Done Deal: Kentucky Wildcats Basketball Star Inks Historic $600 Million Deal With ESPN
In an unprecedented move that is shaking up the landscape of college athletics and sports media, Kentucky Wildcats junior guard Otega Oweh has signed a groundbreaking $600 million contract with ESPN, becoming the first college athlete to enter into such a massive, multi-platform media partnership.
The deal, announced early Saturday morning, grants ESPN exclusive rights to Oweh’s personal content, including behind-the-scenes access, in-game mic’d segments, training sessions, and a docuseries chronicling his journey from high school standout to college basketball star. The partnership also includes a weekly live show hosted by Oweh, where he’ll break down games, share insights, and feature appearances from fellow athletes and celebrities.
“This is bigger than basketball,” Oweh said in a statement. “It’s a chance to inspire, tell my story, and show people who I am beyond the court. ESPN believed in that vision, and I’m excited to create something special.”
At just 21, Oweh is now not only the face of Kentucky basketball but a pioneer in redefining how college athletes leverage their name, image, and likeness (NIL). The deal, believed to span multiple years, dwarfs any prior NIL agreement in history and marks a bold step by ESPN into athlete-led content.
“This partnership reflects where sports media is heading,” said ESPN President Burke Magnus. “Otega is a generational talent with the charisma and work ethic to captivate audiences far beyond the hardwood.”
Oweh, who led Kentucky with 16.2 points per game this season, is projected to be a top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. But with this deal, he’s already made history off the court — and the spotlight is just getting started.
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