NIL
Texas Tech’s NiJaree Canady Inks Another Historic Seven-Figure NIL Deal
Texas Tech’s NiJaree Canady Inks Another Historic Seven-Figure NIL Deal originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Texas Tech ace NiJaree Canady has signed her second seven-figure name NIL deal, securing her place in Lubbock for the future. The agreement was confirmed Friday by ESPN via her manager, Derrick Shelby of Prestige Management. Advertisement The new NIL […]
Texas Tech’s NiJaree Canady Inks Another Historic Seven-Figure NIL Deal originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Texas Tech ace NiJaree Canady has signed her second seven-figure name NIL deal, securing her place in Lubbock for the future. The agreement was confirmed Friday by ESPN via her manager, Derrick Shelby of Prestige Management.
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The new NIL arrangement comes through the Matador Club, Texas Tech’s donor-driven collective, and was finalized just hours before Canady was set to take the mound in Game 3 of the Women’s College World Series championship series against Texas.
The Red Raiders lost the decisive Game 3 to Texas 10-4 on Friday night.
Canady transferred from Stanford following the 2023 season is coming off her third consecutive WCWS appearance. She previously signed a landmark deal with Texas Tech in 2024 that included $1 million in direct payments and $50K for living expenses. This year’s agreement also surpasses the million-dollar mark, though specific terms have not been disclosed.
“She’s box office,” Shelby told ESPN. “This program has taken care of her. Tonight she’s playing for a national championship and making history.”
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Canady’s presence on the mound has been key for the Red Raiders. She led the nation with 34 wins and a 0.97 ERA during the regular season, and has thrown every pitch for Texas Tech in the WCWS. In the series, she delivered a gutsy six-inning performance in Game 1’s 2-1 loss and followed it with a complete-game, seven-inning outing in Thursday’s 4-3 Game 2 win.
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The Topeka, Kansas, native earned the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award in 2024 and is a multiple-time All-American. A national championship would be a fitting capstone to her storied collegiate career.
With her latest NIL deal, Canady becomes one of the highest-paid athletes in college softball history.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.