Pitcher NiJaree Canady signed her second seven-figure NIL deal with Texas Tech, keeping her on campus through her senior season. On Friday, Canady’s manager, Derrick Shelby of Prestige Management, told ESPN about her new deal with Texas Tech’s Matador Club collective.
The Topeka, Kansas, native signed a historic deal in 2024 that included $1 million in direct payments and $50,000 for living expenses after transferring from Stanford.
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The news comes just hours before the Red Raiders face the Texas Longhorns in a deciding Game 3 in the Women’s College World Series Friday night. The details of her new deal were not disclosed.
“Nija Canady is the most electrifying player in softball. She’s box office and she goes out every day and competes,” Shelby told ESPN. “The decision to stay at Tech was not difficult. This program has taken care of her. They have showed how much she is appreciated. The entire staff, her teammates, the school in general have been great. Tonight she is playing for a national championship and she is making history. Everything she wants from this game she can get here at Texas Tech.”
Canady is now in her third straight College World Series after leading Stanford to back-to-back appearances as a Cardinal. She posted a 0.97 ERA during the regular season, and has been a stalwart for the Red Raiders on the mound this WCWS.
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Canady pitched 6 innings (4 hits, 2 earned runs, 7 strikeouts) in Texas Tech’s 2-1 loss in Game 1 of the WCWS, and 7 innings (6 hits, 2 earned runs, 6 strikeouts) in Thursday’s 4-3 Game 2 win to force Friday’s clincher.
A national title would be the crown jewel in Canady’s decorated career, which includes several All-conference and All-American Honors. Canady also won the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year in 2024.
