NiJaree Canady NIL deal, explained: How Texas Tech star became softball's first $1 million player

The Texas Tech softball program is experiencing unprecedented success in 2025, and it's a product of an unprecedented investment in a one-of-a-kind star.

As the era of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) of college athletics evolves, the Red Raiders softball team has made the deepest run in program history with pitcher NiJaree Canady leading the way. Canady transferred into the program in 2024 after its NIL collective made a historic financial pledge.

The junior spent the first two seasons of her college career at Stanford before leaving Palo Alto, Calif., for Lubbock, Texas. Canady's NIL contract and Texas Tech's immediate success may have set a new standard of compensation for the top athletes in women's college sports.

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Here's everything to know about Canady's historic deal.

MORE: Teams, odds & bracket for 2025 Women's College World Series

NiJaree Canady NIL contract

• Years: 1
• Value: $1,050,024

Canady's NIL contract is worth north of $1 million, per multiple reports. The figure was first reported shortly after she transferred from Stanford to Texas Tech.

A person familiar with Canady's deal called it a one-year contract worth $1,050,024 signed with the Matador Club, Texas Tech's NIL collective. She has reportedly inked another seven-figure contract to stay with Texas Tech next season.

During her two years at Stanford, Canady picked up several honors, including Pac-12 Pitcher of the Year, First Team All-America and USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year as a sophomore.

Canady's first season at Texas Tech has been just as fruitful as she's led the Red Raiders to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019, and the program has reached the NCAA Women's College World Series for the first time ever.

This season, Canady was named First Team All-Big 12, Big 12 Pitcher of the Year and is a finalist for USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year. More than just a pitcher, Canady has a unique profile of impressive statistics.

In addition to a nation-leading 0.89 ERA, Canady's slugging percentage  (.667) and OPS (1.124) rank among the top 10 in the Big 12.

With Canady leading the way, the Red Raiders amassed a program-record 50 wins before heading to Oklahoma City for the Women's College World Series. The investment has paid off and could become even greater for her final year of college softball.

Nijaree Canady stats

Nijaree Canady pitching stats

Canady's pitching career includes a whopping 337 strikeouts in 2024, a number that led college baseball. Her third season has been highlighted by a career-best 30 wins amassed before the Women's College World Series.

Nijaree Canady hitting stats

Canady is enjoying a breakout season as a hitter as she is batting over .300 as a junior, including 11 home runs and 34 runs batted in.