Cooper Flagg emerged as one of the most celebrated college basketball athletes in recent times. Notably, he garnered at least $28 million in NIL arrangements during his stint at Duke, according to longtime journalist Howard Bryant during a discussion with Bob Costas at the 92nd Street Y in New York City.
This substantial amount stems primarily from lucrative contracts with New Balance and Fanatics; specifically, a $13 million agreement with New Balance and a $15 million deal with Fanatics. There’s some uncertainty on whether these figures reflect the yearly value or total contract value.
In August 2024, Flagg signed with New Balance and was featured in a promotional campaign alongside stars like Kawhi Leonard and Tyrese Maxey.
Flagg’s Fanatics deal, which he signed in January, was special as it included his inaugural rookie card from the 2025 Bowman University Chrome set.
Besides these well-known contracts, Flagg had additional NIL agreements that likely pushed the total past $28 million. Last October, he marked history by becoming the first men’s college basketball player to align with Gatorade, alongside deals with AT&T, Cort Furniture, and The NIL Store.
Before declaring for the 2025 NBA Draft, Flagg had at least six recognized NIL deals at Duke, positioning him as a leading contender for the No. 1 overall pick. His performance during the season included averages of 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and earned him key player of the year accolades. Flagg was pivotal in leading Duke to the Final Four where they met defeat against Houston.
Looking ahead, if Flagg secures the No. 1 pick, his NBA rookie scale contract is estimated at $62.7 million over four years, indicating that his professional earnings could far exceed his NIL gains.