So, can college football players get paid? It used to be a simple answer: no, not directly. Today it’s messy, loud, and changing at a pace that even longtime fans can’t always keep up with. Are college football players paid? Between NIL deals, revenue-sharing proposals, and shifting conference money, players aren’t just “student-athletes” anymore. They’re young professionals navigating an industry worth billions.
And yes, the Minnesota Gophers are now part of that same fast-moving, high-stakes ecosystem. With the Big Ten bringing in monster television deals, the old amateurism line is officially done. If you’ve ever wondered how this impacts players and how it shapes the future of college football in Minneapolis, you’re in the right place.
Before we dig in, it’s worth comparing what young athletes make versus pros by checking the lowest-paid NFL position, because the gap between college and the NFL isn’t as wide as it used to be.
Let’s break down how college athletes get paid, what’s changing, and what it all means for the Gophers right now.
College Football Players Get Paid—But It’s Complicated
Do college football players get paid? The modern answer is absolutely yes, just not always through a traditional “salary.” Instead, players earn money in three core ways:
- NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals
- Collectives and donor-backed payouts
- Upcoming revenue-sharing system
This shift happened fast. NIL launched in 2021, and by 2024–2025, top college football players were making more than some NFL rookies. Suddenly, real payroll questions popped up that athletic departments were racing to solve.
Why NIL Changed Everything
When NIL arrived, it didn’t just open the door—it blew the hinges off. Players could now earn money through:
- Social media promos
- Autograph signings
- Brand partnerships
- Local businesses
- Recruiting-driven collective deal
So yes, college athletes get paid, and the most prominent stars make six or even seven figures. The highest NIL earners today would have been NFL rookies on the headlines twenty years ago. Schools with massive fanbases and wealthy boosters—Texas, Ohio State, Alabama—quickly became NIL superpowers. And that brings us to the Gophers.
How Minnesota Is Handling the New World of Athlete Pay
Minnesota has historically been a steady, disciplined athletic department, not a booster-fueled powerhouse. But the emergence of pay-for-play models forced the Gophers to adapt or get buried in Big Ten competition.
A few significant changes are happening in Minneapolis:
1. Collectives Are No Longer Optional
Big Ten recruiting requires real financial backing. Minnesota’s primary collective has stepped up, offering competitive NIL packages to keep players from jumping into the transfer portal.
2. Retention Is the New Recruiting
Coaches now spend as much energy keeping starters on campus as they do bringing talent in. Revenue sharing is expected to make this easier, but it’s still a logistical puzzle.
3. Budget Pressures Are Real
NIL + revenue sharing + rising coaching salaries = a budget nightmare. Smaller Big Ten programs must adapt quickly or fall behind.
Minnesota may not have Ohio State-sized booster money, but it has a passionate fan base and a massive Big Ten media deal. They don’t need to become the richest; they just need to stay competitive.
Are We Headed Toward a Real “College Football Player Salary”?
The phrase college football player salary used to sound like fantasy. Now it’s basically where the sport is heading. The proposed revenue-sharing models suggest players could receive $20,000–$40,000 per year as a baseline, with stars making far more through NIL.
It won’t look like the NFL’s contract system, but it’s a structured, predictable paycheck, which is something the NCAA fought against for decades.
Who Gets Paid the Most in College Football?
This is where things get spicy.
Thanks to NIL transparency (and leaks that spread like wildfire), we now know that the highest-paid college football player in a given season can clear over $3–$4 million. Quarterbacks at SEC and Big Ten powerhouses are basically making fringe-starter NFL money.
And while Minnesota hasn’t produced one of the NIL megastars yet, the Gophers are very much in the race for high-value transfers and freshman prospects who expect legitimate compensation.
Which Schools Have the Most Money?
If you’re wondering which college football has the most money, the list is predictable:
- Texas
- Georgia
- Alabama
- Ohio State
- Michigan
- LSU
- Texas A&M
These programs operate like Fortune 500 companies. Their collectives churn out deals like pro sports agencies. Minnesota, while not in this group, benefits from the Big Ten’s new media empire, which gives them a fighting chance in the money race.
Bottom Line: The Pay Era Is Here—And Minnesota Isn’t Getting Left Behind
College football players getting paid is the foundation of modern college sports. NIL, TV money, and revenue-sharing have turned players into compensated contributors. Fans, coaches, and schools must adapt to new rules.
Minnesota may not be the richest program in America, but they’re navigating the new landscape with purpose, and they’re keeping pace better than many expected.
College football isn’t amateur anymore. And honestly, it’s about time the players get their share.