Nebraska's new deal with Matt Rhule includes $5M payment for IP rights, LLC agreement
In his new deal with Nebraska, Matt Rhule sold his intellectual property rights to NU, which will pay part of his salary to the coach's LLC.
The second contract is between the school and Rhule’s LLC, MRJR Ventures, licensed out of Delaware in 2018.
What might be new in the industry: Through the LLC deal, Nebraska paid MRJR Ventures $5 million this spring to purchase Rhule’s intellectual property rights, for the duration of his tenure at NU.
Signed March 31, 2026, the deal pays roughly 19% of the 2026 salary on Rhule’s term sheet and 25% annually after that. When he makes $10 million in 2027, $7.5 million goes to Rhule and $2.5 million goes to the LLC..
NU now owns the “House Rhules” podcast, which has more than 12,000 subscribers, with episodes routinely attracting more than 50,000 views. Nebraska could collect speaking fees should Rhule be paid to give a speech, or it could put Rhule’s face on a cup and sell it for profit.