NIL deals have quickly changed the landscape of college sports in just a few years.
Now, a unique deal has surfaced for Duke Blue Devils basketball commit Deron Rippey Jr. Rippey is a five-star Class of 2026 point guard who committed to Duke in December, and he has now landed an NIL with a frozen pasta company that sounds exactly like his last name.
The deal is with the frozen pasta brand Ripi, according to Justin Birnbaum of Sportico.
“The deal comes with a modest five-figure cash payment and a less than 1% equity stake in the company that vests over multiple years based on Rippey’s continued involvement with the business. It also has the option to extend beyond his Duke career,” Birnbaum wrote.
The unique aspect is that Rippey is getting a small equity stake in the company, and it can continue even after he finishes playing at Duke.
Ripi is a lesser-known brand, but Sportico reports that the company is expected to increase from $350,000 worth of revenue in 2025 to $6.5 million in 2026.
It’s also a long-term gamble for Rippey, especially with the type of money college stars have made from NIL deals. Cooper Flagg reportedly made $28 million in NIL deals during his one season at Duke.
Texas Tech’s JT Toppin turned down the NBA Draft in 2025 for a $4 million deal, and Michigan Wolverine star and potential 2026 NBA Draft lottery pick Yaxel Lendeborg revealed he was offered between $7-$9 million from Kentucky before he chose to go to Michigan.
