The debate around NIL money D1 vs D2 centers on scale. While NIL rights apply across NCAA divisions, the volume and frequency of deals differ significantly. The income gap is not about eligibility — it is about exposure, media reach, and institutional resources.
When analyzing Division 2 NIL earnings, the comparison reveals a structural disparity driven by national visibility and brand budgets. This page focuses specifically on the financial difference between divisions.
Can D2 Players Get NIL Deals?
Yes — NIL eligibility for D2 athletes exists under the same NCAA NIL framework as Division 1. However, eligibility does not guarantee equal opportunity.
While Division 2 NIL earnings are legally possible, D2 athletes often rely more on:
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Local sponsorships
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Community-based endorsements
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Small business partnerships
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Camps and private coaching revenue
So in a D1 vs D2 NIL comparison, access is equal — scale is not.
You’ve seen the wild, attention-grabbing numbers.
A common question across college sports is can D2 athletes get NIL opportunities comparable to Division I players. The short answer is yes — NCAA Division II athletes are fully eligible to receive NIL compensation under current rules.
While overall earnings may differ from D1 levels due to media exposure and market size, can D2 athletes get NIL deals through sponsorships, fan-backed initiatives, and local brand partnerships when the right structures are in place.
Teenage Division I athletes — some barely past puberty — in high-revenue sports like football and men’s basketball have already built instant fortunes through Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. Major shoe partnerships, national commercials, personal clothing lines, and massive social followings have pushed some athletes into multi-million-dollar valuations before they can legally rent a car. Understanding what’s the best tool to oversee NIL deals and payments has become crucial for college athletic departments
Do D2 schools give NIL money directly? Not exactly. While Division II institutions allow NIL activity, the compensation typically comes from third-party sponsors — not the schools themselves.
D2 NIL eligibility is not restricted by NCAA policy. Division II athletes can legally earn income from their name, image, and likeness without jeopardizing eligibility, provided deals comply with institutional and conference guidelines. Platforms like RallyFuel help streamline access to sponsorships, fan support, and local NIL opportunities that may not rely on national exposure
That has driven the average NIL compensation across college sports to $21,131.
- But here’s the truth the headlines don’t tell you:
- The median NIL deal is worth less than $100.
- Half of all NIL deals are valued at $100 or less.
- The NIL boom looks enormous from the top — but the top is tiny.
Yes, D2 athletes can get NIL deals — but the earnings tend to be much lower than for Division I athletes. This article breaks down the actual differences in NIL value between divisions.
Why D1 Athletes Earn More
The primary difference in D1 vs D2 NIL comparison lies in exposure.
D1 athletes benefit from:
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National television coverage
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Larger athletic budgets
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Stronger media markets
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Broader recruiting visibility
These factors increase projected earnings and deal frequency. As a result, Division 2 NIL earnings typically remain lower due to limited exposure amplification.
The disparity is structural, not regulatory.
Local NIL Deals for D2 Players
Despite smaller national reach, Division 2 NIL earnings can still be meaningful through localized strategy.
Local NIL Deals for D2 Players
D2 athletes often succeed by focusing on:
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Regional brand partnerships
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Alumni-supported initiatives
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Niche community engagement
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Social media-driven micro-influencer deals
Understanding NIL eligibility for D2 athletes means recognizing that opportunity exists — but monetization pathways differ from Division 1 models.
Opportunities for D2 Athletes
Despite the gap in NIL money D1 vs D2, Division 2 athletes can still build sustainable income streams.
Common revenue paths include:
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Regional brand partnerships
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Alumni-supported campaigns
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Performance-based incentives
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Social media-driven small school NIL deals
While Division 2 NIL earnings may not match Power Five numbers, strategic positioning within local ecosystems can generate consistent returns.
The Rich Get Richer: Division I’s Advantage Grows
Things improved even more for the most marketable Division I athletes this year.
Before July 1, NIL income had to come from third-party entities such as booster-run collectives. But under the House v. NCAA settlement, finalized June 6, Division I schools who choose to participate in revenue-sharing can now pay student-athletes directly. This represents a major shift in NIL rules 2025.
It’s a seismic shift — and one that only widens the gap between Division I and Division II. The NCAA NIL guidelines continue to evolve, creating new opportunities primarily for top-tier programs.
If you’re looking to understand whether D2 and D3 athletes are eligible for NIL and how they can enter the space, read our full NIL access guide here.
