Las Vegas Raiders star defensive end Maxx Crosby is stepping into a new role as assistant general manager for his alma mater, Eastern Michigan University. This move comes just after Crosby signed a record-setting three-year contract worth up to $106.5 million this offseason. That deal briefly made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL until he was surpassed by stars like Ja’Marr Chase and Myles Garrett. Despite his massive NFL responsibilities, Crosby is taking on a second job.
Photo Cred: USA Today
This is part of a growing trend in college athletics, especially in football and basketball, as programs adapt to the ever-evolving landscape of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) and the rise of the “pay-for-play” era. Many schools are hiring general managers to oversee recruiting, manage how NIL funds are distributed across teams, and even spearhead fundraising efforts. By bringing in someone like Crosby—one of the NFL’s top defensive players—Eastern Michigan becomes far more attractive to both recruits and potential donors.
While Crosby is the first active NFL player to take on such a role, he’s not the first professional athlete to do so. Former Colts quarterback Andrew Luck has taken on a similar role at Stanford. In the NBA, current stars Steph Curry and Trae Young have assumed GM-type positions at their alma maters, Davidson and Oklahoma, respectively. It’s fascinating to see high-profile athletes balancing professional careers with front office roles in college sports, especially during the middle of their playing seasons.
Do they really want to navigate the complexities of the transfer portal and NIL negotiations? Maybe not—but even in an assistant GM capacity, they’ll be in the loop on roster moves and program strategies. Ultimately, what these schools are really seeking is the athletes’ presence and influence in the NIL space. These pros know firsthand what today’s college athletes are going through. Their involvement in recruiting efforts can be a game-changer—imagine being a point guard recruited by Steph Curry or a defensive end being personally recruited by Maxx Crosby.
For smaller programs like Eastern Michigan or Davidson, which can’t always compete financially with powerhouse schools, this type of star power is invaluable. And beyond influence, these athletes can also contribute financially and help raise funds. Crosby has already been a generous supporter of Eastern Michigan since entering the NFL. Now, with his new assistant GM role, he’s also launched a fundraising initiative called “Maxx Match,” where he’ll match donations to the football program up to $100,000 until May. It’s a major effort that could bring in significant resources for the team.
Photo Cred: USA Today
As NIL continues to reshape the college sports world, expect more schools to hire GMs and tap into the professional athlete pipeline. While athletes have always supported their alma maters in various ways, we’re entering a new era. Their involvement now goes far beyond endorsement—they’re now stepping into real leadership roles to help build the future of their programs.
