Cooper Flagg Shatters NIL Earnings Records at Duke

Cooper Flagg, the standout Duke basketball player and projected No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, reportedly earned $28 million in NIL deals during his lone college season, with major contracts from New Balance ($13 million) and Fanatics ($15 million). These multi-year deals have made Flagg one of the most financially successful college athletes ever, surpassing earlier NIL valuation estimates of $5 million. He led Duke in all major statistical categories and was named national player of the year, increasing his appeal to sponsors, including Gatorade and The NIL Store. Flagg's unprecedented earnings underscore the changing economics of college sports, with top athletes now commanding deals that can surpass some professional salaries, especially when compared to the WNBA’s top salary of $75,000. His NIL success has contributed to ongoing debates about the impact of NIL reforms. Flagg is expected to sign a rookie NBA contract with the Dallas Mavericks worth nearly $63 million over four years.