In recent years, college athletics have been upended by the arrival of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals and new revenue-sharing rules. Student-athletes now have more ways to earn money, but these benefits aren’t spread equally across all sports.
At Michigan State University (MSU), the women’s soccer team faces tough realities. Even as one of the nation’s top-ranked teams, they’re stuck wrestling with the big gaps this new system has created.
The Rise of Women’s Soccer at MSU
Michigan State’s women’s soccer team has climbed into elite territory. As of November 2025, they’re ranked ninth in the United Soccer Coaches’ Top 25 and twelfth in the NCAA’s RPI rankings.
Only the university’s hockey team is ranked higher among in-season varsity teams. But when it comes to financial rewards, women’s soccer is still overshadowed by men’s sports.
The Gender Disparity in NIL Deals
Bella Najera, a junior midfielder, doesn’t hesitate to call out a key problem: NIL and revenue-sharing deals mostly go to men’s sports, especially football and basketball. Those sports rake in the most money for athletic departments, thanks to huge media deals like the Big Ten’s $1 billion-per-year contract.
The difference in exposure is hard to ignore. MSU’s football game against Nebraska was nationally televised, but the women’s soccer game? It was stuck behind a $12.99 monthly paywall on Big Ten Plus.
Revenue Sharing: A New Era
Since July 1, 2025, MSU and other schools can now give up to $20.5 million directly to student-athletes through revenue sharing. This money is separate from NIL deals, which are funded by outside companies.
Women’s soccer Head Coach Jeff Hosler points out that revenue sharing does offer a more organized way to pay athletes. Still, the amounts usually pale in comparison to what some athletes can earn from big NIL deals.
Challenges in Securing High-Value Deals
Landing NIL deals worth thousands isn’t easy for most female athletes. The College Sports Commission requires that any third-party NIL deal over $600 gets approval, which adds another hoop to jump through.
Some players, like senior defender Allie Mairn, have managed to secure partnerships with brands like CVS, Hollister, iHerb, and Bubbl’r. The MSU Federal Credit Union’s “Women of Sparta” program has also stepped up, backing female athletes across different sports.
Opportunities and Growth
There are some bright spots. Mairn says that NIL deals were almost nonexistent during her freshman year, but things have picked up noticeably in the last two years.
Now, new platforms are popping up to connect athletes and companies, making it a bit easier for women’s soccer players to find deals.
The Role of Community and Alumni Support
Community support is a big deal for women’s soccer at MSU. The team did lose a major group deal with Charitable Gift America (CGA) and saw Darien Harris, the former Assistant AD/Business Development and NIL Strategy, leave MSU Athletics.
Still, there’s growth. Dr. Thomas Dieters, a Michigan State baseball alum and CGA board president, is backing NIL collectives at other schools, hinting that more partnerships could be on the horizon.
The Path Forward
Women’s soccer at MSU is finally getting some attention. Still, the fight for fair financial recognition isn’t over yet.
Coach Hosler admits revenue sharing is complicated. Even so, he sounds hopeful about the team’s growing fanbase and the way the community’s starting to notice.
If you want to dig deeper into all this, check out the full article on WKAR News.
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