The dynamics of college football have changed fast with the arrival of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) revenue-sharing contracts. Texas Tech University’s football team is a prime example—most of their roster is signed to these new deals.
This post takes a look at Texas Tech’s NIL contracts, what’s happening with negotiations, and what all this could mean for the future of college sports.
Texas Tech Football’s NIL Revenue-Sharing Contracts: An Overview
When the 2025 season started, Texas Tech had 97 players on one-year NIL revenue-sharing contracts. The full roster lists 109 players, so nearly everyone is involved in these agreements.
The university says there aren’t any players on three-year, four-year, or longer deals. The actual number of two-year contracts, though, is still a mystery—they’re keeping that private for now.
Understanding the Breakdown of Contracts
After an open-records request, Texas Tech confirmed those 97 players are on one-year contracts. The details about two-year deals are off-limits due to FERPA privacy rules.
Coach Joey McGuire has said they’re still talking with some players about extending contracts into multi-year deals.
The Role of Multi-Year Contracts
Multi-year contracts are definitely on Texas Tech’s mind. McGuire pointed out young quarterback Will Hammond as one guy who’s landed a two-year agreement.
Hammond’s standout performance against Utah on September 20 was apparently a big reason he got that longer deal.
Negotiations and Future Extensions
Coach McGuire mentioned that more players are negotiating possible extensions, with some deals maybe wrapping up by mid or late October. These extensions are tied to how well players perform, which adds a bit of pressure.
There’s always the worry about injuries—guys who haven’t locked in a multi-year contract could lose value if they get hurt before signing.
Impact of the House v. NCAA Settlement
The House v. NCAA settlement, effective July 1, has really shaken things up. Now, schools can pay athletes directly for their NIL, but there’s a cap: $20.5 million per school for the fiscal year.
This sets a new bar, letting athletes actually earn money from their own talent and what they bring to their teams.
Roster Limits and Exemptions
There’s now a roster limit of 105 players for FBS teams. But there’s a loophole—”designated student-athletes” (DSAs) who’d otherwise be cut don’t count against the max roster number.
This gives programs like Texas Tech a bit more breathing room when it comes to keeping players around.
Challenges and Opportunities in NIL Agreements
NIL agreements open a lot of doors for athletes, but they’re not without headaches. Injuries are a huge worry, since they can tank a player’s value and mess with future contracts.
On top of that, managing all these contracts and staying on top of compliance rules is a real task for schools.
Future Prospects for Texas Tech
Texas Tech’s approach is to help their athletes get the most out of these opportunities. They’re pushing for stability and financial security by working out multi-year contracts for key players.
Honestly, it’ll be interesting to see if all this behind-the-scenes effort pays off on the field and in the long run for the program.
Conclusion
NIL revenue-sharing contracts are shaking up college football. Athletes now have financial opportunities most could only dream about a few years ago.
Texas Tech seems to be pushing the envelope here. Their use of multi-year agreements really shows just how fast things are changing in college athletics.
It leaves you wondering—how will universities keep up? Supporting athletes while staying competitive isn’t getting any simpler, that’s for sure.
If you’re curious and want to dig deeper, check out the full article on Lubbock Online.
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