Insider Claims Illinois’ NIL Spending is “Easily” Over $15 Million

CBS' Eye on College Basketball podcast is rolling out its annual Summer Shootaround series, previewing expectations for many of the top teams in college basketball. Matt Norlander and Gary Parrish have built the podcast into one of the premier shows covering the sport, and this year's Summer Shootaround episodes feature guests with ties to each program.

Illinois graduate and CBS football writer Tom Fornelli joined Norlander for the Illinois episode, where the two discussed several storylines surrounding the Illini.

“This whole Illinois roster is making a pretty penny. They’re easily above $15 million in NIL payroll,” Matt Norlander said.

The Illini were rumored to have spent closer to $10 million in NIL last season but returned several key contributors who likely commanded well into the seven figures to come back. Andrej Stojakovic, David Mirkovic, Tomislav Ivisic, and Zvonimir Ivisic are all believed to be earning closer to $2-3 million than $1 million, while newcomers Quentin Coleman and Stefan Vaaks also came with significant price tags.

NIL spending across college football and basketball continues to climb at a rapid pace. Illinois center Kofi Cockburn was suspended for three games before the 2021-22 season for selling Illini merchandise, and now multiple college basketball players are earning more than $5 million for a single season.

The landscape has changed dramatically over the past five years, and financial investment has become essential for programs hoping to compete at the highest level. Illinois has embraced the NIL era and committed significant resources to both its football and basketball programs. In many ways, NIL has leveled the playing field, allowing programs like Illinois to beat traditional blue bloods such as Kansas and North Carolina for top recruits. Historic powers no longer have the recruiting advantages they once enjoyed.

A payroll north of $15 million appears to be the new baseline for teams with legitimate national championship aspirations in 2026-27, while several high-major programs are rumored to be spending more than $20 million. Illinois made a significant investment to keep the core of its Final Four team together, positioning itself among the nation's biggest spenders.

“Stojakovic is intriguing in that he has been a known commodity for a number of years,” Norlander said. “Not just because of his lineage and who his father was, but because of the potential he has. And he's making himself a pretty penny.”

Returnees like Andrej Stojakovic likely would not still be playing college basketball without the opportunities created by NIL. The former No. 19 overall prospect in the 247Sports rankings was rumored to be Illinois' highest-paid player last season at around $3 million and will look to take another step forward during his senior year.

Returning five of the eight rotation players from a Final Four team, while also adding a five-star recruit and one of the top transfers in the portal, was never going to be inexpensive. Brad Underwood and his staff were able to retain their core while assembling another roster capable of competing at the highest level.

The Illini are expected to have one of the highest-paid rosters in the Big Ten next season, and with that investment comes heightened expectations. Illinois will be expected to compete for a Big Ten regular-season championship and make another deep NCAA Tournament run.