July 28th 2024.
In a move that surprised many, former Stanford University softball star NiJaree Canady recently announced that she would be joining the Texas Tech Red Raiders in Lubbock on July 24th. Her reported NIL deal, valued at over $1 million, has sparked discussions about the growing popularity of women's sports and the potential for softball to become the next big thing.
According to The Athletic, Canady's deal is for one year and was made official with the Texas Tech's NIL collective Matador Club. John Sellers, co-founder of the club, expressed his excitement about the signing, stating that it is a game-changer for softball and a testament to Canady's talent and popularity. He also noted that she could have gone anywhere, but she chose to join Texas Tech.
Canady's performance in the past two years has been nothing short of amazing, and she is grateful for her time at Stanford University. She expressed her excitement for what's ahead and thanked her former team for the incredible journey. Her impressive stats, including being an All-Pac12 First Team selection, 2024 Pac-12 Pitcher of the Year, and USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year, have solidified her as a superstar in the sport.
Blake Lawrence, CEO of Opendorse, a company that manages NIL deals, described Canady's deal as "unprecedented" and ten times higher than the biggest figures seen for college softball players. He also mentioned that there are only a few six-figure players in the sport, making Canady's deal even more remarkable.
Canady's dominance on the field is undeniable, with a record-breaking ERA of 0.57 in her freshman year and 0.65 in her sophomore year. She also holds the record for the most strikeouts in a season, with 337 in just over 230 innings. It's no surprise that she was named last season's USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year.
Former Tennessee pitcher Monica Abbott, who currently holds the Guinness Book of World Records for the fastest softball pitch, believes that Canady has the potential to be the Caitlin Clark of softball. Canady's impressive speed and limitless potential have caught the attention of many in the softball world.
In an interview with ESPN, Canady shared her belief that investing in women's sports will pay off in the long run. She pointed to the success of women's basketball, which saw a surge in popularity after increased investment, and hopes that the same will happen for softball. Her ultimate goal is to win the Women's College World Series, and she is confident that her new team at Texas Tech will help her achieve that.
Canady's emotional and passionate performances on the field have also contributed to the rise of softball's popularity. She acknowledges that she shows her emotions on the mound, especially during intense battles, and she believes that this adds to the excitement of the sport.
The recent explosion of women's sports, including softball, can be attributed to a combination of star power, increased television coverage, and the hard work of those who came before. Natasha Watley, a four-time All-American at UCLA and two-time Olympian, believes that Canady's visibility and popularity are key factors in the sport's growing popularity. She sees Canady as a role model for young girls, especially as a Black pitcher at a prestigious university like Stanford.
The rise of women's sports and the increasing number of NIL deals for college athletes have shown that investing in these athletes is a smart move for brands. And with talented and passionate athletes like NiJaree Canady leading the way, the future looks bright for women's sports.
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