Badgers Football 2025-2026

[Pokerbrat2000]

This is the AI search on payments to Wisconsin OL through NIL. The most lucrative contracts which aren't shown are those that are nationally recognized brand involvement, like Adidas, Nike, and clothing companies. But, the Badgers $50k on up is in line with the majority of schools. Of course, the 4- and 5-star athletes on the line make more but that stands to reason.

The average Wisconsin kid who has a 3-star ranking will still get that $50k, along with a lot of other perks, and opportunities to make money. Like almost every other program, if they want to go above that they have to earn it by contributions on the field. The fact is that there are kids from Wisconsin going elsewhere to play football who should have never escaped and are getting less NIL money somewhere else than the Badgers could give them. As a matter of record, the team that started this whole thing, Texas, still has a $50k package for offensive linemen and if they contribute it goes up from there. So, that's a fairly level playing field.

Like I say, the problem is in the money available to skill players, but it's exacerbated by the fact that the Badgers can't get top level offensive linemen because they won't do their homework under Fickell. These OL kids are ending up playing elsewhere.

Fickell seems to have taken these kids more seriously this year and it looks like he might snag a few really good players with potential for '26 & '27.

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Wisconsin Badger offensive linemen typically earn estimated Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) valuations ranging from roughly $50,000 to $150,000+ per year, depending on the player's seniority, starting status, and on-field performance. However, these are unofficial, independent projections rather than public contract disclosures. [1, 2, 3]
The compensation breakdown differs based on a few key factors:

• Valuation Estimates: Star veteran linemen and established tackles on the roster, like Riley Mahlman and Jack Nelson, often command top-tier valuations within the position group. Younger or rotational linemen generally fall closer to the lower end or middle of this spectrum. [1, 2]
• Collective and Revenue-Share Funds: Historically, Wisconsin’s overall football NIL war chest (estimated around $3M to $21.7M depending on the metric) has lagged behind massive Big Ten rivals like Ohio State and Penn State. To combat this, the university expanded its commercial support via Badger Athlete Partners and implemented regulated athletic-department revenue sharing to remain competitive. [1, 2, 3, 4]
• General Appearances: Beyond massive collective payouts, linemen also earn micro-transaction NIL money through platforms like Badger Stripes, charging anywhere from $20 to $45 for autographs and short video shoutouts. [1]

Good stuff thanks.

I still would say that NIL money and how it is collected and distributed is being kept behind a veil of non-transparency. Most of the numbers we are able to see are very general. The bottom line for me is that I view NIL as the new Salary Cap for College teams. With the limit on that cap only being what the school can raise through its donors. I also view it as a growing issue in major sports like football. Just compare the numbers below with what is being "predicted spending" in 2026.

These are the top 25 Schools in 2025, for reported NIL money used in their football programs.

25. Illinois Fighting Illini: $9.3 million

24. Washington Huskies: $9.4 million

23. Louisville Cardinals: $9.44 million

22. South Carolina Gamecocks: $9.5 million

21. Iowa Hawkeyes: $9.6 million

20. Florida State Seminoles: $10 million

19. Oregon Ducks: $10.6 million

18. Kentucky Wildcats: $11.2 million

17. Arkansas Razorbacks: $11.5 million

16. Auburn Tigers: $11.58 million

15. Tennessee Volunteers: $11.6 million

14. Virginia Cavaliers: $12.7 million

13. Michigan State Spartans: $13 million

12. Indiana Hoosiers: $13.6 million

11. Penn State Nittany Lions: $13.7 million

10. Oklahoma Sooners ($14.8M)
9. Clemson Tigers ($15.2M)

8. Florida Gators ($15.8M)
7. Alabama Crimson Tide ($15.9M)

6. Michigan Wolverines ($16.3M)

5. Texas A&M Aggies ($17.2M)

4. Georgia Bulldogs ($18.3M)

3. LSU Tigers ($20.1M)

2. Ohio State Buckeyes ($20.2M)

1. Texas Longhorns ($22.2M)

Reported 2026 College Football Roster Values​

Program	Reported 2026 Roster Value	Source Type
Texas	~$50M	Aggregated estimates and industry sourcing
Texas A&M	~$50M	Aggregated estimates
Ohio State	$40M-$50M	Aggregated estimates and reporting
LSU	$40M+	Anonymous GM sourcing
Miami	$40M+ range	Industry estimates
Oregon	Top-tier nationally	Industry estimates
Texas Tech	$25M-$30M	Reporting tied to donor backing
Penn State	~$18.4M rev share disclosed	Public filing (revenue sharing only)
Illinois	~$20M range discussed	Industry estimates

