💥$4M to Stay in School?! What Yaxel Lendeborg’s Deal Means for YOUR NIL Future

Hey Playmakers —

A $4 million NIL deal just changed the game.

Yaxel Lendeborg was projected to be a late first or early second-round NBA pick—but instead of going pro, he’s heading back to college… because the NIL bag was bigger.

And it’s not just happening at the elite level. From rising high school stars to mid-major breakout players, athletes everywhere are realizing that NIL isn’t just hype—it’s leverage.

That’s exactly why I created NIL Playbook Premium—to help athletes, parents, and coaches make sense of deals like this, and actually get in on the action.

When you upgrade, you unlock:

• 💼 Weekly NIL deal drops and brand leads

• 🧠 Branding templates to grow faster

• 🔒 Compliance tools to stay protected

• 💰 Proven strategies to start landing deals now

  👉 Click here to upgrade to NIL Playbook Premium

Let’s break down the full story behind Yaxel’s deal—and what it means for the future of NIL!

— Justin Thompson
NIL Specialist

Breaking News

Yaxel Lendeborg's $4M NIL Deal Signals New Era in College Basketball

In a landmark decision, Yaxel Lendeborg, a standout forward from UAB, has chosen to return to college basketball for his senior year at Michigan, foregoing the 2025 NBA Draft. Despite projections placing him as a late first to early second-round pick, Lendeborg secured a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal reportedly worth up to $4 million—surpassing the salary of a non-lottery NBA rookie contract. (More)

What This Means for Athletes, Parents, and Coaches:

• Enhanced College Appeal: Lendeborg's decision underscores how lucrative NIL deals can make staying in college more financially appealing than entering professional drafts, especially for players outside the top picks.(More)

• Strategic Career Planning: Athletes and their support systems must now weigh the immediate financial benefits of NIL deals against the traditional route of early professional entry.

• Program Investment: Colleges investing in robust NIL programs can retain top talent, enhancing team performance and athlete development.

Broader Trends in NIL and College Athletics

Lendeborg's case is part of a growing trend where athletes opt to stay in college, lured by substantial NIL earnings. This shift is impacting the depth of professional drafts and altering traditional career trajectories. Additionally, legal challenges, such as Tennessee guard Zakai Zeigler's lawsuit for a fifth year of eligibility citing potential NIL losses, highlight the evolving legal landscape surrounding athlete compensation.(More)

Takeaways for the NIL and Transfer Portal Community:

• Athletes: Evaluate the long-term benefits of staying in college with strong NIL support versus entering professional drafts.
  

• Parents and Coaches: Guide athletes in understanding the financial and developmental implications of NIL deals and transfer decisions.
  

• Institutions: Develop and promote competitive NIL programs to attract and retain top talent.
  

As the NIL landscape continues to evolve, staying informed and adaptable is crucial for all stakeholders in college athletics.

Weekly Playbook

“Give Away The Good Stuff (Then Sell the Gold)”

Whats the golden rule of marketing? Lead with outrageous value—before asking for anything. Build trust by solving problems up front. The more value you give, the more your audience trusts you—and buys from you.
 

🏈 Athlete Angle:

Whether you're a D1 starter or a rising high school star, NIL deals are built on audience trust and influence. So before pushing products or plugging your sponsors:

✅ Share valuable, relatable, and real content that helps your audience—especially younger athletes or fans.

💡Tip of the Week:

Create a “Playbook Post” Series.
Break down one thing YOU do that your followers want to learn.

Examples:

• 🥗 Nutrition tips for fast recovery
  

• 📚 How you balance school and sports
  

• 🧠 Mental hacks before a big game
  

• 🎥 Game film breakdowns (with your take!)

➡️ Drop it as a reel, thread, or carousel.
End with: “If this helped, share it. More coming next week.”

💰 NIL-Boosting Bonus:

Once your series gains traction:
🔒 Offer a downloadable PDF “Athlete Starter Kit” in exchange for emails.
That’s your lead magnet.
You’ve just built a list—aka your future money machine.

🚀 One Action This Week:

Record a 60-second “Playbook Tip” and post it.
Be helpful. Be specific. Be YOU.

Want a customized playbook just for your sport or NIL situation?
Just REPLY TO THIS EMAIL WITH: “Build me a plan.”

Until next week,
— Justin 

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Trending

American Athletic Conference Launches NIL Company

The AAC is making history. The American Athletic Conference just launched its own NIL company , Rise Ventures, becoming the first major conference to directly support athletes with deals, content creation, and brand alignment. More transparency, fewer middlemen, and a model that could change the game for everyone.

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