Zion Williamson could reportedly receive more than $1 million in NIL back damages

As the NCAA settles with athletes unable to profit off of NIL, On3’s Pete Nakos reports that Zion Williamson could receive more than $1 million.

Former Duke basketball star Zion Williamson would have made millions in name, image, and likeness compensation if it existed back when he played in Durham. Now, based on one court case, he still might.

According to a report from On3’s Pete Nakos on Friday, the NCAA reached a 10-year settlement to pay more than $2.5 billion in back damages to athletes unable to profit off of NIL.

According to the report, athletes are broken into categories based on their sport with the most compensation given to football players and men’s basketball players. The money comes from different categories as well, meant to reflect profits from broadcasting deals, potential video game compensation, and other lost opportunities. That final category will prove the most lucrative for Williamson.

“Just 3,000 athletes fall into the lost opportunities category in football and men’s basketball,” Nakos wrote. “But for some of the top talent that missed out on NIL, they could command $800,000.”

The report named Williamson, former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow, and former Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield as prime examples of such top talent.

Nakos reported that the first payment will be due in May 2025.