 

[Voyageur]

Good stuff thanks.

I still would say that NIL money and how it is collected and distributed is being kept behind a veil of non-transparency. Most of the numbers we are able to see are very general. The bottom line for me is that I view NIL as the new Salary Cap for College teams. With the limit on that cap only being what the school can raise through its donors. I also view it as a growing issue in major sports like football. Just compare the numbers below with what is being "predicted spending" in 2026.

These are the top 25 Schools in 2025, for reported NIL money used in their football programs.

25. Illinois Fighting Illini: $9.3 million

24. Washington Huskies: $9.4 million

23. Louisville Cardinals: $9.44 million

22. South Carolina Gamecocks: $9.5 million

21. Iowa Hawkeyes: $9.6 million

20. Florida State Seminoles: $10 million

19. Oregon Ducks: $10.6 million

18. Kentucky Wildcats: $11.2 million

17. Arkansas Razorbacks: $11.5 million

16. Auburn Tigers: $11.58 million

15. Tennessee Volunteers: $11.6 million

14. Virginia Cavaliers: $12.7 million

13. Michigan State Spartans: $13 million

12. Indiana Hoosiers: $13.6 million

11. Penn State Nittany Lions: $13.7 million

10. Oklahoma Sooners ($14.8M)
9. Clemson Tigers ($15.2M)

8. Florida Gators ($15.8M)
7. Alabama Crimson Tide ($15.9M)

6. Michigan Wolverines ($16.3M)

5. Texas A&M Aggies ($17.2M)

4. Georgia Bulldogs ($18.3M)

3. LSU Tigers ($20.1M)

2. Ohio State Buckeyes ($20.2M)

1. Texas Longhorns ($22.2M)

Reported 2026 College Football Roster Values​

Program	Reported 2026 Roster Value	Source Type
Texas	~$50M	Aggregated estimates and industry sourcing
Texas A&M	~$50M	Aggregated estimates
Ohio State	$40M-$50M	Aggregated estimates and reporting
LSU	$40M+	Anonymous GM sourcing
Miami	$40M+ range	Industry estimates
Oregon	Top-tier nationally	Industry estimates
Texas Tech	$25M-$30M	Reporting tied to donor backing
Penn State	~$18.4M rev share disclosed	Public filing (revenue sharing only)
Illinois	~$20M range discussed	Industry estimates

There are several lists out as to how money flows in for NIL. School directly, 3rd party collectives, local advertisement, outside sponsors, like the deals we see that Manning got down in Texas. The independent donors who use specific athletes for advertising purposes usually have a caveat attached to the deal that the player must be with a specific team or the agreement is null and void. I know of one Texas offensive lineman who is buried at the second level this year, as a sophomore, but is making a ton of NIL money because his uncle happens to be a very wealthy oilman and he's giving the kid huge bucks to advertise a specific product he has even though the kid has never stepped onto an oil field and wouldn't know the difference between a logger and biscuit cutter.

Wisconsin does have some well-heeled supporters, but none are willing to put up money like we see going into Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, etc, as well as Indiana, Oregon, Ohio State, and Michigan in the Big 10. Even Illinois is starting to enter the picture as a "player."

That's why I say Wisconsin needs to recruit those home-based kids that are flying under the radar but could be diamonds in the rough. As far as the blue chippers, put in a bid but don't count on the kid becoming a Badger. When enough money is on the table, it's going to speak louder than home loyalty.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

When enough money is on the table, it's going to speak louder than home loyalty.

I think for most athletes, both college and pro, this is the creed.

