The Sideline Index is an independent college sports data platform that tracks and values Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) roster markets across Division I athletics. It provides estimated monetary values for entire team rosters, player-level NIL data, transfer portal activity, and recruiting class rankings. The platform covers 357 programs and 33,960 athletes, offering a comprehensive view of the financial landscape of college sports.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
College sports programs, media outlets, and fans lack a standardized, data-driven way to quantify and compare the financial value of NIL rosters across different teams and conferences. The NIL market has created a need for transparent, consistent valuation metrics, but existing information is fragmented, anecdotal, and difficult to compare across programs.
Solution
The Sideline Index provides an independent, data-driven estimate of NIL roster market values for all 357 Division I programs, tracking 33,960 athletes. The platform aggregates direct school payments and commercial NIL activity to generate a total estimated market of $4.19 billion for the 2026-27 season, with Texas leading at $76.9 million. Users can explore program-by-program valuations, compare scheduled matchups by roster value, track transfer portal movement, and view recruiting class rankings. The platform also offers a methodology section and data licensing options for media and institutional use.
Target Audience
Primary users include college sports media professionals, athletic department administrators, sports analysts, and fans seeking data-driven NIL market intelligence. The platform also serves broadcasters, researchers, and sports business professionals who need reliable roster valuation data for reporting and analysis.
Features
- Roster market valuation model that estimates total NIL value for 357 Division I programs across all sports
- Head-to-head matchup comparison tool showing combined roster values and valuation gaps between scheduled opponents
- Transfer portal tracker monitoring 4,471 players across 417 programs with net gain/loss calculations
- Recruiting class rankings based on average recruiting-service composite ratings, including five-star prospect counts
- Conference-level market analysis showing estimated totals for the eight highest-valued conferences
- Player leaderboards tracking statistical categories like receiving yards, passing yards, rushing yards, and tackles
- CSV export functionality and embeddable widgets for data integration
- Source-linked athlete database covering 33,960 Division I athletes with individual NIL valuations