Fernando Mendoza has done a lot of things that surprised people over the last two years. He transferred to Indiana and turned a basketball school into a College Football champion. He won the Heisman Trophy. He became the consensus No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. At this point, nothing he does should come as a shock.
And yet, when Front Office Sports asked him whether he planned to donate any of his NIL money to Indiana’s NIL fund, his answer still managed to turn heads. He said no, but in his own polite and thoughtful style.
Mendoza wasn’t being dismissive of Indiana or the program that gave him his biggest stage. He had a very specific reason for where his money was going instead. He told Front Office Sports that he has given back to the University of Miami in their efforts to fight multiple sclerosis, calling it “a cause that’s a little bit more dear to my heart.”
Why does Fernando Mendoza want to donate NIL money to the University of Miami, not Indiana?
Fernando’s mother, Marlene Mendoza, has been living with multiple sclerosis (MS). He also launched a ‘Mendoza Mania’ merchandise line with all proceeds going directly to the National MS Society. It is a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system. Her diagnosis has been a significant part of the Mendoza family’s life, although they have largely kept the details of her medical journey private.
Multiple sclerosis occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the protective coating around nerve fibers, disrupting communication between the brain and the rest of the body. The disease can cause a wide range of symptoms, including fatigue, muscle weakness, numbness or tingling, vision problems, difficulty with balance and coordination, and, in some cases, challenges with walking.
The severity and progression of MS vary widely from person to person, with some experiencing mild symptoms while others develop more significant disabilities over time.
The saddest part is that there is currently no cure for multiple sclerosis. But advances in treatment have helped many patients manage symptoms, reduce relapses, and slow disease progression. Physical therapy, medications, and lifestyle adjustments often play an important role in improving the quality of life for people living with MS.
While mom Marlene has remained out of the public spotlight, her diagnosis has been acknowledged by her son, who has spoken about the impact it has had on his family and the importance of supporting efforts to combat the disease.
A look at Fernando Mendoza’s NIL Deals in 2026
Mendoza’s NIL value jumped from $1.6 million to $2.6 million after he led Indiana to a 13-0 record and its first outright Big Ten title since 1945. That’s a $1 million increase in a single season, driven entirely by what he did on the field. His overall net worth is estimated somewhere between $800,000 and $1.5 million when you factor in taxes and how portions of his earnings are structured.
The brand portfolio he built during his time at Indiana includes Adidas, Dr Pepper, T-Mobile, Epic Games, Keurig, Rent-A-Center, and Royal Canin. The Adidas deal is the crown jewel, estimated at over $500,000 annually after Mendoza announced it on LinkedIn. It tells the world he was excited to bring his passion for sport and leadership to the Three Stripes. The rest of his deals fill in the gaps, with T-Mobile estimated at around $75,000, Dr Pepper at around $100,000, and Epic Games in the $50,000 range. All of that adds up to $2.6 million in college earnings before he has thrown a single NFL pass.
And once he does, the college money will feel like a footnote. Mendoza is projected to sign an NFL rookie deal worth well over $55 million, the kind of contract that changes everything about what philanthropy looks like for a professional athlete.
But right now, Mendoza is making choices about where his money goes. He could have written a check to Indiana’s NIL fund and generated positive headlines back in Bloomington. Instead, he is backing a cause he grew up with, one that has a face and a name in his own family. That tells you more about him than any draft grade ever could.