Texas Tech star NiJaree Canady to earn $1.2M in 2026
June 6 - Texas Tech star softball pitcher NiJaree Canady will make $1.2 million in a name, image and likeness deal to play for the school in 2026 after leading the team to the Women's College World Series.
Canady is making $1 million this season in her first season with the Red Raiders. She will be on the mound Friday night when Texas Tech (54-13) meets Texas in Game 3 of the WCWS championship series. The Red Raiders are vying for their first national title.
Canady was expected to be back with Texas Tech but there were also concerns the right-hander might enter the transfer portal to see how much she is worth. But her manager, Derrick Shelby of Prestige Management Group, told ESPN on Friday that Canady has signed another deal with the Matador Club, which serves as the Red Raiders' NIL collective.
"Nija Canady is the most electrifying player in softball. She's box office and she goes out every day and competes," Shelby told ESPN. "The decision to stay at Tech was not difficult. This program has taken care of her. They have showed how much she is appreciated. The entire staff, her teammates, the school in general have been great. Tonight she is playing for a national championship and she is making history. Everything she wants from this game she can get here at Texas Tech."
Former Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes has developed a close bond with Canady. The three-time Super Bowl champion and his wife, Brittany, are in Oklahoma City attending the WCWS and cheering on the Red Raiders.
"It's special. The way she's able to control the softball and the way she's able to locate in the strike zone, I mean it is special," Mahomes told ESPN during Thursday night's Game 2. "And to be able to watch it firsthand all season long, you know why we're in the position that we're in. It starts off with her and her leadership."
Canady spent her first two college seasons at Stanford before transferring to Texas Tech. She is 34-6 with a 0.97 ERA and 317 strikeouts in 239 innings this season and also leads the squad with 11 homers.
On Friday, Canady will be looking to toss her third complete game in three days. The Red Raiders lost 2-1 in Wednesday's Game 1 before prevailing 4-3 on Thursday.
Texas (55-12) is also on the verge of winning its first national title on Friday night.
--Field Level Media
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