As a dual threat, Hunter played 1,200 snaps, setting a Big 12 record with 92 receptions for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns. He concluded the season by earning the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year award, achieving four interceptions and 11 pass breakups, according to Sports Illustrated. Since July 2021, Colorado football players have received approximately […]
As a dual threat, Hunter played 1,200 snaps, setting a Big 12 record with 92 receptions for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns. He concluded the season by earning the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year award, achieving four interceptions and 11 pass breakups, according to Sports Illustrated.
Since July 2021, Colorado football players have received approximately .8 million from NIL collectives, with more than 90 percent of that amount awarded after Sanders was signed as head coach in the 2023 season.
Other brands Hunter is associated with include his partnership deal with United Airlines, an endorsement agreement with Buffalo Wild Wings, a brand partnership with 7-Eleven, an endorsement deal with EA Sports, a college football NIL campaign with JLab, and his endorsement partnership with NerdWallet, according to reports from Sports Illustrated and On3. Separately, Hunter and Shedeur Sanders both have received large payments from SMAC for appearing in the “Coach Prime” documentary series about the Colorado program and it’s charismatic coach.
Inside the NIL Collective
A “NIL valuation” represents how much money an athlete could potentially earn through commercial deals using their personal brand, based on factors like their athletic performance, social media presence, and overall popularity.
“He lives off his endorsements and then contributes his endorsement money back to the NIL to help them field the team. He’s paying at least 10-15 guys’ NIL on the team,” he added.
Hunter is making waves in the football community, as many speculate he will be a top-5 pick in the 2025 NFL draft.
On the same day his Adidas deal was announced, Hunter was named AP College Football Player of the Year.
During an appearance on the Dec. 16 episode of the Colorado fan podcast “Zero2Sixty,” Sanders Jr., Coach Prime’s son, spoke about being Hunter being a team player: “You know, he receives no NIL from the collective, and he’s one of the biggest donors to the collective, meaning he’s paying a lot of other people’s NIL on his team,” Sanders Jr. said.
There is no indication on how much Hunter has made from his NIL, but Hunter and Shedeur Sanders lead the group with brand deals with companies such as Buffalo Wild Wings (0,000), American Eagle (,000), and Meta (7,500). Hunter has a lot endorsements, but the most notable one is Adidas, which he signed a multiyear footwear and apparel contract on Dec. 12, according to Andscape.
The hosts of the podcast were stunned. Sanders, explaining that he was reluctant to reveal this aspect of the Buffaloes star’s generosity until Hunter gave his OK, continued, “He’s like, ‘Nah, I don’t care, bro, it is what it is.’ But, yeah, Travis … he’s just an overall great person. He’s losing money from his pocket, and he’s still one of the top donors.”
In addition to financial support, Buffs4Life also engages in community outreach, including hospital visits and youth camps, highlighting both athletic achievement and social responsibility.
Hunter hasn’t confirmed Sanders Jr.’s statement.
Colorado Buffaloes star Travis Hunter’s performance on the college football field has earned him the 2024 Heisman Trophy, recognizing him as the best player in college football.
Under Coach Deion Sanders‘ direction, Buffs4Life, Colorado’s primary collective, distributed 6,000 to the players between August 2023 and July 2024 through 311 payments, ranging from ,000 to ,015 per player, according to The Washington Post. Another major benefactor to Colorado players is SMAC Entertainment, a company Coach Prime has long partnered with for production and management services. Public records show SMAC is the largest single donor to the Buffs4Life, the Post reported.
In 2021, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) introduced a change by allowing student-athletes to benefit financially from name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals.
The cornerback and wide receiver’s influence extends beyond the field. With an NIL (name, image, and likeness) valuation of .2 million, according to Sanders Jr., Hunter’s NIL earnings go into to his school’s NIL collective.
