What Is Erin Matson’s Net Worth: How She Became a Sports Icon
If you follow college sports, the name Erin Matson probably sounds familiar—and for good reason. She’s a five-time national champion, one of the most decorated field hockey players in NCAA history, and now the youngest head coach ever at a top Division I program. But what is Erin Matson’s net worth, and how does someone in a sport that doesn’t always make headlines transform elite performance into financial growth and long-term success? Her story isn’t just about medals and stats. It’s about trailblazing, leadership, and building a career on her own terms—at a remarkably young age.
Who Is Erin Matson?
Erin Matson is more than just a standout athlete—she’s a generational talent who redefined what’s possible in collegiate field hockey. Born in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, she started playing the sport as a child and quickly made waves as a young prodigy. By the time she was a teenager, she was already representing the United States on the national team. Her blend of technical precision, game awareness, and unshakable confidence made her a star early on.
But her collegiate career is what truly elevated her into the sports spotlight. Matson played for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she led the Tar Heels to five national championships between 2018 and 2023. She was named National Player of the Year multiple times and finished her career as the program’s all-time leading scorer. To put it simply, Erin Matson didn’t just participate in college field hockey—she dominated it.
And then she did something even more extraordinary. In 2023, shortly after her playing career ended, Matson was named the head coach of UNC’s field hockey program. At just 23 years old, she became the youngest head coach in any NCAA Division I sport. Critics questioned the move at first, but she answered with results. In her debut season as coach, she led the team to yet another NCAA title, proving that her leadership wasn’t limited to her stick skills—it extended to the entire sideline.
Her story captured attention not only from field hockey fans but from the broader world of college athletics. She quickly became a symbol of what’s possible when young women are given the reins, and her brand began to grow beyond the confines of her sport.
A Clear Breakdown of Erin Matson’s Net Worth
So what is Erin Matson’s net worth, and how is it made up? As of 2025, estimates suggest her net worth falls between $250,000 and $500,000, with strong potential to grow as her coaching career advances and brand opportunities continue to emerge. While she isn’t raking in the millions like some pro athletes in high-profile sports, her financial trajectory is impressive—especially given the limited commercial visibility of field hockey. Here’s how her income breaks down.
Athletic Scholarships and Collegiate Perks
During her time at UNC, Matson was not technically allowed to earn a salary from field hockey due to NCAA amateurism rules. However, as a top-level athlete, she received significant non-monetary compensation in the form of a full athletic scholarship.
That scholarship covered tuition, housing, meals, gear, travel, and medical support—benefits that are easily worth $30,000 to $60,000 per year, depending on the program. Over the course of a four- to five-year college career, that adds up to over $150,000 in value. For a student-athlete, that’s a substantial head start, especially when combined with the national exposure she gained while winning titles and earning awards.
Even beyond the scholarship, Matson enjoyed other university-funded perks: free gear and apparel, travel to national tournaments, access to top-tier coaching and training facilities, and professional development support that helped her become the confident, media-savvy leader she is today.
NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) Earnings
A game-changing development in college sports came in 2021, when the NCAA lifted restrictions on student-athletes profiting from their name, image, and likeness. For someone like Erin Matson—already a household name within her sport and a rising figure in the broader college athletics community—this opened up a whole new world of opportunity.
While field hockey doesn’t attract the same corporate attention as football or basketball, Matson’s status and story made her a valuable figure for niche sponsorships and university-aligned promotions. She began appearing in promotional materials for UNC, partnering with school-approved brands, and growing her social media following.
Though exact NIL figures are rarely public, student-athletes with her profile often command deals in the five-figure range annually, particularly if they have strong engagement on Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube. Matson’s clean image, leadership status, and record-breaking accomplishments likely made her a favorite for brands looking to associate with excellence and integrity.
Even small partnerships—local businesses, sports apparel companies, or athletic recovery brands—can generate meaningful income, especially when paired with appearances, interviews, or online content. Over the final two years of her playing career, her NIL earnings likely contributed an additional $50,000 to $100,000 to her financial portfolio.
Coaching Salary and Professional Growth
Erin Matson’s appointment as UNC’s head coach marked a historic milestone—not just in terms of age, but in career development. While her exact salary has not been disclosed, estimates for Division I field hockey head coaches at top-tier programs typically range from $100,000 to $200,000 annually, depending on experience and program success.
Given Matson’s unique profile as both a legendary former player and an instantly successful coach, she likely negotiated a competitive starting salary, bolstered by performance incentives. If her team continues winning national titles, she may receive bonuses tied to postseason success, conference performance, or national rankings.
In addition to her coaching salary, Matson may also earn income from running field hockey clinics, speaking engagements, or consulting with youth development programs. As one of the most visible women in the sport, she’s in a prime position to capitalize on the growing interest in girls’ sports and leadership.
It’s also worth noting that coaching at the college level often comes with benefits like housing stipends, travel budgets, and pension contributions—all of which add long-term value to her net worth.
Featured Image Source: mainlinetoday.com
