Arch Manning Uber NIL Deal

Below are the top NIL headlines from Monday, March 3rd:

Arch Manning Uber Partnership - Self Driving Vehicle

The Manning family has fully embraced the NIL era, with Texas quarterback Arch Manning starring in a humorous new Uber ad alongside his father, Cooper, and grandfather, Archie. The commercial, promoting Uber’s partnership with Waymo for self-driving taxis, was released on Instagram and highlights the launch of autonomous ride services in Austin, Texas. In the ad, Cooper jokingly asks Archie who their driver is, only for the camera to reveal an empty front seat. The conversation quickly shifts to lighthearted banter about Arch’s driving skills, with Archie playfully criticizing his grandson’s navigation mishaps.

The ad not only showcases the Mannings' signature comedic charm but also reinforces Arch’s growing presence in the NIL landscape. While Uber hasn’t announced specific NIL deal terms, Arch currently holds a staggering $6.5 million NIL valuation, the highest among all college and high school athletes. As he prepares to step into the starting quarterback role for Texas in 2025, his brand power continues to rise, making him one of the most marketable athletes in college sports. The commercial cleverly blends family humor with modern technology, further cementing the Mannings as key players in the evolving world of NIL endorsements.

Beyond the humor, the ad underscores the increasing integration of NIL deals into mainstream advertising, with major brands tapping into the star power of college athletes. Arch’s involvement with Uber and Waymo signals how high-profile athletes can leverage their influence beyond traditional endorsements, aligning with cutting-edge technology and innovation. 

Florida State & Clemson Settle Lawsuit With The ACC

Florida State and Clemson have reached a settlement with the ACC, officially ending their legal battles with the conference. The ACC’s board of directors first approved the settlement terms on Tuesday morning, followed by separate virtual meetings where both schools’ boards of trustees unanimously voted in favor. The resolution comes after months of legal disputes, during which FSU and Clemson sought greater financial flexibility and the ability to explore potential exits from the conference. Trustee and former FSU quarterback Drew Weatherford expressed optimism about the outcome, highlighting the school’s commitment to remaining competitive at the highest level while acknowledging that the landscape has changed significantly in the past 14 months.

A key component of the settlement revolves around exit fees for departing schools. According to reports, a school could pay approximately $200 million to leave the ACC immediately, with that number gradually decreasing over time. By the 2029-30 school year, the fee is projected to drop to under $100 million. Additionally, under the new agreement, schools that exit will retain their media rights after fulfilling their financial obligations. Another major aspect of the deal is a revised revenue distribution model, which will allocate a significant portion of media rights earnings based on TV ratings. This shift is expected to generate substantial financial benefits, with Clemson projecting over $120 million in additional revenue over the next six years.

This settlement brings an end to a contentious legal battle centered around the ACC’s grant of rights, which dictates media rights ownership and revenue distribution for its member schools. Florida State’s lawsuit challenged the length of the ACC’s media deal, arguing that an amendment signed by Commissioner Jim Phillips altered the agreement’s expiration date. Meanwhile, Clemson’s lawsuit sought to clarify the university’s control over its broadcast rights if it chose to leave the conference. With the settlement in place, the resolution allows both schools to move forward with more financial clarity and flexibility, signaling a potential shift in the future of conference alignment and media rights negotiations.

 St. Bonaventure opts into House Settlement

St. Bonaventure University has officially opted into the House v. NCAA settlement, marking a significant shift in its approach to NIL and athlete compensation. The decision, announced by athletic director Bob Beretta and university president Dr. Jeff Gingerich in a virtual presentation, follows months of discussions with student-athletes, parents, and university stakeholders. Initially hesitant, Beretta ultimately concluded that opting in was the only viable choice to ensure the university's long-term athletic competitiveness. He emphasized that remaining outside the agreement would put SBU at a major disadvantage, as schools that chose the “status quo” would face restrictions, including a strict review process for NIL deals over $600. By opting in, St. Bonaventure positions itself to offer direct financial benefits to athletes while staying competitive in an evolving college sports landscape.

One of the most impactful elements of the settlement is the ability for participating schools to directly compensate student-athletes, with the potential for payments exceeding $20 million annually. Additionally, all Division I schools, regardless of their opt-in status, must contribute to backpay compensation for former athletes from 2016 to 2024. For St. Bonaventure, this translates to an estimated $260,000 deduction in NCAA revenue each year over the next decade. Gingerich voiced concerns about the fairness of this arrangement, pointing out that much of the backpay will benefit former football players from larger Power Four programs rather than athletes from smaller schools like SBU. However, despite this financial setback, university leaders believe opting in is essential for sustaining the institution’s athletic programs and retaining top talent.

By joining the settlement, St. Bonaventure gains the ability to provide direct NIL compensation to athletes at the university’s discretion, rather than relying solely on collectives. Traditional NIL deals, such as endorsements and sponsorships, will still be available, while university donations will retain tax-deductible benefits. The school's existing collective, Team Unfurl, will continue to operate in a supplementary role, focusing on passive revenue generation rather than directly managing NIL payouts. Although roster limits imposed by the settlement may slightly impact certain sports like baseball and lacrosse, the university is already planning to expand other rosters, ensuring a balance in overall enrollment. As a small-budget Division I school, SBU sees this move as a necessary step to remain competitive in the Atlantic 10, particularly in basketball, which remains a central part of the university’s identity and community spirit.