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The University of Texas is responding to headlines suggesting it leads the country in NIL spending — and officials are calling the numbers way off.
A Wednesday report from Houston Chronicle columnist Kirk Bohls claimed the Longhorns are expected to spend between $35 and $40 million on their 2025 football roster.
The story quickly went viral and was widely interpreted as proof that Texas sits atop the NIL arms race.
That figure, however, traces back to an April 23 CBS Sports article in which Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti estimated that top-tier programs could be spending upwards of $40 million on player compensation.
Bohls cited that quote as the foundation for Texas’ supposed spending level.
By Thursday, Texas insiders were pushing back.
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian.Sara Diggins / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
According to Chip Brown of Horns247, a high-ranking university source with direct knowledge of the athletic department’s NIL operations rejected the $40 million claim outright.
“Whacked,” the source told Brown. “There may be a school or two at that level of spending, but we are not the top of the market, I can promise you that.”
Texas has remained a major player in the NIL space, especially with quarterback Arch Manning — who carries a $6.6 million valuation, per On3 Sports.
But those around the program insist the Longhorns aren’t outspending the rest of the nation.
While Texas isn’t denying it’s competitive in the NIL era, officials are making it clear they’re not the benchmark everyone else is chasing.
Continue reading...
A Wednesday report from Houston Chronicle columnist Kirk Bohls claimed the Longhorns are expected to spend between $35 and $40 million on their 2025 football roster.
The story quickly went viral and was widely interpreted as proof that Texas sits atop the NIL arms race.
That figure, however, traces back to an April 23 CBS Sports article in which Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti estimated that top-tier programs could be spending upwards of $40 million on player compensation.
Bohls cited that quote as the foundation for Texas’ supposed spending level.
By Thursday, Texas insiders were pushing back.
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Texas coach Steve Sarkisian.Sara Diggins / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
According to Chip Brown of Horns247, a high-ranking university source with direct knowledge of the athletic department’s NIL operations rejected the $40 million claim outright.
“Whacked,” the source told Brown. “There may be a school or two at that level of spending, but we are not the top of the market, I can promise you that.”
Texas has remained a major player in the NIL space, especially with quarterback Arch Manning — who carries a $6.6 million valuation, per On3 Sports.
But those around the program insist the Longhorns aren’t outspending the rest of the nation.
While Texas isn’t denying it’s competitive in the NIL era, officials are making it clear they’re not the benchmark everyone else is chasing.
Continue reading...
