College basketball roster spending surges due to NIL

Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) compensation and revenue sharing are fundamentally reshaping college athletics. Estimates suggest combined NIL and revenue-sharing compensation could reach approximately $2.25 billion for the 2025-26 academic year, a significant increase from $917 million in 2021-22.

A recent CBS Sports report on roster construction for the 2026 season reveals that the average NIL cost for a college basketball roster among Power Five programs and Gonzaga is $13.5 million. Spending varies significantly by conference, with the SEC leading at an average of $17.3 million, followed by the Big East ($13.6 million), the Big Ten ($12.7 million), and the Big 12 ($12.7 million).

Top-tier programs spending $20 million or more include Kentucky, Texas, Texas Tech, Illinois, North Carolina, Florida, Duke, Michigan, Tennessee, Louisville, and St. John’s. The Kansas Jayhawks currently sit in the second tier, though potential player eligibility could move them into the highest spending bracket.

Amidst this financial shift, legislative efforts like the Protect College Sports Act seek to establish a uniform national framework for NIL rights. However, ongoing legal and regulatory uncertainties remain, particularly regarding whether student-athletes should be classified as employees.