Latest news with #MatadorClub
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Reports: NiJaree Canady to return to Texas Tech softball in 2026 with new NIL deal
OKLAHOMA CITY — NiJaree Canady and her management team have never been consistent in saying the star pitcher intended to end her college career with the Texas Tech softball team. But we now know more about what the star pitcher's plans are. Advertisement Hours before the she leads the Texas Tech softball team into Game 3 of the Women's College World Series championship against Texas, ESPN's Ramona Shelburne reports that Canady has signed on to return to the Red Raiders for the 2026 season, citing her manager, Derrick Shelby of Prestige Management Group, as the source of the information. Shelburne's report calls it "another seven-figure NIL contract with the Matador Club," Tech's name, image and likeness collective. Co-founder John Sellers and his wife, Traci Sellers, were at the forefront of Canady's first deal last summer to get her to Lubbock. On3's Pete Nakos reports the deal to be around $1.2 million, a small increase from her deal signed last year. Jun 5, 2025; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders pitcher NiJaree Canady (24) slaps utility Bailey Lindemuth (55) hand and infielder Lauren Allred (11) looks on after Canady made a diving catch for an out in the second inning against the Texas Longhorns during game two of the NCAA Softball Women's College World Series finals at Devon Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-Imagn Images The return on investment of that record-breaking deal has been astronomical for Texas Tech. Canady has earned just about every pitcher of the year award this season, including from the Big 12 Conference, D1Softball and National Fastpitch Coaches Association. She helped lead the Red Raiders to the Big 12 regular-season and tournament titles, a home regional, a regional title, a super regional title and WCWS appearance — all firsts in program history. Advertisement Canady will try to deliver the team's first national championship tonight in Game 3 of the finals against Texas. This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: NiJaree Canady signs new NIL deal to return to Texas Tech softball | Reports
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Texas Tech softball star to make $1.2 million NIL move
The post Texas Tech softball star to make $1.2 million NIL move appeared first on ClutchPoints. NiJaree Canady will take the mound in the biggest game of her athletic career, as she looks to lead Texas Tech softball to its first national championship in program history. Although the pressure will be immense in Oklahoma City's Devon Park, she will have one less thing to worry about before the final game of the 2025 Women's College World Series commences. The phenomenal pitcher will return to Lubbock for 2026, as her bank account expands to huge proportions. Advertisement The Matador Club, the Aggies' NIL collective, will pay Canady a minimum of $1.2 million, per On3's Pete Nakos. The junior became the first softball player to secure a $1 million deal when she transferred from Stanford to Texas Tech in 2024, and now she is raising the bar even further. The university invested in this all-time talent, and after seeing a momentous season unfold, it is reaffirming its commitment. NiJaree Canady has delivered for Texas Tech Canady arrived on campus with towering expectations surrounding her, following a campaign in which she won USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year honors with the Cardinals. The right-hander has lived up to her sterling reputation, posting a 34-6 record with a 0.97 ERA and 317 strikeouts in 239 innings this season. She is also batting .280 and has 11 home runs. The two-time First-Team All-American will try to tie a bow on a spectacular first year in Texas Tech in Friday's championship rubber match. Following a costly blunder in the opening game of the WCWS Finals, Canady bounced back in Thursday's battle. She allowed just two runs on six hits and struck out six batters in seven innings of work, putting the Aggies in position to earn a 4-3 victory. Advertisement Texas Tech alum and Kansas City Chiefs superstar Patrick Mahomes gushed over Canady's greatness, beaming with pride as his Alma mater pulls within one win of seizing the crown. Win or lose, this squad will always be the one that ended Oklahoma's unparalleled reign of terror. But the Aggies are not thinking about moral victories or consolation prizes. With NiJaree Canady on the bump, they expect to best their Lone Star State foe and bring home the title. The trail blazer will throw the first pitch at approximately 8 p.m. ET. Related: Texas Tech softball scores big with Patrick Mahomes surprise before WCWS final Related: Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes gushes over Texas Tech's NiJaree Canady amid WCWS
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Texas Tech softball scores big with Patrick Mahomes surprise before WCWS final
The post Texas Tech softball scores big with Patrick Mahomes surprise before WCWS final appeared first on ClutchPoints. Texas Tech Softball has had one prominent fan in their corner during their run at the Women's College World Series. Texas Tech alum Patrick Mahomes has cheered them on since they defeated Oklahoma on Tuesday to advance to the Final against Texas. Advertisement As they prep for Game 3 on Friday, Mahomes provided the team with some softball swag, per J.J. Post of ESPN. Among the items included were new shoes and customized varsity-style jackets. Mahomes has expressed his affinity for Texas Tech pitching sensation NiJaree Canady. Canady had a strong performance in Game 2 of the series. After losing Game 1, Canady redeemed herself to hold off Texas in a 4-3 victory to tie the series at one. She finished with six strikeouts and two walks. On Friday, Canady signed an NIL deal worth seven figures with Texas Tech. The deal was done in conjunction with the Matador Club, the university's NIL collective organization. She is the first softball player to sign a $1 million NIL deal. Advertisement Canady is also a member of Mahomes' Addidas NIL team. He is said to have played a role in convincing Canady to transfer from Stanford to Texas Tech. Texas Tech is looking to win its first Women's College World Series title in program history. Whatever happens, Mahomes will be present and offering his continued support. Patrick Mahomes' passionate support for Texas Tech For all he has achieved with the Kansas City Chiefs, Mahomes never relinquished his uncompromising love for his alma mater. His sitting in on the Women's College World Series or posting it online is a strong indication of his fandom. Red Raiders head coach Gerry Glasco posted a video on the team's X account calling Mahomes their 'No. 1 fan'. He did so, letting the players know about the gifts Mahomes had sent them. Advertisement 'You got a gift from your No. 1 fan, Patrick Mahomes,' Glasco said. 'His goal is to try and get here in person before this series is over. But he said to go ahead and give you this tonight because he wants to be sure you get it.' Mahomes' generosity doesn't stop there. He generously donated $5 million towards the renovation of the football stadium. Related: Texas Tech softball star to make $1.2 million NIL move Related: Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes gushes over Texas Tech's NiJaree Canady amid WCWS