 

[Voyageur]

I think for most athletes, both college and pro, this is the creed.

True, not only in sports but the real world. You go out and get it or you never will.

 

[Voyageur]

Hiring Eichorn as the new AD was a mistake, in my opinion. Don't look at what happened at Texas, he was the assistant AD and raising money there is easy. You just say you need more and it starts rolling in from the good old boys. Look at his record before reaching Texas for 8-years. It was abysmal. This was hiring a local boy not a good move. All I keep hearing is how he's from Lone Rock, welcome home.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

My first reaction to the Shawn Eichorst hiring was..."Meh". But as I listened to Jim Polzin talk about him, I've warmed up to the hire a bit (video below).

I think Badger fans can focus too much on the success of the Football team. Barry Alvarez is proof of that on the positive side, Chris McIntosh is proof of that on the negative side. However, an AD oversees all of a Universities Sports. Personally, I think McIntosh made mistakes with the football program, but other sports were still thriving or improved (Men's Hockey) while he was at the UW.

Let's face it, NIL and the Transfer Portal has really altered the major sports in College. I think when it comes to the Badger Football program, they got caught with their pants down when it comes to both of those changes. I also think that it is pretty obvious that the UW doesn't attract the big money that some other schools have been able to attract. Until they do/can, not even the second coming of Barry Alverez is going to save the Football program.

I hope fans give Eichorst some time to try and improve how things are being done, but they shouldn't just grade him on the success of the Football Team.

You must be logged in to see this image or video!

 

[Voyageur]

My first reaction to the Shawn Eichorst hiring was..."Meh". But as I listened to Jim Polzin talk about him, I've warmed up to the hire a bit (video below).

I think Badger fans can focus too much on the success of the Football team. Barry Alvarez is proof of that on the positive side, Chris McIntosh is proof of that on the negative side. However, an AD oversees all of a Universities Sports. Personally, I think McIntosh made mistakes with the football program, but other sports were still thriving or improved (Men's Hockey) while he was at the UW.

Let's face it, NIL and the Transfer Portal has really altered the major sports in College. I think when it comes to the Badger Football program, they got caught with their pants down when it comes to both of those changes. I also think that it is pretty obvious that the UW doesn't attract the big money that some other schools have been able to attract. Until they do/can, not even the second coming of Barry Alverez is going to save the Football program.

I hope fans give Eichorst some time to try and improve how things are being done, but they shouldn't just grade him on the success of the Football Team.

You must be logged in to see this image or video!

I'd agree with you except for one major flaw in handling the job. The only real positive money flow in all of Badger sports is the football program. Essentially every other sport finds themselves operating with a negative ledger. Therefore, the football program is more than self-sustaining, it's part of the lifeblood of other sports.

I had a conversation with people who know the inside workings of the University of Texas, Austin program, and they said that Eichorst was not really a mover and shaker in finding money for programs, or even as an organizer, but an excellent second level organizer in putting the pieces together that others had gathered, but definitely not the type who emanated strong leadership as a leader.

One person likened it to a factory. The guy working on the assembly line putting 8 pieces of a product together might be a whiz at his job, in fact the best, but if he had to manufacture the 8 individual parts themselves, he'd be at a loss, and not able to direct others on how to do it either. It's a little bit like the situation in pro football. A great offensive or defensive coordinator doesn't necessarily relate to a person becoming a great head coach, and a great head coach may not be as technical as a coordinator and might not succeed at that level.

Remember, he's already shown he was a lousy AD, moving to Texas as an Assistant, where he could hide his flaws from being exposed. The question the group seems to believe is that he's learned his lesson, but in all honesty, they don't have a clue as to how the good old boys of Texas work their magic, and quite honestly, there's no way he was even close to being part of that group. To them, behind his back, he was always, "The Yank." I felt it myself with work many years ago, even as I moved rapidly up the ladder with a company. At each level I had to contend with good old boys and their little circle of control they thought was theirs.

But that's just my opinion. I hope he does well, but I don't think it's even as good a hire as Fickell was and we all know how that is working so far.