As of July 1, a groundbreaking NCAA interim policy allows student-athletes to monetize their name, image and likeness (NIL) without jeopardizing their eligibility, changing the makeup of college sports forever.
It means student-athletes can now profit through avenues like brand endorsements, public appearances, social media posts, autograph signings, running camps, etc.
There are some restrictions. For instance, student-athletes are not allowed to be compensated for athletic achievement (such as being paid per touchdown catch or goal scored) or receive money to attend a certain institution. (However, you can bet schools will pitch their ability to market their athletes during the recruitment process.)
Some schools and states, such as Texas, forbid student-athletes from entering agreements with brands that are associated with alcohol, gambling, tobacco, etc. (If you’re a BYU student-athlete, you can’t even endorse a coffee brand!)
In October, the University of Arizona introduced the Arizona Edge program, which, in conjunction with the UA’s Eller College School of Management, will “focus on personal brand management, business development, financial literacy, networking as well as aspects of Business law to optimize the decision-making process and enhance NIL opportunities.”
Arizona also has a partnership with INFLCR, a platform/app that, among other things, gives student-athletes how-to and best practice videos, connects them with monetization opportunities and gives them tools to auto-report and self-report transactions.
Here’s the company’s introductory video if you want a closer look as to how that works:
With Arizona Athletics being by far the biggest sports attraction in Tucson, whose metropolitan area is home to more than one million people, there will certainly be opportunities for UA student-athletes to cash in.
Folks on Twitter have already pitched ideas for local businesses to sponsor UA athletes, such as Eegee’s naming one of its ices “Dalen Terry Berry” or Baja Café calling one of its breakfast dishes “Eggs Bennedict Mathurin” (though it’s worth noting that international student-athletes like Mathurin cannot benefit from NIL while in the US due to their visa status as students.)
in that case somebody tell @eegees to get in contact with me ! https://t.co/GG4M4hGj1D
— 4 (@DalenTerry) July 1, 2021
As Arizona athletes announce their new NIL agreements, we will post some of them here.
Excited to team up with Gopuff. They deliver daily essentials in minutes! Get $25 when you sign up. #GopuffPartner https://t.co/Hyu6VmMy7p pic.twitter.com/CVuE1hyHzY
— Stacey Marshall Jr (@_smj87) July 1, 2021
If you’re in Arizona and need a mortgage call my man Andy Braun at Fairway Mortgage! ✅
— ™ (@Jamaryejoiner) July 1, 2021
520-495-8989
If your in Arizona and need a mortgage call my guy Andy Braun at Fairway Mortgage 520-495-8989!!! @AndyBraun520
— Stanley Berryhill III (@stanb14_sb) July 2, 2021
Check out my Cameo profile: https://t.co/lKGNa0VgyK
— 4 (@DalenTerry) July 2, 2021
Pumped to announce I have partnered with @BreakingT for my first NIL opportunity. I will be donating half of my earnings to pediatric cancer initiatives. Get your shirt on BreakingT at https://t.co/lvx2Rgty8X pic.twitter.com/gFT212tJo0
— Tyler Casagrande (@tcasa13) July 6, 2021
Get this guy a lifetime worth of knee braces!
— Chris Cognitore REALTOR® C21~Van Treese Home Group (@ChrisCognitore) July 7, 2021
I’m very happy to announce my OFFICIAL Brand & Apparel is NOW LIVE! Link in bio ! @boosted_biz + @playbookedapp have changed the game for college and pro athletes to monetize their likeness! Shoutout the team @russyjayslay @spacecouupe @tinamorcos for making it happen. TAP IN pic.twitter.com/ALdPP3r4OE
— Justin Kier (@Jkiiiiii__) July 8, 2021