How Much Did Michigan Reportedly Spend on NIL for CBB Roster to Win 2026 NCAA Title?

Michigan won its first national title since 1989 on Monday, and it cost them a pretty penny.

According to Front Office Sports, the Wolverines' roster cost around $10 million, making it one of the most expensive in college basketball.

Other schools that spent $10 million or more include Arkansas, Duke, Houston, St. John's and Texas, according to On3's Pete Nakos. Kentucky reportedly had the most expensive roster at $22 million.

What did that reported $10 million budget get Michigan? For starters, it landed the Wolverines one of the top transfers in the nation, Yaxel Lendeborg, who won Big 10 Player of the Year behind 15.1 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.

The Wolverines also landed Elliot Cadeau, the tournament's Most Outstanding Player, from North Carolina. Aday Mara from UCLA and Morez Johnson Jr. from Illinois rounded out Michigan's transfer class, which ranked No. 2 behind St. John's, according to 247Sports.

Those four transfers were Michigan's four leading scorers this year.

The Wolverines also had the No. 11 recruiting class in 2025, highlighted by 4-star prospect Trey McKenney.

Michigan already has an influx of talent coming in through the class of 2026, as well. The Wolverines have the No. 2 recruiting class in 2026, with 5-star Brandon McCoy Jr. highlighting the group.

None of the big spenders fared as well as Michigan, obviously, but some had better seasons than others. Kentucky had a wildly disappointing season, finishing 22-14 with a second-round exit. Texas snuck into the tournament with a First Four win but lost in the Sweet 16.

Arkansas made the Sweet 16 but lost to top-seeded Arizona. Duke came into the tournament as the top overall seed and reached the Elite Eight, where the Blue Devils fell to UConn. Houston and St. John's both lost in the Sweet 16.

Spending big isn't the only way to win in this era of college basketball, but it certainly helps to have a deep NIL budget. Michigan is the latest example.