An overview of the highest-earning student-athletes in sports such as swimming, track, gymnastics, and tennis who leverage Name, Image, and Likeness rights. This list highlights individuals who have built substantial personal brands and financial success outside of traditional team revenue streams.
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A dominant force in collegiate swimming, Ledecky has amassed a massive following during her time at Stanford. Her NIL portfolio includes lucrative endorsements with major sportswear and water brand partners, making her one of the highest-earning female athletes in college sports history.
Though his collegiate career has concluded, Dressel's peak earnings while at the University of Florida set the benchmark for swimmers. He demonstrated how technical excellence in non-revenue sports can translate into millions in endorsement deals with brands like Nike and Head & Shoulders.
A standout sprinter for the University of Florida, Goldsmith has capitalized on her track achievements to secure significant NIL partnerships. Her success illustrates how sprinters, despite the sport's limited media coverage, can build strong personal brands through social media engagement.
While primarily known for her international success, McKeown’s collegiate tenure at Georgia saw her develop a powerful NIL brand. She leverages her backstroke expertise and global fame to partner with premium athletic and lifestyle brands, showcasing the value of versatility in swimming.
A multiple-time NCAA champion in swimming for the University of Virginia, Walsh has secured endorsements from major athletic apparel companies. Her NIL success highlights how depth in individual strokes allows athletes to maintain year-round relevance with sponsors.
As a member of the US women's gymnastics team, Stein's collegiate career at UCLA positioned her for high-value NIL deals. Her story underscores the potential for gymnasts to earn significantly through sponsorships despite the sport's lack of direct TV revenue.
Although her collegiate eligibility is limited, Lee’s early exposure and success during her time at the University of Iowa helped establish her as a NIL powerhouse. Her global recognition has allowed her to secure deals with major brands like Gatorade and Coca-Cola.
A key member of the UCLA gymnastics team, Wong has built a strong digital presence that attracts brand partnerships. Her success demonstrates how emerging stars in gymnastics can monetize their growing fanbases through social media-centric NIL agreements.
While a revenue sport athlete, Robinson’s NIL earnings were significantly bolstered by his off-field brand building, which mirrors trends in non-revenue sports. However, focusing on non-revenue, athletes like him show that individual star power can outpace team visibility.
A standout volleyball player for Michigan, Egnor has successfully leveraged her athletic achievements into a robust NIL portfolio. Her partnerships highlight how volleyball, despite not being a revenue sport, can produce athletes with high marketability due to strong team culture.
A star in the US women's volleyball team, Washington’s collegiate career at UCLA helped build her brand. Her NIL earnings reflect the growing marketability of volleyball players who compete on the global stage, attracting sponsorships from athletic and lifestyle brands.
As one of the first women to play in FBS football, Hnida’s NIL potential was unique. While football is a revenue sport, her narrative as a woman in a male-dominated sport created a distinct brand identity that attracted sponsors interested in diversity and innovation.
Before turning pro, Fritz’s collegiate tennis background helped establish his professional identity. Tennis players like him often have higher NIL earning potential due to the individual nature of the sport, allowing for direct relationships with sponsors without team restrictions.
Though she skipped much of the collegiate route, Gauff’s early brand building sets the standard for tennis NIL. Her success shows how individual sports allow athletes to build personal empires independently of team success, leading to massive endorsement deals.
A standout volleyball player, Tartak has leveraged her on-court performance to secure NIL partnerships. Her experience illustrates how players in non-revenue sports can utilize platforms like Instagram to attract local and national brands looking for authentic engagement.
A track and field athlete, Redding has built a brand around speed and fitness. Her NIL success demonstrates how track athletes, often overlooked in mainstream media, can monetize their specialized skills and dedication through targeted influencer marketing campaigns.
A swimmer who has effectively used social media to grow her personal brand, Nicole’s NIL deals highlight the power of digital presence. Her story shows how swimmers can compete with revenue sport athletes by engaging directly with fans online.
While primarily an international star, Mac Neil’s collegiate foundation contributed to her brand value. Her NIL portfolio includes partnerships with major athletic brands, proving that individual excellence in swimming can lead to lucrative and long-term sponsorships.
A volleyball player who has capitalized on her athleticism to secure NIL deals. Her journey reflects the broader trend of volleyball athletes gaining visibility through social media, allowing them to attract sponsors interested in youth sports and fitness communities.
An international swimming icon, Sjöström’s collegiate career laid the groundwork for her massive NIL success. Her endorsements with brands like Speedo and Under Armour showcase how swimmers can achieve global brand recognition and high earnings outside of team revenue structures.