audio.

2. Aaliyah Chavez – Oklahoma

Position: Guard, NIL Valuation: $755,000. As the top recruit for the Class of 2025, Chavez was able to secure an impressive NIL package before even starting college.

3. JuJu Watkins – USC

Position: Guard, NIL Valuation: $739,000. After being named a consensus first-team All-American as a freshman, Watkins quickly became a popular figure in advertisements.

4. Jada Williams – Iowa State

Position: Guard, NIL Valuation: $412,000. Williams has gained multiple sponsorship deals before and during her college career, showcasing her marketability and talent.