The addition of NIL to college sports has been a game-changer, and it has the potential to make certain athletes quite wealthy. Just ask Cooper Flagg.
Flagg played one season at Duke before deciding to enter the NBA Draft, where he is widely expected to be the No. 1 pick. In his lone season at Duke, Flagg made $28 million, according to a report.
“He had a $13 million deal with New Balance and then $15 million with Fanatics,” sports reporter Howard Bryant said recently during an interview with Bob Costas.
The comment about Flagg’s revenue came up in the context of whether or not NIL has been fair. Costas argued that it is and that student-athletes should be able to make money off their popularity and skill. Flagg certainly has benefited from it.
In his season at Duke, Flagg averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.4 blocks per game. The Blue Devils made it to the Final Four before losing to Houston.
Flagg is poised to earn many more millions during his NBA career. He is likely to end up with the Dallas Mavericks, who hold the top overall pick.
