The NIL impact on going pro
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios
In an era when college athletes may cash in on their name, image and likeness, the trend of staying in school rather than going pro is reshaping leagues.
Why it matters: These NIL deals significantly affect how players approach professional drafts, especially in women's college basketball.
What they're saying: "The longer the players stay in school, the more they prepare themselves for life beyond the game," Courtney Altemus, founding and managing partner of Advance, an NIL educational provider for athletes, told Axios.
- "Not only do they have time to graduate, but most, if not all, WNBA-level college basketball players are out-earning WNBA rookie contracts by a wide margin"
By the numbers: The first four WNBA draft picks can expect to make $78,831 in their rookie year, whereas top NIL earners in women's college basketball like LSU's Flau'jae Johnson have reached $1 million.
- Caitlin Clark and the entire Indiana Fever squad made less than NBA bench players during the 2023-24 season, another disparity proved league-wide.
The latest: When Olivia Miles, a projected top-five pick in the 2025 WNBA draft, decided to forgo the draft and enter the transfer portal, it changed the landscape for teams with first-round picks.
- Miles, who helped lead Notre Dame to multiple Sweet Sixteen appearances, shockingly transferred to TCU and will become a key player, replacing Hailey Van Lith, who was drafted by the Chicago Sky.
The other side: The Dallas Wings' DiJonai Carrington, who was drafted before NIL deals transformed college sports, says she's "tired" of this NCAA vs WNBA comparison, stating sponsorship deals even out the playing field for WNBA players.
What we're hearing: Although continuing a collegiate career increases the risk of injuries before going pro, the upside includes increased media exposure and player development.
- "We'll see more women graduating with substantial savings and established businesses," Altemus said.
Zoom out: This trend is happening in college football, too. In the 2021 NFL draft (before the implementation of NIL), 128 underclassmen declared for the draft. This number dropped to 70 this year.
- Although most players do not explicitly label NIL deals as a reason to forgo their drafts when eligible, the delay of going pro allows more time for development and more financial support in sports like golf and baseball.
The bottom line: Although the transfer portal has always shaken up draft boards, the opportunity to transfer, build your brand and collect an NIL check will be the new norm.
More from Axios:
