With Student Athlete Day arriving on Thursday, April 6, EmpireStakes.com — home to the best New York sports betting coverage — decided to look at the predicted highest-paid student athletes for the 2023 year.
Using On3.com, here is a list of the Top 10 student athletes in NIL valuation for 2023.
NCAA Athletes by NIL Valuation
James Tops College NIL List
Bronny James, the eldest son of NBA future Hall of Famer and current Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James is ranked No. 1 on the list, with a valuation of $7.2 million.
Currently a senior at Sierra Canyon School in Chatsworth, Calif., he was recently named a McDonald's All-American and netted 15 points, all on 3-pointers, in the McDonald's All-American Game last Tuesday.
He is a consensus four-star recruit and is undecided on a college to attend in the fall. James already has NIL deals with Beats by Dre, Nike, and PSD Underwear.
University of Texas freshman quarterback Arch Manning, son of Cooper Manning and nephew of Super Bowl MVP quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning, is second on the list — close to half of James' valuation at $3.7 million.
The No. 1, five-star recruit this season, Manning enrolled early in January at the Austin-based school and will undoubtedly see some playing time in 12 days when the annual Orange vs. White spring football game takes place April 15.
Manning has not announced any public NIL deals or agreements as of yet. Meanwhile, New York sports betting apps have Texas at +3000 to win the national championship this season.
Gymnasts Rank High On List
At No. 3 is Olivia “Livvy” Dunne, LSU women's gymnastics member at $3.4 million. She currently has NIL deals with Leaf Trading Cards, Vuori Clothing, American Eagle, Bartleby, Plant Fuel among others.
Mikey Williams, current Memphis basketball player, is No. 4 with a player valuation at $3.3 million. Williams was the first prep player ever to join a major representation agency after Excel Sports Management signed him back in July 2021. Williams has deals with PUMA, Cash App, I Got It Auction and LaceClips to name a few.
Caleb Williams, USC quarterback and last year's Heisman Trophy winner will be coming back to Southern Cal for his junior season and is expected to be the No. 1 NFL draft selection in 2024. (The No. 1 QB to be selected this year is Alabama's Bryce Young, -250 at DraftKings NY Sportsbook.)
Williams valuation is estimated at $2.6 million after throwing for 4,075 yards with a school record 47 touchdowns (37 passing, 10 rush) last season. Williams currently owns a stake in Faculty (men's grooming), Hall of GOATs (NFT marketplace) and FutureMood (mood-altering sunglasses company).
To be young again.
