Texas Tech Bets Big: NiJaree Canady Re-Ups on Seven-Figure NIL Deal
By Darian Kelly
Last Updated on June 17, 2025
Softball pitching phenom NiJaree Canady has landed another seven-figure name, image, and likeness deal with Texas Tech, as reported by On3’s Pete Nakos. Canady’s second deal with the school’s flagship NIL collective, The Matador Club, is a one-year agreement worth $1.05 million. The recent deal underscores a new standard set for investment in top softball talent, especially after the milestone she set last season, becoming the first softball player to sign a million-dollar NIL contract upon transferring from Stanford to Texas Tech.
Canady’s impact was felt immediately in Lubbock as she led the Red Raiders to their first appearance in the College Softball Championship Series. Canady was touted throughout the regular season as college softball’s top player. Although the Red Raiders fell short to the Texas Longhorns in the best-of-three-game series, the final game of the series drew 2.4 million viewers on ESPN, making it the most-watched softball game in ESPN history.
Moreover, Canady was named Big 12 Pitcher of the Year and received First Team All-American honors across all media and national outlets. Texas Tech capped off the season ranked as a consensus No. 2 team in the nation by D1Softball, Softball America, NFCA, and USA Softball polls. The Red Raiders will look to build on this momentum heading into next season.
With the approval of the House v. NCAA settlement, Texas Tech’s investment in Canady could be a proverbial starting bid to acquire other championship-level players as they shift gears to next season in hopes of winning a national title.
