Teachers & Tiger King

Hey there,

Are you ready for the latest NIL news? In today’s newsletter, we’ve got updates from every corner of the NIL world. That means recruiting, deals, the legal realm, and more! All you’ve got to do is keep scrolling to read up on everything.

And one more thing: We think we’re pretty great, but we’re NOT perfect. Give us some feedback on anything and everything about our newsletter. Hit reply or send us an email at [email protected].

— Cole, Justin and Collin

HBCU Leaders Want Clarity

Commissioners from the four HBCU conferences released a letter this week calling on Congress to codify NIL at the national level. Citing the “patchwork” of state laws that currently exist, the commissioners expressed general confusion on what their students can and cannot do with NIL.

“We ask for your support in passing laws that, when necessary, pre-empt state law, to create clear and fair playing fields for HBCU student-athletes,” the letter said, “Such legislation will allow for consistent and nimble national governance with consumer protections.”

Because their athletics departments are not money-making machines, the letter also calls for a “special status” to make sure their student-athletes aren’t “designated as employees of their institutions.” That last part could be tricky though, as employee designation has become one of the most crucial questions in the college sports landscape. (More)

Recruiting in the age of NIL

Ohio State AD Gene Smith made waves last week when he claimed in a written testimony that recruits were asking for $5,000 just to make a campus visit in some instances. Many people felt as though his comments were exaggerated, but Penn State football coach James Franklin seemed to confirm his words this week.

“We’re all dealing with the same challenges and issues,” coach Franklin told reporters when asked about the comments, “most of us are all recruiting the same guys.”

Franklin’s words affirm basically every fear that NIL critics have had to date. As recruiting becomes even more money-driven, even the top-dogs in college football have found their hands tied in appeasing the financial demands of some prospects. (More)

Teacher’s Triumph

Stanford defensive back Terian Williams II has a knack for making a difference with his NIL partnerships. Last year around Christmas, he pooled together the money earned from thirty deals to give food, presents, and housing to ten families in his native state of Georgia. Now, he’s giving back to his community yet again through an agreement with Cheez-It.

Because of the company’s “Extra Yard for Teachers” campaign, Williams was able to gift his hometown’s school with $10,000. Better yet, the donation was placed in his favorite teacher, Jerry Hughes’ name. “I’m just in tears right now,” Hughes said as Williams broke the news to him, “It’s been one of the happiest moments of my life.” (More)

Academic Interest in NIL is Spiking

Now, it’s not news the talk is happening, although it will undoubtedly be fascinating. No, the news is how often we’re seeing this type of lecture happen nowadays. People don’t know what to think about NIL yet – legally, business-wise, and even morally – which has created a lot of academic interest in the landscape.

Because we’re still in the nascent stages of NIL, many people are still forming opinions around how it needs to be regulated (if at all). There’s no clear cut “left-right” political divide on the issue – at least not yet. (More)

School Spirit

The shoe company Hey Dude is beginning to market themselves to college fans, releasing school specific lines as football season kicks off. It seems like they’re going to be using NIL deals as part of their marketing strategy, too.

The brand recently announced partnerships with twelve athletes from eight schools to rep the shoes, a group headlined by Quinn Ewers. Ewers has been one of the top NIL players in the country in valuation, but has seen a massive falloff in recent weeks despite the Longhorns’ success. This deal, combined with another high-profile win like their ‘Bama beatdown, figures to elevate his profile back up into the top ranks. (More)

From the Bills to the Burgh

The University of Pittsburgh is bringing in the real deal to beef up their NIL game. They just hired Doug Whaley on as a senior advisor for Alliance 412, the school’s NIL collective. Whaley formerly served as an NFL General Manager for the Buffalo Bills, and now operates as the vice-president of player personnel for the XFL.

“I’m a competitive junkie, and I like a challenge,” Whaley said. He’ll operate as a sort of general manager for Pitt in the NIL space, it seems. Hopefully the college game is a bit more naturally suited for him – as GM of the Bills from 2013-2017, the team compiled an unimpressive 33-31 record with zero playoff wins to show for it. (More)

Take Me Home, Country Roads

While other schools have been fearful of how NIL might hurt their ability to stay competitive, West Virginia AD Wren Baker isn’t too worried. “I’m not one who is as much of a doomsday picture painter as some of my colleagues are when it comes to NIL,” he said.

Baker was also very praiseworthy of how WVU’s own NIL collective, Country Roads Trust, has handled NIL to this point, pushing back on the idea that NIL could be taken “in-house” in the near future. “Our resources are already stretched pretty thin (within the WVU athletic department),” he explained, “I think [Country Roads Trust’s] done a great job.” (More)

The New Tiger King

Thanks to NIL, Florida State QB Jordan Travis just made an unexpected enemy. After Travis stomped out the LSU Tigers to start out the year, he released shirts that featured him sitting on a throne above – you guessed it, Tigers. But it only got crazier from there.

Joe Exotic, famous for being featured in the Netflix docuseries “Tiger King” had some choice words for Travis in a tweet he sent this week. “Until Jordan Travis walks in a cage with 20 full grown tigers and kisses them on the head, leave the Tiger King business to me,” he said. The rest of his tweet is pretty unhinged, but you can read it here if you want. (More)

Dieunerst Collin

You may recognize Dieunerst Collin from somewhere, but you can’t quite put your finger on it. Let me jog your memory: Nearly ten years ago, a viral video made the rounds wherein he stood awkwardly in a Popeyes side-eying the camera. It was a simple meme that became synonymous with internet culture. Ten years later, it’s turned into an NIL opportunity.

Collin is now a sophomore lineman at Lake Eerie College, and Popeyes signed him to one of the most hilarious deals you’ll ever see, “From Memes to Dreams”. I guess being the butt of the joke pays off every now and then.

♦️ Notre Dame’s Sam Hartman becomes the first non-Indiana University athlete to sign with Homefield Apparel

♦️ North Carolina’s new bill could strip high school officials of NIL power

♦️ The NCAA thinks that NIL Class payments would favor men

♦️ Iowa brings Altius Sports personnel in to direct NIL efforts

♦️ UC Davis opens NIL Store

Todays Poll Question:

Last Edition’s Poll Results:

If you were the #1 football recruit in the country, where would you commit to maximize NIL opportunities?

• Alabama - 73%

• USC - 9%

• Texas - 6%

• Colorado - 3%

• Other - 9%