Texas Tech superstar NiJaree Canady made headlines last year when she became the first $1 million softball player.
Canady has signed another seven-figure NIL contract with the Texas Tech-focused NIL collective, The Matador Club, On3’s Pete Nakos confirmed.
The news comes as Texas Tech is currently embroiled in the Women’s College World Series Final with Texas.
In Texas Tech‘s 4-3 win on Thursday night, Canady held Texas to six hits and two earned runs with six strikeouts.
Prior to NiJaree Canady’s arrival at Texas Tech this season, the Red Raiders had made the NCAA Tournament just six times in their history.
NiJaree Canady, a Texas Tech star, made headlines last year when she became the first softball player to earn $1 million. Now, she’s done it once more.
Pete Nakos of On3 confirmed that Canady has inked a new seven-figure NIL contract with The Matador Club, a Texas Tech-focused NIL collective. With her second-year contract, she will earn at least $11.2 million.
Texas Tech is currently involved with Texas in the Women’s College World Series Final when the news is released. After losing the first game 2-1, the Red Raiders recovered to win 4-3 on Thursday night, tying the series.
Canady, who has pitched all 13 innings for her team, has significantly impacted both games. In the first game, the native of Topeka, Kansas, struck out seven batters in six innings while limiting the Longhorns to just four hits and two earned runs. She came out the following night, even better than before, after being tabbed with the loss.
On Thursday night, Canady held Texas to six hits and two earned runs while striking out six in Texas Tech’s 4-3 victory. She completed the victory with three strikeouts of Longhorn center fielder Kayden Henry.
On Thursday night’s broadcast, ESPN’s Jessica Mendoza stated, “You wait for these once-in-a-generation athletes to bring us right to the brink and we’ve had them, but for some reason it hasn’t been player.”. You may have a lot of theories about what will attract people to our sport, what will pique their interest, and what will excite them. I’m watching a lot of men’s sports shows right now, and they’re discussing softball. This is just what we’ve been hoping for. For this, I have been waiting. “”.
Canady went through the transfer portal and ended up at Texas Tech after winning the 2024 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award at Stanford. During her incredible 239 innings pitched this season, she has held opposing batters to a batting average of just 156. Her 317 strikeouts and 0.97 ERA make her one of the best college softball pitchers of all time.
The Red Raiders had only advanced to the NCAA Tournament six times in their history before NiJaree Canady joined Texas Tech this season. They had never made it past the Regional stage. Now that Canady is leading the team, they are only one victory away from winning their first National Championship.
Given that she is earning exactly $1,050,024 this season—as stated on the ESPN broadcast—it is safe to say that Texas Tech is justified in spending every penny.
