In recent days there has been a lot of fuss about Quinn Ewers new NIL deals with Dr Pepper and Rhoback. But what is the status of Arch Manning’s NIL partnerships?
Despite being Texas’ backup QB, Manning is one of the most marketable players in the country. Manning is ranked No. 3 in the On3 NIL 100 behind Colorado QB Sheduer Sanders and LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne. Dunne is the most followed athlete on social media. On3 estimates Manning’s NIL value at $3.1 million. Quinn Ewers’ NIL value is $1.7 million, according to the website.
But Manning only has a few contracts. And even those have caused controversy.
Before Manning’s first season, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian indicated that Manning would not sign any NIL contracts until he became a regular. Sark said: “His grandfather (former NFL quarterback Archie Manning) won’t let him take NIL money. He said, “You can take money when you become a player and start.”
“The beauty of it for us is that here’s a guy whose value is zero, no matter how high he is – and whose grandfather won’t let him take zero money,” Sarkisian said. “That’s a pretty good message from Archie.”
However, shortly after Sark made that statement, it was reported that Manning had signed his first NIL contract with Panini America. Panini America was also Ewer’s first NIL contract when he was at Ohio State. However, Manning’s Panini deal is something very special.
Panini America, that is one of the world’s largest sports and entertainment collectibles companies, auctioned a single signed Arch Manning card last summer. The auction attracted 30 bids, with the highest bid being $60,250.
But instead of keeping the proceeds, Manning donated all the money to a Central Texas nonprofit with the help of St. David’s Healthcare and the St. David’s Foundation.
Manning’s other NIL deal is with EA College Football 25. EA pays each athlete a flat fee of $600 and a copy of the game for permission to use the NIL. But when the game came out, Manning declined and decided not to participate. Ewers, on the other hand, is on the cover.
After no doubt some behind-the-scenes negotiations, EA announced that Manning would indeed be included in the game. Pete Nakos from On3 learned that the partnership between EA and Manning was worth between $50,000 and $60,000. EA apparently really wanted Manning in the game.
NIL Whispers: EA Sports paid Texas QB Arch Manning between $50,000 and $60,000 to promote College Football 25. @On3sports has learned.
The former No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2023 will also receive $600 and a copy of the game for his participation.
More: https://t.co/XTTBb5kXNM pic.twitter.com/i2hxPcqCL4
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) July 9, 2024
There has been no official comment from the Manning camp on the details of the deal, and it is not known whether Manning kept the money or donated it. This lack of clarity has led some to label Manning as, what they call, dishonest.
In an article entitled “Arch Manning was denounced for dishonesty,” Kevin Harrish of Next Impulse Sports said of the EA deal: “it sounds like he isn’t really waiting until he gets a regular position to take NIL money and he’s been called out for it.”
But some have praised the power play. Anushree Gupta of Sports Rush said: “it was a brilliant move by young Manning, who decided to stay away from the crowd. … Arch wasn’t interested in making extra money from the deal, but in showing that his likeness costs more than anyone else’s.”
Gupta says he was more concerned with protecting the value of his name.
BREAKING NEWS: Texas QB Arch Manning has announced that he will be joining EA Sports College Football 25🔥
(above @ArchManning) https://t.co/H1UUcqrwqx pic.twitter.com/xeGUVUpYJD
— On3 (@On3sports) July 9, 2024
“To further capitalize on Manning’s star status, EA Sports staged a commercial featuring Arch alongside his two-time Super Bowl winning uncle Eli Manning, promoting the game in classic Manning fashion. To say the least, this is a genius move by Longhorns backup quarterback Manning, as it utilizes his existing NIL value quite well,” Gupta continued.
Either way, it will be interesting to see which major companies line up to work with Arch if he becomes a starter for the Longhorns. It will be equally exciting to see Ewers appear in commercials for Dr Pepper and Hulu this season.
Contact/Follow us @LonghornsWire on Twitter and like our page on on facebook. to follow ongoing coverage of news, notes and opinions from Texas. You can also follow Trey Luerssen on Twitter @TreyLuerssen.
