USC Baseball Pursues NIL Deal to Retain Drafted Pitcher Grant Govel
The University of Southern California is preparing a name, image and likeness package that exceeds $150,000 to persuade Grant Govel to remain with the Trojans for another season after the pitcher was selected in the 16th round of the 2026 MLB Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Govel, a sophomore who posted a 10‑3 record and a 2.87 ERA while earning second‑team All‑American honors, now has until July 27 to choose between signing with the Pirates or returning to USC, where the program hopes to leverage a lucrative NIL agreement to keep its ace in Los Angeles.
Slot values for players drafted in rounds 11 through 20 hover around $150,000, meaning the Pirates are expected to present a signing bonus near that figure. To counteract that offer, USC would need to craft an NIL deal that surpasses the slot amount, a strategy that has already proven effective for the university’s football and basketball programs.
The Trojans have a track record of using NIL incentives to retain top talent, as demonstrated by quarterback Jayden Maiava’s continued commitment to USC football and the recent stays of Rodney Rice, Jacob Cofie and Alijah Arenas in men’s basketball.
Govel’s presence would bolster a rotation that has not reached the College World Series since 2001, giving the program a realistic chance to return to the national stage and revitalize its recruiting narrative.
A $200,000 NIL package, while modest compared to deals in other sports, would represent a strategic investment that could preserve a key arm for the Trojans and maintain continuity within the pitching staff.