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback and Texas Tech alum Patrick Mahomes hooked up the Red Raiders softball team with an exclusive gift before the Women's College World Series championship.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback and Texas Tech alum Patrick Mahomes hooked up the Red Raiders softball team with an exclusive gift before the Women's College World Series championship. originally appeared on Athlon Sports. You'll be hard pressed to find a star NFL player who is as plugged-in with their alma mater as Patrick Mahomes is with Texas Tech University. Advertisement Mahomes has poured countless resources into the Red Raiders, helping Texas Tech become one of the nation's leaders in name, image and likeness growth. The Matador Club, the university's NIL collective that receives regular donations from Mahomes and other alumni, strives to positively impact all sports, not just football. Softball is the latest beneficiary as they made headlines across the sports world last summer landing a shocking commitment from transfer pitcher NiJaree Canady, the reigning NFCA National Player of the Year. Canady received a contract from The Matador Club that exceeded $1 million, which is the largest softball NIL deal in history ten times over. Advertisement The Red Raiders went from a forgettable program in the Big 12 to conference champions in Canady's one season in Lubbock ... and they aren't done yet. Texas Tech is currently playing in the program's first Women's College World Series and have made it to the championship round to face their in-state rival Texas Longhorns. Money well spent. Ahead of Wednesday's Game 1, Mahomes - who spear-headed a new outfitter partnership between Tech Athletics and Adidas this school year - hooked the team up with custom varsity jackets to wear on the bus in Oklahoma City. The jacket features Mahomes' signature Gladiator logo on the back with each player's name and number stitched on the front. Advertisement Canady, who is the nation's leader in ERA and wins in the circle, is one of a select few athletes at Texas Tech who has a separate sponsorship with Mahomes' Adidas sector, but now, the whole team gets to represent. "You got a gift from your No. 1 fan, Patrick Mahomes" Tech head coach Gerry Glasco said. "The goal is, he's trying to get here in person before this series is over, but he said to go ahead and give you this tonight because he wanted to be sure you get it." Mahomes has been dialed in all throughout the Red Raiders' historic season, often seen watching games on his phone and posting about them on social media. And the players are loving the support just as much. Advertisement If you couldn't tell from their screams upon receiving the letterman jackets, the entire softball team is as big of fans of Mahomes as he if of them. Texas Tech would eventually lose a nail-biter Wednesday, falling 2-1 thanks to a two-run single off of Canady on a pitch that was supposed to be an intentional walk to Texas' top hitter. Now on the brink of elimination in the two-out-of-three championship series, the Red Raiders will hope to keep their national championship dreams alive against the Longhorns Thursday night at 7 p.m. CT for Game 2 of the series. Whether Mahomes is able to attend the game or not, you know he won't miss a pitch. Advertisement Related: Patrick Mahomes Reveals One Thing Driving Chiefs' Offseason Related: Do Chiefs Have 'Enough In The Tank' For Super Bowl Run? This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
New York Times
06-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Texas Tech softball star NiJaree Canady signs another 7-figure NIL deal with Red Raiders: Source
Texas Tech star pitcher NiJaree Canady, the first softball player to land a $1 million name, image and likeness contract, has signed another seven-figure deal to return to the Red Raiders next year, a source briefed on the deal confirmed. Canady's deal is north of $1 million, the source said. ESPN first reported her new deal. Advertisement About a year ago, the Matador Club, the Red Raiders NIL collective, paid Canady $1,050,024 to leave Stanford and head to Lubbock, Texas, for one year. The $24 was for Canady's jersey number, with $50,000 for living expenses and $1 million for Canady. The deal has paid off for the Red Raiders, who will play Texas in the winner-take-all Game 3 of the Women's College World Series championship series Friday at 8 p.m. ET. Canady has thrown every pitch — 495 of them — for the Red Raiders in Oklahoma City and has emerged as the face of college softball. Her trademark footstomp celebration — dubbed the 'Nija stomp' — has made its way to T-shirts, and Tech alum and Kansas City Chiefs superstar Patrick Mahomes was in attendance to watch her pitch in Game 2 on Thursday. In that game, Canady stopped a Longhorns' comeback attempt to even the WCWS and force a Game 3, stranding the potential tying run on third in a 4-3 win. The junior ace cruised through the first six innings but faltered early in the seventh. With Texas threatening in the top of the inning, having climbed back from a 4-1 hole to bring the game within a score of being tied, Canady faced hitter Kayden Henry with two outs and a runner on third. But Canady delivered three straight rise balls on the outside corner to strike out Henry and ice the game. Canady shut down Texas for most of Wednesday's Game 1 loss, until Texas' Reese Atwood won it with a two-run single in the sixth inning after a gutsy swing on what was supposed to be an intentional walk. It was a series of pitches Canady called a 'mistake.' NiJaree Canady closes out the win for @TexasTechSB! A winner-takes-all Game 3 of the Women's College World Series awaits tomorrow night 👀 (📹: @ESPN) — MLB (@MLB) June 6, 2025 Canady's 0.97 ERA is best in Division I, and her 317 strikeouts (in 239 innings) rank second. At Stanford, Canady won USA Softball's Collegiate Player of the Year award and led the program to two straight WCWS appearances. If Canady leads Texas Tech to a Game 3 win, it will be her and the program's first WCWS title. And now, she's set to run it back in 2026.
