Big Ten’s Largest Basketball NIL Budgets are Reportedly 4X Bigger than Minnesota’s

By Ezra Greenman |

Updated: May 12, 2024

NCAA Basketball: Minnesota at Ohio State — Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

It’s a different time in college sports as NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals redefine the game, particularly in basketball and football. And the more reports that come out regarding Ben Johnson’s Minnesota Gophers, the worse off his program seems to be in that department.

Today, long-time Pioneer Press writer Charley Walters provided some thought-provoking information about the Gophers’ standing within the Big Ten in terms of their NIL budget, and how it compares to the riches NIL teams in the Big Ten.

Minnesota Gophers are way behind top Big Ten schools in NIL funding

minnesota gophers, nil budget, big ten purdue, illinois — Photo: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Hint: It’s not good. According to Walters, the Gophers find themselves operating with just a quarter of the NIL resources that the two most well-funded schools, Purdue and Illinois, are operating with, which he is being told is $2.5 million.

Purdue and Illinois are said to have the Big Ten’s largest men’s basketball NIL budgets, about $2.5 million a year. Insiders say the Gophers’ men’s basketball NIL budget is barely one-fourth of that.
Charley Walter – Pioneer Press

In the modern landscape of collegiate sports, it’s increasingly evident that a substantial financial foundation in NIL cash is essential for any team aspiring to maintain competitiveness. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the prestigious Big Ten conference, widely recognized as one of the most prominent and competitive leagues in all the NCAA.

Walters highlights the disparity between the financial resources allocated to Ben Johnson and the Gopher basketball program for NIL deals. If he is right, that means Minnesota’s NIL budge sits at around $625,000 per year, which tells us why they’ve been losing kids to big NIL dollars elsewhere this offseason.

Given this information, it shouldn’t be surprising that Purdue and Illinois have both made runs to the Elite 8 in recent seasons. More money = More talent = (usually) More wins

It’s unclear whether the basketball program should seek additional NIL partners, but they definitely need to come up with a solution fast. If not, recruiting might become nearly impossible.