Keypoints Summary – Cooper Flagg’s $28M NIL Payday Stuns Sports World

• Cooper Flagg reportedly made $28 million at Duke through NIL
• He earned more in college endorsements than his NBA rookie salary
• Major deals included $13M from New Balance and $15M from Fanatics
• Flagg also signed with Gatorade and became a national marketing star
• Projected No. 1 pick by the Dallas Mavericks in 2025 NBA Draft
• NIL earnings could continue into his professional career
• Duke’s NIL program reportedly has “unlimited” resources

Cooper Flagg NIL Earnings Shock: $28 Million in 1 Season at Duke!

Are we still talking about a college athlete? Because Cooper Flagg just did something no one saw coming — he reportedly made a jaw-dropping $28 million through NIL contracts in his one and only season playing basketball at Duke University.

Yes, you read that right. Twenty-eight million dollars. In college.

Before he’s even dribbled a ball in the NBA, Flagg has already raked in more cash than most players earn during their rookie contracts — and it’s turning the entire sports world upside down.

Bigger Than the NBA? Flagg Out-Earns Rookie Contract With NIL Money

According to ESPN’s Howard Bryant, who spoke with Bob Costas in a recent interview, Flagg’s total came from two massive partnerships:

• $13 million from New Balance
• $15 million from Fanatics

That’s already $28 million — and that doesn’t even include his deal with Gatorade, which made headlines when Flagg became the first male college basketball player ever to land a NIL contract with the global brand.

To put this in perspective: Flagg is projected to make $13.8 million during his rookie year in the NBA. That means he made double that amount while still a college freshman. Let that sink in.

Who Is Cooper Flagg?

For those living under a basketball rock, Cooper Flagg is the projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, set for June 25. He’s been hailed as the most electrifying prospect since LeBron James and had NBA scouts drooling before his first college tip-off.

But what no one expected was just how massive his off-court earnings would become — not in the NBA, but in college.

This is NIL gone nuclear, and Flagg is the poster child for a new era in sports business.

New Balance and Fanatics Bet Big on Flagg

Back in August 2024, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski hinted at a “significant” deal between Flagg and New Balance. Now, we know the number: $13 million for a year-long partnership that will reportedly continue into Flagg’s early NBA years.

Then came Fanatics, dropping an even bigger bomb: a $15 million multi-year deal announced in January. That contract makes Flagg one of the top earners in college sports history, placing him far beyond what recruiting analysts had originally estimated.

Gatorade Makes History With Flagg

In October, Flagg made headlines again, signing an NIL deal with Gatorade, becoming the first male college hooper ever to do so. The deal’s financial details haven’t been made public, but let’s be real — Gatorade doesn’t play small.

His presence in national ad campaigns and commercial slots has already started. He’s a star before stepping onto an NBA court.

Duke Basketball’s Secret Weapon: NIL Riches

How does a teenager pull in this much cash? Two words: Duke Basketball.

Insiders say Duke’s NIL operation is “unlimited” — no budget ceilings, no restrictions, just a blue-blood machine printing money and stacking talent. According to On3’s Pete Nakos, Duke is prepared to spend $8 to $10 million to build next season’s roster through revenue sharing alone.

Flagg’s success could attract even more five-star talent to Durham — because what 18-year-old wouldn’t want to cash checks like that before going pro?

Flagg vs. NBA Rookie Deal: The Math Is Wild

Flagg is expected to sign a four-year, $62.7 million rookie contract once he officially joins the Dallas Mavericks as the No. 1 overall pick. His first-year salary will land around $13.8 million.

But if his college earnings from NIL exceed $28 million, he’s already operating at a higher financial level than most lottery picks before their pro careers even start.

And here’s the kicker: his NIL contracts may continue into his NBA rookie season, making him a dual-income star from day one.

NIL: The New Wild West of College Sports

Just a year ago, On3’s NIL valuation experts projected Flagg would make around $4.8 million in endorsements. That estimate now seems laughable.

NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) is no longer just helping college athletes make “a little extra.” It’s producing multi-millionaire teenagers, transforming how talent is recruited, retained, and represented.

Flagg’s success story is already being used in college recruiting pitches across the country. “Come here, and you could be the next Cooper Flagg.”

What This Means for the NBA

Flagg isn’t just a high school-to-NBA prodigy — he’s a marketing juggernaut.

His early brand power will change how the NBA handles rookie endorsements. Expect Gatorade, New Balance, and Fanatics to double down on his NBA stardom, using him in global campaigns, merch drops, and more.

It also means other top high schoolers will prioritize NIL potential when choosing their colleges — and Flagg just set the gold standard.

Sports World Reacts: “Wait… He Made HOW MUCH?”

Fans, analysts, and even NBA veterans were stunned by the $28 million figure.

Social media exploded with disbelief. Some praised the NIL era for empowering athletes. Others warned that money could overshadow the game itself.

But one thing’s clear: Cooper Flagg didn’t just break the mold — he set it on fire.

Flagg Changes the Game Before Entering the League

Cooper Flagg just proved you don’t need to be a pro to earn like one. His $28 million payday at Duke is a jaw-dropping milestone in the evolution of sports.

He’s not just the No. 1 draft pick — he’s already a brand, a business, and a baller with billionaire potential.

If this is what one season at Duke can bring, the future of college athletics just got a whole lot richer.

And Cooper Flagg? He’s just getting started.