Former Oklahoma Sooners star and current Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb is giving back in a monumental way, announcing a game-changing $5.4 million donation to establish a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) fund for University of Oklahoma athletes. This generous contribution marks one of the largest athlete-led donations in collegiate sports history and promises to reshape the future of athlete support at OU.
The newly launched NIL fund aims to empower current and future Sooners athletes by creating sustainable financial opportunities and enhancing their ability to profit from their personal brands. Lamb’s donation is more than just a financial gift—it’s a statement of belief in the athletes who wear the crimson and cream and a long-term investment in the legacy of Oklahoma athletics.
Lamb, who rose to national prominence during his standout years with the Sooners, has remained closely connected to the university since entering the NFL. His contribution to the NIL initiative reflects a deep commitment to ensuring that current athletes have the tools, resources, and support needed to thrive in the evolving world of college sports.
“OU gave me the platform to chase my dreams,” Lamb said in a statement. “Now it’s my turn to give back and help the next generation of Sooners build their own legacies—both on and off the field.”
The NIL fund will offer structured opportunities for athletes to engage with brands, create content, develop their personal businesses, and receive guidance in financial literacy and career development. This level of support positions Oklahoma as a national leader in NIL strategy, giving the university a significant advantage in recruiting and retaining top-tier talent across all sports.
OU athletic director Joe Castiglione praised Lamb’s visionary generosity, calling it “a transformative gift that will have ripple effects for years to come.” He added, “CeeDee has always been a leader, and this commitment sets a powerful example for other alumni and supporters who believe in the value of college athletics.”
With NIL now a defining feature of the collegiate sports landscape, programs across the country are racing to adapt. Thanks to Lamb’s historic donation, Oklahoma is not just keeping pace—it’s setting the standard. This initiative promises to open doors for countless student-athletes and solidify the Sooners’ reputation as a premier destination for those seeking both competitive success and personal growth.
In true Sooner fashion, Lamb is proving that leadership doesn’t stop at graduation—it evolves into legacy.