Cavinder twins share thoughts on NIL era in college sports and peak recruiting season

The NIL era has changed the college sports landscape in almost more ways than imaginable, affecting both men and women's sports. 

Hanna Cavinder and Haley Cavinder -- better known simply as "The Cavinder Twins" -- are among the most notable figures of the latter to capitalize on the ability to turn a profit on their Name, Image and Likeness. 

The pair of college basketball players, like many other athletes across the country, had their share of confusion whenever the era first began.

"I think when NIL first passed we didn’t really understand it as much, kind of like everybody else,” Hanna Cavinder said at the On3 Elite event in Nashville. “It was kind of like the Wild Wild West. But then we obviously created an amazing team around us with our attorney Darren Heitner and of course our agency, ESM. And then just being able to work with them throughout the years and truly understand working with brands and being able to have creative control within them has been amazing."

If you follow college athletics on social media, there's little doubt that you have come across The Cavinder Twins on Instagram, TikTok or another platform. 

Their annual value as of July 1, 2022, a reported roughly $2 million, according to Forbes. 

Haley Cavinder has a social media following of 5.4 million accounts, which gives her the No. 37 NIL valuation in the country (No. 3 in women’s college basketball), according to On3 Sports. Hanna Cavinder totals 5.3 million followers, which is No. 42 in the NIL100 (No. 4 in women’s college basketball).

“I think social media is such a powerful tool for businesses nowadays,” Haley Cavinder said. “And you can see how much has grown with the student-athletes since NIL has passed. When I realized that we could really do this as a dream job would probably be since NIL has passed.

Also entering their final year of playing collegiate basketball at Miami, it's safe to say the two have made the most of their branding and their talent... on and off of the hardwood.

“I think Hanna and I have done a great job with our team and working with my parents and just setting ourselves up for being successful long-term. I would just say networking, connecting as much as you can down the road has taught us so much in the business space. You can manage it all and be very proactive with the right team and people in your corner.”