By The Athletic CFB and CBB Staff
Jul 6, 2021
Collegiate athletes are now able to monetize their names, images and likeness without compromising their eligibility as of a July 1 interim NIL policy enacted by the NCAA. The interim policy serves as a stopgap until federal legislation is passed.
College athletes have been preparing for July 1 for months now, and the deals, endorsem*nts, business endeavors and more are free-flowing. Here’s a list of some of the biggest, wildest, quirkiest, most interesting deals we’re seeing.
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Kayvon Thibodeaux makes his mark with Phil Knight
I am honored to announce my first collaboration with two true pioneers: Phil Knight and Tinker Hatfield. (https://t.co/Cg5qsJF3Nd) pic.twitter.com/YhY88bHhmf
— kayvon thibodeaux (@kayvonT8) July 6, 2021
Reggie Bush and the return of the Heisman?
On the first day of NIL, Reggie Bush released a statement asking for the return of his Heisman Trophy. The Heisman Trust will restore it … if the NCAA reinstates Bush’s records.
My statement… pic.twitter.com/kbyqXgHncf
— Reggie Bush (@ReggieBush) July 1, 2021
EA Sports preps for big announcement
Said EA Sports: “Look, we’re not allowed to tell you much about this one yet, sorry. But we can say this Spotlight will highlight an extremely cool new addition to an extremely popular and long-running EA SPORTS franchise. We may have said too much already. Just keep your calendar free, OK?”
(Your calendar being July 20.)
NIL trailblazer is making moves
Jordan Bohannon is making a paid appearance Thursday at a fireworks store in Iowa. Fans can meet Bohannon, get an autograph, and enter a raffle to win memorabilia. Bohannon is also offering paid chat sessions with VIDSIG.
How sweet it is
Auburn quarterback Bo Nix has signed a deal with Milo’s Sweet Tea. Milo’s Sweet Tea is based in Bessemer, Ala., southwest of Birmingham.
The first wireless provider deal
Fresno State’s basketball twin powerhouse, Hanna and Haley Cavinder, will be sponsored by Boost Mobile. The Cavinders have more than 5 million followers combined across all of their social media platforms.
A belly rub for man’s best friend
Arkansas wide receiver Trey Knox is partnering with PetSmart. His pup Blue will be a happy, good boy.
Arby’s seeking RBs
We have a thing for RBs & we’ve been wanting to pay college RBs forever. If that’s you, email us: ArbysPublicRelations@InspireBrands.com pic.twitter.com/ua0eGxWKtC
— Arby's (@Arbys) July 2, 2021
It isn’t only about crisp dollar bills
Florida State QB McKenzie Milton is the first athlete to have an NFT (non-fungible token). Miami QB D’Eriq King plans to have an NFT by the end of July. Alabama’s GaQuincy McKinstry, a Class of 2021 signee who is enrolled on campus, will have one, too.
Kicking in on the action
What kind of endorsem*nt opportunities are out there for kickers? Michigan State’s Matthew Coghlin is giving us a look into his new world with this hilarious Tweet promoting a podcast about the Spartans.
This is a paid tweet to tell you to listen to the Locked On Spartans podcast. I've never listened to it, but I’m sure it’s not terrible.
— Matthew Coghlin (@MatthewCoghlin) July 1, 2021
Giving back
Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler announced he will donate part of his NIL earnings to underserved communities and people.
— Spencer Rattler (@SpencerRattler) July 1, 2021
Midnight madness
Miami quarterback D’Eriq King launched three initiatives as the clock struck midnight to cash in on his fame. He opened his own online merchandise shop that sells branded clothing and autographed memorabilia. He partnered with Florida State quarterback McKenzie Milton to co-found Dreamfield, a company that will help college athletes set up speaking appearances and autograph signings. And along with Canes safety Bubba Bolden, King signed a $20,000 deal to promote two-Tampa based companies on social media — College Hunks Haul Junk & Moving and Murphy Auto group. The 10-month contract included a $10,000 signing bonus.
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Grab your headsets…
Happy NIL Day. So far, a few headliners of #LSU players announcing deals.
-Derek Stingley Jr. with Walk-On's
-Myles Brennan with Smoothie King and Smalls Sliders
-Kayshon Boutte and Austin Deculus, among others, with Yoke Gaming pic.twitter.com/z8frMMExBA— Brody Miller (@BrodyAMiller) July 1, 2021
From LSU to Iowa, players are signing with Yoke Gaming, which allows people to play video games alongside athletes.
Rewards program
Nebraska-based restaurant chain Runza announced Wednesday a first-of-its kind athlete endorsem*nt program. It offered deals to the first 100 athletes in any sport attending any university in Nebraska to promote the Runza Rewards app to their followers on social media. Runza partnered with Opendorse, the sports technology company based in Lincoln, Neb., that has been at the forefront of facilitating the NIL era.
How much is that signature worth?
Some early prices for meet and greets and autograph signings with Dreamfield:
T-shirt partnerships
BreakingT announced a program where athletes can sign up and it’s passive income for them. Athletes are essentially giving the company permission to make a t-shirt, should they do something big.
An entrepreneurial player enlists teammates
Tennessee walk-on receiver Grant Frerking is working all sides of the NIL fence. He already owns a large, multi-million dollar landscaping company, as chronicled byThe Athletic. But he started another company that helps broker NIL deals and has paid at least two teammates to endorse his company. Tennessee receiver Velus Jones and quarterback Brian Maurer both published sponsored social media posts advertising Metro Straw, Frerking’s company, on Thursday.
For all of your ground cover needs , contact the best in the business ! @MetroStraw @GrantFrerking @gtfenterprises pic.twitter.com/n5D9vCnG5Z
— Brian Maurer (@maurerera_2) July 1, 2021
The athlete predicted to monetize them all
LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne, who has more than 1 million followers on Instagram, tops or is near the top of several lists of college athletes predicted to earn the most off of their NIL. Louisiana state’s NIL bill is awaiting the governor’s signature; once the bill has been signed, it will be effective immediately, but each school in the university system must adopt an implementation policy.
Want to read more on various NIL deals and endorsem*nts?
- The Athletic’s NIL FAQ
- Bruce Feldman talks to sources about how unenforceable some the NIL rules will be
Andy Staples on what NIL means for the booster-recruit relationship and more - Manny Navarro on D’Eriq King’s three deals
- Austin Meek on what Michigan’s policy means
(Top photo: Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)
