Tech Does It Again

There’s a lot to dig into today. Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark has done a masterful job getting Big 12 inventory spread across every major TV network in the college sports space, and Texas Tech has the SEC in shambles again after landing the top player in the 2027 class. 

But first, the Anonymous Player Survey wraps up with a bang. The final two installments have the best quotes and insights of the entire series, and today’s question is a big one: how much are players really making?

Anonymous Player Survey: How Much NIL Money Are Players Making?

I talked with nearly 30 players at Big 12 Media Days in Frisco to get candid responses on everything from who they think will win the league to the toughest place to play, the best quarterback, wild portal offers, and more.

Today’s installment of the Anonymous Player Survey asks: What’s the most NIL money you’ve heard of a player making?

Here’s what the players had to say:

“I think $4 million.”

“I've heard upwards of 6 or 7 million, and I'm like, I don't even know if that's feasible. That's our whole NIL budget for our school, so I'm like, I don't know how real that is.”

“8 million for two years.”

“8 million.”

“It's funny because I'll talk to some guys in the league and they're like, yeah, you're going to get a pay cut when you come to the league. I'm like, that's crazy enough to say. But yeah, it probably is true.”

“6 million.”

“I've heard some crazy numbers. The highest one I've heard of is 3.1. Not at any Big 12 school…I hear a lot about SEC players.” 

“5 million. Them boys getting bank.”

“I ain't going to lie. I ain't even really been paying attention like that, but I could tell with all these dudes walking around with the big number chains, there’s gotta be a lot somewhere.”

What You Need to Know

• The Sports Business Journal reports the Big 12 will have 20 men’s basketball games streamed on Peacock this year. It’s part of a sublicense agreement between Fox Sports and NBC. This now gives the Big 12 games on all five major networks in the college space: Fox, ESPN, NBC, CBS and TNT.

• ESPN’s Bill Connelly ranked the 40 most important players in college football this year, and a returning starter at quarterback was deemed the most important player in the Big 12. 

• According to BetMGM, one Big 12 team is the most bet team in college football’s over/under win totals, drawing the most money on both the over and the under.

• Texas Tech received a commitment from the number one overall player in the 2027 recruiting class, Edge LaDamion Guyton, who chose the Red Raiders over Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and others. Tech also landed an official prediction from Rivals recruiting expert Steve Wiltfong for five-star 2027 OT Cooper Hackett. 

• The best uniforms in the Big 12 are getting some extra love on the national scene this week. 

• K-State fans near Kansas City: I’ll be at the 3MAW K-State–Iowa State watch party on Saturday, August 23rd, with my co-host Cole Manbeck. Hope to see you there: more details here.

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