根据Learfield公司最新报告，女性大学运动员在NIL（姓名、肖像和相似度）交易中的参与度出现显著增长[1]。2025-26财年，参与NIL交易的女性运动员人数从2,136人增至4,772人，增幅达123%[1]。
女子篮球已成为所有运动项目中收入第三高的项目，垒球则进入前五位，仅次于棒球[1]。据报告统计，有22个国家级品牌参与交易，超过260名来自69所学校的运动员参与了国家级活动[1]。品牌合作方式涵盖制作拍摄、社交媒体内容、代言计划、公开亮相和签名会等多种形式[1]。
Learfield NIL主管Solly Fulp指出，"女性大学运动员是优秀的内容创作者和讲述者，他们普遍精通社交媒体，并拥有真正的品牌热情"[1]。NCAA于2021年7月批准了NIL补偿政策，为这一市场的发展提供了制度支撑[1]。
Female college athletes are increasingly capitalizing on name, image, and likeness opportunities, with participation in NIL deals surging dramatically according to a new report.[1] Learfield's latest analysis reveals that the number of female athletes engaged in NIL agreements jumped 123 percent in the 2025-26 fiscal year, rising from 2,136 participants to 4,772.[1]
The growth reflects both expanding athlete interest and strengthened brand commitment to women's sports. Women's basketball has now become the third-highest earning sport across all collegiate athletics, while softball has entered the top five rankings, positioning itself just behind baseball.[1] Twenty-two national brands participated in NIL deals, collectively engaging over 260 athletes from 69 schools in national-level activities.[1] These partnerships take various forms, including content production, social media collaborations, endorsement arrangements, public appearances, and autograph sessions.[1]
The appeal of female athletes to corporate partners stems from their content creation prowess and social media influence. According to Solly Fulp, Learfield's NIL director, "Female college athletes are excellent content creators and storytellers, widely proficient in social media, and possess genuine brand enthusiasm."[1] This shift in athlete compensation follows the NCAA's July 2021 authorization of NIL compensation, which opened new revenue streams for collegiate performers.[1]