Nationwide — NiJaree Canady, a 22-year-old African American girl, has grow to be the primary school softball athlete to signal a million-dollar NIL deal. She moved from Stanford to Texas Tech and landed a document $1,050,024 contract.
Canady’s switch to Texas Tech introduced within the largest Identify, Picture, and Likeness (NIL) deal ever in school softball. Matador Membership, tied to the college, gave her a one-year contract price over $1 million, $1 million in direct fee, $50,000 for dwelling bills, and $24 to match her jersey quantity, in keeping with USA At the moment.
Canady, the present USA Softball Nationwide Participant of the 12 months, entered the switch portal simply days earlier than Coach Gerry Glasco was employed. He moved rapidly to recruit her, with assist from NFL quarterback and Texas Tech alum Patrick Mahomes. Glasco promised not only a place within the lineup but additionally extra possibilities to hit and develop her all-around recreation.
The college’s softball program had already seen massive assist from donors, with thousands and thousands invested in upgrades. Whereas the contract raised eyebrows, Canady stated the teaching workers and imaginative and prescient for the crew performed an even bigger function in her resolution.
She discovered the shift from Palo Alto to Lubbock straightforward, saying Texas reminded her extra of house. She additionally appreciated how a lot time Glasco spent serving to her enhance her hitting, which she stated different faculties hadn’t prioritized.
Regardless of a minor damage, Canady had a breakout season. She led the Purple Raiders to their first Large 12 regular-season and convention titles with a 26-5 document and the nation’s finest ERA of 0.86. She additionally delivered a 2-hit shutout with 10 strikeouts to win Texas Tech’s first Girls’s Faculty World Collection recreation.
Coach Glasco says Canady is the most effective pitcher he’s ever coached. He sees her main the crew to a nationwide title.
Off the sphere, Canady hopes to encourage the following technology. She enjoys signing autographs and goals of serving to younger ladies be taught to hit.
Born in Topeka, Kansas, Canady was a multisport athlete in highschool, enjoying softball, basketball, and even sort out soccer.
