Can D2 and D3 athletes get NIL deals?

Yes, NCAA Division II (D2) and Division III (D3) athletes can absolutely get Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, just like their D1 counterparts, allowing them to earn money from endorsements, social media, appearances, and camps, though visibility and major collective support might be less than at the D1 level, says NCAA.org, Spikeview, The Whitworthian, and Opendorse, this article from 2021.

Can D3 athletes get NIL deals?

Can Division III athletes participate in NIL deals? Yes, D3 athletes are eligible to engage in NIL activities, just like athletes in other divisions.

Do D2 athletes get NIL deals?

With the rise of product promotion among influencers on social media, NIL deals have increasingly become more available to D1 and D2 student athletes. NIL stands for Name, Image and Likeness, which encompasses the right of publicity for the promotion of a company through an individual.

Does division 2 give NIL?

Senior soccer defender Josh Farrell agreed, noting that Division II athletes face limited NIL access, primarily due to lower visibility. “I did not receive any NIL offers while at Trevecca,” Farrell said. “DII athletes have some access, but DI athletes usually have more following.

Do D2 and D3 schools offer athletic scholarships?

Unlike D1 and D2, D3 schools do not offer athletic scholarships. However, they provide extensive academic and merit-based aid that can make the total cost of attendance very manageable.

How to Get Your First NIL Deal

How do D3 athletes pay for college?

With more than 183,000 student-athletes, NCAA Division III (DIII) schools do not offer athletically related financial aid, but most student-athletes receive some form of academic scholarship (merit) or need-based grant.

Do division 2 players get paid?

In Division I and Division II, athletic scholarships are offered to talented student-athletes to help cover the cost of attendance at the university. Coaches are crucial in recruiting, identifying promising athletes, visiting high school teams and clubs, and building relationships with potential recruits.

Who is eligible for NIL deals?

NIL deals (Name, Image, Likeness) go to college and high school athletes, allowing them to earn money from endorsements, appearances, and promotions, not directly from their schools for playing, but through third-party companies, collectives, and businesses leveraging their personal brand, with deals varying from major endorsements to smaller local promotions for athletes with engaged followings, even if not famous. 

How much did Caitlin Clark make in NIL?

Caitlin Clark earned an estimated $3.1 million in NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) money during her college career at Iowa, with deals from brands like Nike, Gatorade, and State Farm, but her biggest deal is her post-college Nike contract, an 8-year, $28 million agreement with a signature shoe, making her total endorsement income well over $11 million annually now. 

Who is the highest NIL earner?

The highest-paid college athlete for Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) is currently Arch Manning, the quarterback for Texas, with an estimated valuation over $6 million, though figures vary slightly by source, followed by football players like Jeremiah Smith and basketball players like AJ Dybantsa or Carson Beck, often quarterbacks dominating the top spots due to visibility. Other top earners include Bronny James (USC Basketball) and Shedeur Sanders (Colorado Football), while gymnasts like Livvy Dunne also rank high.
 

What is the NCAA D2 30% rule?

The NCAA Division II 30% rule, effective August 1, 2025, allows freshmen in their initial year of college to play in up to 30% of a sport's maximum games or competition dates without using a season of competition, essentially giving them a "playing redshirt" year, offering more flexibility to gain experience while preserving their eligibility, according to. This new rule provides more leeway than older medical hardship rules, as it doesn't require an injury, but instead allows for participation up to that percentage, making it easier for first-year athletes to get on the field or court without burning a year of eligibility, as detailed in sources . 

Who actually pays the NIL money?

NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) money is paid to college athletes by third-party businesses, brands, and NIL collectives, not directly by the schools, for endorsements, social media posts, appearances, or merchandise sales. These funds come from corporations, university donors, alumni, and fans who pool money through collectives to support athletes in exchange for promotional activities, making athletes marketing partners.
 

What is the 40-60-80 rule?

The 40/60/80 Rule is an NCAA standard for Division I student-athlete academic eligibility, requiring them to complete specific percentages of their degree by set times: 40% of degree requirements by the start of their third year (end of sophomore year), 60% by the start of their fourth year (end of junior year), and 80% by the start of their fifth year (end of senior year) to remain eligible for competition. This rule ensures athletes make steady academic progress toward graduation, preventing last-minute rushes to finish coursework. 

Do D2 schools give NIL money?

Can D2 athletes get NIL deals? Yes, D2 athletes are eligible for NIL deals, allowing them to earn from endorsements, social media, and appearances.

Why can't D3 give scholarships?

Division III programs do not offer athletic scholarships because they emphasize a well-rounded, balanced college experience as opposed to one heavily focused on athletics.

Can you get a full ride for D3?

No, D3 schools cannot give athletic scholarships, but they frequently offer substantial academic (merit-based) or need-based financial aid, allowing many student-athletes to receive full rides or significant discounts, sometimes exceeding aid at D1/D2 schools. While they can't base aid on sports, strong grades and financial need can combine with recruited athlete status to create very generous packages covering tuition, room, and board. 

What is Brittney Griners' salary?

Brittney Griner's WNBA salary varies but was around $227,000-$228,000 for recent seasons (2022-2023), part of a multi-year deal, though she earned significantly more playing overseas in Russia (over $1 million annually) for better pay, with some sources citing her 2025 salary at roughly $214,466 with the Atlanta Dream, reflecting higher top-end WNBA salaries in recent years. 

What is Jeff Walz's salary?

Louisville women's basketball coach Jeff Walz earned around $1.75 million for the 2023-24 season, with his contract extending through 2028-29, increasing his base salary to $2 million by the final year, plus performance bonuses for conference and NCAA success, according to reports from late 2023 and early 2024. 

Who is the richest woman in the WNBA?

The richest woman in the WNBA is widely considered to be Caitlin Clark, with Forbes estimating her net worth around $12.1 million (as of late 2025), largely driven by massive endorsement deals with Nike (including a signature shoe), Gatorade, and State Farm, far exceeding her rookie WNBA salary. Her immense off-court earnings and market influence make her the top earner, transforming her NIL college success into a significant professional financial empire. 

Do D2 athletes get paid?

Yes, D2 athletes can get paid through athletic scholarships (usually partial) and Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) deals, but it's less common to get a full ride compared to D1; they often combine athletic aid with academic scholarships and outside income, allowing them to earn money off their name, image, and likeness, though not directly from the university as salaries. 

What is the average NIL payment?

The average NIL payment varies wildly, with NCAA data showing the average athlete received around $23,496 in 2024, but over half of deals were for $100 or less, while high-profile athletes in football and basketball can earn millions through major endorsements, with top football players sometimes getting hundreds of thousands to over a million, and top women's basketball players like Caitlin Clark earning significant amounts.
 

Do high school kids get NIL money?

Yes, high school athletes can get NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals in most U.S. states, but rules vary significantly by state and association, allowing monetization through endorsements, appearances, and social media, though typically with restrictions like no "pay-for-play" or school-branded uniforms in ads, with only a few states like Alabama, Hawaii, Michigan, Wyoming, and Indiana still banning them as of late 2025.
 

Can D2 give athletic money?

Very few student-athletes at Division II schools will receive full scholarships, but most will receive partial scholarships or some other form of athletic-based financial aid. Additionally, student-athletes can apply for other scholarships, like merit or academic scholarships or other forms of financial aid.

Can division 3 get NIL?

NIL is applicable to D3 and will continue to grow in importance to our student-athletes. If you are not proactively involved in supporting your student-athletes in this area, others will.

How much do D2 college coaches make?

As of Jan 12, 2026, the average annual pay for a Division 2 Basketball Coach in California is $48,777 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $23.45 an hour.