Straight answer · NIL athletes

College athletes will be paid about $4.5 billion this year.

Opendorse estimates $4.5 billion will be paid to college athletes in 2026-27, up 50% from its last estimate. Men's basketball NIL deals average nearly $14,000 each.Verified

NIL, 2026-27	Amount
Total paid to college athletes, 2026-27	$4.5 billion
Projected by 2028-29	over $5 billion
Men's basketball, average per deal	about $14,000

Verified from Opendorse's June 2026 estimate as reported by FootballScoop. Most athletes earn far less than the headline deals.

NIL money is taxable income

No tax set aside, agents taking too much and contracts that tie up future rights are where NIL money leaks. The Fix Kit for NIL athletes and families covers each one.

NIL Contracts, NIL Money & Taxes: 9 Money Leaks

That's gross. What do you keep?

The number above is before taxes, before what comes out of your check, before the bills that eat it. TrueNET draws the line on what you really keep, free, in about a minute.

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