Sports

How Much Money Will Dylan Stewart Lose For Punching Alabama Football Player?

by Last Updated

iStockphoto / Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

Dylan Stewart will likely lose money while suspended at South Carolina.


Dylan Stewart has been suspended indefinitely by the University of South Carolina football program after punching an Alabama player in a loss to the Crimson Tide.

How much money will he lose in NIL as a result?

The exact number is hard to pinpoint, though Jordan Kaye of The State Newspaper suggests that his income will be docked while away from the football field.

Terms were likely written into his contract when signing onto play for the Gamecocks in 2026. He will probably be penalized in some form or fashion, and the length of his suspension will impact the final total.

Why is Dylan Stewart suspended?

Stewart punched an Alabama player during a loss to the Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa. It was one of at least three swings taken throughout the game according to tight end Josh Ford.

Stewart made the situation worse with his conduct off the field.

After a roughing the passer penalty in the first half, Shane Beamer went after his star defensive end. His body language was poor.

Stewart was later seen defying his coaches by refusing to be subbed out of the contest. When he finally did leave the field, he pouted on the bench.

Shane Beamer was embarrassed by his attitude.

A day after the game, the suspension was announced. Dylan Stewart will not play next week against Kentucky. His status for the remainder of the season remains unclear.

How will that impact his income?

Will South Carolina pay Dylan Stewart for missed time?

According to Jordan Kaye of The State, it seems unlikely. The reporter suggests that Stewart will either be fined or have his paychecks withheld.

Are there contractual clauses that give USC the power to fine Stewart or hold his pay? The short answer is: yes — or at least it’s highly likely…

Most college football programs have conduct clauses that allow the school or NIL collective to reduce compensation based on conduct detrimental to the program and school. That’s according to an agent who represents a player on the South Carolina football team.

There is likely language in Stewart’s contract that allows South Carolina to halt payment, or at least fine him, as a result of his suspension…

South Carolina likely has a fine/penalties program built into the contract that would allow USC to fine Stewart.

Kaye noted a similar situation that took place at Clemson earlier this year. Dabo Swinney suspended Vic Burley for an August arrest. The defender was impacted financially while missing one game. He didn’t receive his monthly payment while suspended.

It seems likely that Stewart will be penalized, too, but how much?

The defensive end is one of the nation’s highest paid non-quarterbacks at an estimated $2 million per year. That equates to around $166,666.67 per game.

It’s impossible to know what exact financial punishment could be as NIL contracts are not made public. I don’t know if he’s paid monthly across the full academic year or if his deal is front-loaded to payout during the football season.

If the outcome is simply a fine with a return date set to follow a one-week suspension, the penalty might be a little lighter. Should the punishment come on a game-by-game basis, though, the total can rack up fast.

If I had my guess, I’d say he returns to the team sometime in October. The Gamecocks have a bye week in the middle of the month. It would give Stewart a chance to work his way back without missing too much time.

It will be something to keep an eye on should the suspension last any longer, though. And if he’s ultimately dismissed from the team, South Carolina might just be off the hook for his NIL payment.