NIL Earning Differences Between D1 and D2
According to Opendorse’s 2023 NIL Industry Report:
- Division I athletes earn over 90% of all NIL compensation
- Division II athletes earn less than 2%
Can D2 players get NIL deals? Yes, but Division II athletes face structural disadvantages that go far beyond NIL:
Scholarship Disparity
- Division I football: 85 scholarships per FBS team, average value $45,691
- Division II football: 36 scholarships per team, often split into partials, average value $6,000
Exposure Gap
Division II teams often compete in small towns like Arkadelphia, Arkansas or Spearfish, South Dakota. Their games don’t land on ESPN, major podcasts, or national highlight shows. Their social media reach is smaller. Their booster networks are limited. Additionally, NIL laws by state vary significantly, creating different opportunities depending on location.
Local NIL vs National NIL
Most Division II deals are tiny, local endorsements:
- The neighborhood diner
- A local car dealership
- A regional apparel shop
Meaningful multi-thousand-dollar deals are extremely rare. Athletes looking for best NIL platforms 2025 often find limited options at the Division II level.
Do D2 Schools Provide NIL Money or Just Allow It?
Can you get NIL deals in D2? Yes — but the average earnings are significantly lower than in Division I. This article breaks down why.
Unlike scholarships or athletic stipends, NIL money isn’t paid by D2 schools directly. Instead, schools provide the regulatory framework and support, while the actual money comes from brands, sponsors, or local businesses.
Some Progress — But Not Much
During the first two years of NIL, most Division II athletes made only a few hundred dollars, if anything. Today, the average NIL value for Division II athletes has risen slightly, climbing just above $1,500.
It’s better — but still light-years behind Division I.
What Is “2 NIL” and What Does It Actually Mean?
If you’re searching “2 NIL”, you’re likely referring to Division 2 NIL opportunities. The term “2 NIL” is a simplified or conversational version of Division 2 NIL, often used in quick searches.
In a broader NIL money comparison, “2 NIL” typically relates to earning potential at the Division II level. While D2 NIL earnings are generally lower than Division I figures, opportunities still exist through local partnerships, alumni-driven campaigns, and regional sponsorships.
Understanding what “2 NIL” means helps clarify the difference between Division 1 vs 2 NIL opportunities — particularly in terms of income scale rather than eligibility.
What Limits NIL Opportunities for D2 Athletes?
For Division II athletes who want Division I-level NIL opportunities, the clearest path is simple: Transfer up.
Under current transfer rules, athletes no longer need to sit out a season, making upward movement easier than ever.
- 25% of all NCAA athletes in the transfer portal last year came from Division II
- But only 11% of Division II athletes successfully moved to Division I
And interestingly:
28% of Division I athletes transfer down to Division II each year, often learning quickly that the ecosystem — including NIL — is drastically different.
To learn more about NIL access for Division II and III athletes, read our complete guide here.
How D2 Schools Can Support NIL Growth
Institutional strategy plays a critical role in narrowing the NIL money D1 vs D2 gap.
How D2 Schools Can Support NIL Growth
D2 programs can strengthen Division 2 NIL earnings by:
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Providing NIL education resources
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Facilitating local business partnerships
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Offering content production support
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Building structured collective initiatives
By scaling small school NIL deals through community networks, schools can improve earning opportunities even without national exposure.
The Bottom Line
Name, Image, and Likeness has revolutionized college sports, but its benefits are highly unequal.
Division I superstars are building brands worth millions. Division II athletes are fighting for triple-digit deals.
The structural divide — scholarships, exposure, donor wealth, and institutional resources — ensures that the NIL landscape remains largely tilted toward the top of the NCAA hierarchy.
And unless Division II programs gain more visibility, resources, or collective support, that divide will continue to grow.
For a broader discussion on whether D2 athletes qualify for NIL and how they can pursue deals, check our full NIL access guide.
Key Takeaway
In a clear D1 vs D2 NIL comparison, eligibility remains equal, but earning scale varies significantly. Division 2 NIL earnings depend more on local ecosystems, while D1 athletes benefit from national exposure advantages.
Recognizing these structural differences helps athletes build realistic expectations and tailored NIL strategies.
Learn More About the NIL Landscape
Name, Image, and Likeness plays an increasing role in college sports, and understanding how it works often requires more than individual articles or news updates.
RallyFuel is a platform focused on NIL-related topics across college athletics. It brings together information about athletes, NIL activity, and the broader structure behind modern college sports, helping readers explore the topic in more depth.
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