Husker Athletics getting more than $10 million NIL investment with new media rights deal
By Aaron Bonderson 
, Reporter/Producer Nebraska Public Media
Dec. 5, 2025, 5:40 p.m. ·
Nebraska Athletics will gain $10.25 million in name, image and likeness funding from its multimedia partner Playfly Sports Properties, LLC.
On Friday, the University of Nebraska Board of Regents unanimously approved the deal.
Playfly will inject $8 million of those funds mostly before June, according to materials included in the regents’ agenda.
The decision amends a previously agreed-upon media rights deal with Playfly.
Throughout the 2025 season, Nebraska football head coach Matt Rhule lobbied for increased NIL investment to attract better high school and transfer talent.
Rhule’s recruiting class ahead of this season ranked 20th nationally and his transfer class from that same year ranked 13th, according to 247 Sports.
The Big Red finished the season 7-5 with the second-easiest schedule in the Big Ten, though the Huskers were without starting quarterback Dylan Raiola for their final 3 ½ games, which included a 1-3 finish in November.
One person spoke on the agenda item at Friday’s meeting, cautioning the board about the impact of corporate sponsorships and partnerships on the fan experience.
President Jeffery Gold officially approved the measure as well, according to the board’s agenda.
The remaining dollars of the deal are required to be spent by June 2030. Playfly can invest additional “royalty” dollars earned, if it so chooses.