Travis Hunter’s new NIL deal sets example in tumultuous landscape

Colorado two-way college football star Travis Hunter has drawn attention for his eye-popping abilities on the field. The wide receiver-cornerback has 342 yards receiving and five touchdowns this season, emerging as a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate.

But something Hunter is doing off the field might catch attention, too. NerdWallet, the personal finance website, announced Wednesday it was partnering with Hunter for what it calls “the smartest NIL deal ever.” 

Hunter became the first NCAA football player to sign a deal that requires “athletes to commit to a smart money action and publicly share contract terms for accountability.”

Translation: Hunter agreed to put 20% of his money earned from the deal into a savings account. 

“Preparation is the key to success both on and off the field, and I’m excited to plan for a strong financial future with the help of NerdWallet,” Hunter said in a statement via an email from NerdWallet. “The opportunity to earn and be smarter with managing my NIL money in the right bank account while playing football was too good to pass up. 

“The NIL partnership with NerdWallet empowers me to take charge of my long-term financial future, and I truly believe it can be a game-changer for college athletes like me. By prioritizing smart financial decisions now, we’re setting ourselves up for success beyond the game and leading by example.”

Hunter has an estimated $2.3 million NIL value, according to Sports Illustrated, one of the highest in college athletics.

Fans often read more stories about athletes’ financial failures than they do their successes, and even then the reports are mostly about a player securing a massive contract, brand deal or ownership stake.

For example, former Minnesota Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson recently made headlines for being in debt to creditors. Meanwhile, famously successful athletes such as Shaquille O’Neil actively promote their responsible fiscal decisions.

Hunter’s deal should be viewed as an example for all student-athletes to follow in this early, wild west era of NIL in college sports. A responsible saver rather than a reckless spender in the spotlight provides direction for future generations of student-athletes.

NerdWallet said this is its third NIL deal of this kind. The first two were signed by USC women’s basketball star JuJu Watkins and 2024 NBA Draft first-round selection Rob Dillingham.