June 5th 2025.
NiJaree Canady, the current USA Softball National Player of the Year, made headlines once again after signing a groundbreaking NIL deal with Texas Tech. Last July, Canady caught everyone's attention when she transferred from Stanford, and now she's making waves with her latest deal worth a whopping $1,050,024 from Texas Tech's NIL collective, The Matador Club. As reported by ESPN, the deal includes a million for Canady, $50,000 for living expenses, and $24 for her jersey number. This deal not only highlights Canady's talent and success as an athlete but also sets an example for other female athletes in the world of sports.
During her time at Stanford, Canady led the team to two consecutive appearances in the Women's College World Series. Now, she has taken her skills to West Texas, where she is pitching for the Red Raiders and inspiring other female athletes to aim high in their careers. When asked about her thoughts on the deal, Canady said, "It's not a headline anymore for male athletes to receive such deals, and I hope that becomes the norm for women's sports as well. I see it as a privilege and hope that someone else can build on this tomorrow."
Gerry Glasco, the coach of the Red Raiders, put together a persuasive pitch to bring Canady to Texas Tech. "We're talking about a once-in-a-generation player who has already made a name for herself all over America," he said. "She's a folk hero in our sport, and she's only a sophomore." Glasco, who has three daughters that have played softball, made hitting a key focus in his pitch to Canady and acknowledged her worth as an athlete. He stated, "As an athlete, you never want to be limited to just one aspect of the game. In our sport, the pitcher is crucial, so we tend to limit them. But I think that's how Canady felt during her time at college. She wanted more opportunities, and that's what we're giving her here."
Initially, Canady's agent had requested $400,000 for her move from Stanford, but Glasco knew that was not enough for such a talented player. "She has definitely put Texas Tech softball on the map," said Tracy Sellers, a former softball player at the university. Tracy and her husband, John, a former football player at Texas Tech, firmly believe that Canady deserves a top NIL deal, just like any male athlete. "She has worked so hard to become the number one pitcher in the country," said Tracy. "After meeting her, I thought to myself, 'This is someone I would love to invest in and help because of who she is.'" The Sellers, who are prominent boosters of The Matador Club, have previously donated $11 million to the athletic department in 2022, with one million of the funding going towards stadium upgrades for the Red Raiders.
For the first time in school history, Texas Tech's softball team has made it to the NCAA Softball Championship Series, thanks to Canady's exceptional performance. After considering the offer for over a month, Canady finally accepted it, understanding that this deal is not just about the money, but also about creating opportunities for future generations of athletes. She hopes to use her earnings to open her own facilities in the future and coach young players.
As of today, Canady leads the nation with an ERA of 0.90. This year, she has had 95 at-bats with an impressive batting average of .305, including 11 home runs and five doubles. She was also named the Big 12 Pitcher of the Year and led the Red Raiders to their first-ever Women's College World Series win. The championship series continues for Canady and her team as they face the Texas Longhorns on Wednesday, with an 8 p.m. ET game time.
It's clear that NiJaree Canady is a force to be reckoned with in the world of softball, and her latest NIL deal is just another testament to her talent and determination. She is not only making history for herself but also setting a path for other female athletes to follow and thrive in the world of sports.
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