In our new world of NIL deals and college athletes being able to finally profit off of their own names, like they always should have, many young athletes have been signing massive deals. Recently Alabama’s new starting quarterback, who has yet to take a meaningful snap in Tuscaloosa, is rumored to have amassed nearly $1,000,000 in NIL deals. College sports is running wild, with little to no limitations on where you can sign deals, and how much money you can make.
But one slightly overlooked piece in this new world of college sports, is the mascots. There have previously been no limitations on mascots getting paid by the university for their services, but now they are free to sign their own NIL deals as well. Over the last few months while taking some time off from blogging, I have been in the field conducting my own research with every major mascot in the college world, and I have uncovered the top 10 highest paid college mascots and their estimated salaries.
10. University of Texas Austin: Hook ‘Em
Recently Hook’ Em, the mascot Long Horn (not to be confused with Bevo, their live cow mascot) signed an exclusive deal with Long Horn Steakhouse, worth approximately $75,000 a year. He is expected to air in a commercial for Long Horn Steakhouse starting this fall on SEC Network to announce the return of some mediocre rib plate that had it’s peak popularity in the early 2000’s.
9. Northwestern University: Willie the Wildcat
Willie the Wildcat is paid by the University with free tuition, equaling nearly $112,000 a year. I asked their Dean of Students, Bill, his thoughts on only paying the Mascot with a scholarship. His response was “He’s a dude running around in a costume. Frankly there’s a lot of those here and he’s the best one, we feel like this is a reasonable pay.”
8. University of Alabama: Big Al
Big Al recently signed a contract with local restaurant Quick Grill, agreeing to wear a logo on his back side advertising their famous meal “Messy Fries” in exchange for 1% of all profits from Messy Fries on gamedays, equaling nearly $10,000 per gameday. He also get’s a national championship ring for every year, so by graduation the mascot accumulates two or three 20″ diameter Diamond Rings.
7. University of Arkansas: Big Red
Big Red has been avidly trying to sign a sponsorship, but so far every company he has reached out to has turned him down. It is rumored and believed that twice a year, Jerry Jones is attendance in his private box. Typically during the 2nd quarter, Jerry asks everyone to leave his box and asks for Big Red to come join him. It is unknown exactly how the conversation goes but Big Red leaves with a wad full of cash. Pictures have estimated this to be nearly $300,000. Woo Pig.
6. Iowa University: Herky the Hawk
Herky owns 10% of the Children’s Hospital that overlooks the stadium. When asked how much money this roughly equates to, Herky’s response was “They’s a lot of sick kids.”
5. University of Georgia: Hairy Dawg
Hairy Dawg get’s access to live with Uga in his dawg house. They share the same bed, living corridors, and often the same food. Estimated annual cost of living is $499,000
4. Clemson University: The Tiger
The Tiger gets an annual salary of $50,000 and get’s access to the same supplements the training staff provides to the players, equating a total of nearly $522,000 a year.
3. Stanford University: Stanford Tree
The Stanford Tree opted to get paid in Crypto Currency. The total status of his Net Worth is up for debate.
2. Auburn University: Aubie
Years ago, Aubie signed perhaps one of the most unusual contracts seen to date by a mascot. Yearly, Aubie is provided the best Auburn has to offer: An unlimited supply of two ply toilet paper, free Momma Goldberg’s sandwiches, a VIP Pass to SKYBAR, and a bride of his choosing.
1. LSU: Ed Orgeron
Now I know what you’re thinking, Ed Orgeron is not a mascot, instead is the head coach. But those with a keen eye in the mascot world beg to differ. For one, a head football coach has to be able to coach a football team. Yes, Orgeron caught lightning in a bottle two years ago with some of the best talent on any team ever, and had two excellent coordinators who actually know how to coach. But, as evident by team play last year, his historical coaching career, and with the years to come, Ed Orgeron is indeed, not a football coach. Instead he is paid by the university to be a talking head for the football program and university; a cajun with a dialect tough to understand, aggressive and avid football fan, someone to get the people excited and yell loud, and questionable morals. i.e nothing more than a mascot who’s base salary is $7,000,000.