🏅 Caleb Williams is a good guy.

Teaming up with

Hey there,

Deals, deals, and more deals. This edition is packed with NIL agreements from basketball players, football legends, and Olympic hopefuls. Keep scrolling to catch up on all of the week’s NIL news!

Also — you may notice our newsletter look a bit different over the next few weeks. We’re working some things around because we’ve got something BIG coming up in the next few weeks. Keep an eye out. 👀

If you have any ideas on how we can make NIL Wire better, let us know by emailing [email protected]. Now, let’s take you to the news!

— Cole, Justin and Collin

KICK-OFF

Gonzaga Hooper Uses NIL for Shopping Spree

Gonzaga star Ben Gregg is effectively leveraging his brand, but the money isn’t going into his pocket. His newest NIL venture is raising money for kids in the foster system to get a back-to-school shopping spree.   

“I did the same thing last year and some of the stories they had and what they’d been through growing up, it is just nothing any kid should have to go through,” said Gregg, who said he wanted the kids to feel like “rockstars for the day.”

This is nothing new for Ben Gregg, either. According to Gonzaga writer Cole Forsman, “With every NIL deal he’s signed a form of community service has followed.” (More)

Caleb Williams… Not a Bad Guy?

Caleb Williams was a polarizing figure throughout college. Just about everyone seemed to have a problem with him– whether it be transferring to USC with Lincoln Riley or crying after an emotional loss, his actions always turned into debatable national media headlines. Well, except this one.

When approached with a potentially million-dollar NIL opportunity, Williams turned down a sponsorship spot, instead insisting that the company offer it to his offensive lineman. That’s exactly what happened, which produced this epic commercial:

Not too shabby for a guy with a laundry list of “red flags”. (More)

SEC Coaches Spill on Football Budgets

The SEC held football media days in Dallas last week, which gave us tidbits about how the conference is planning for the future. I was specifically intrigued by how schools were handling the prospect of rev-sharing and their potential budgets.

Speaking about his expected football budget this year, LSU Brian Kelly told reporters that he’d be handling anywhere from $14-17 million. When asked how many schools can afford such a budget, Kelly responded with a grin: “Everyone in the SEC.”

“Do the math,” said Florida’s Billy Napier, “We’re talking $20 million (in allotted revenue sharing). In most athletic departments, football is 70-75% of the revenue. That’s $12.5-15 million. That’s the number we anticipate.” (More)

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DOWN TO BUSINESS

Florida Swimmer Reps Hometown NIL Deal

University of Florida swimmer Emma Weyant will be representing the United States at the 2024 Olympics later this summer, competing in the 400m individual medley – the event she medaled in during the Tokyo Olympics a few years ago. 

However, she couldn’t jet off to Paris without showing some love to her hometown of Sarasota. Weyant partnered with Visit Sarasota County to offer a NIL deal to entice vacationers to the area.

With Emma heading to the Olympics, the county’s investment hopes to reach past the US borders. The agreement could pay off big time if she can medal again – or even take home gold. (More)

• The Plaintiff’s lawyer in the House case is expecting the long-form House settlement to be filled with the court this week. We’ll see if that actually happens.  

COLLECTIVE 101

Could Collective Fines = Legal Trouble?

Last week, we told you about Georgia’s NIL collective fining its players for traffic violations. It turns out that the Bulldogs aren’t the only ones levying such fines – collectives around the country are restricting payments for similar reasons. According to Mit Winter, however, they could find themselves in legal trouble for doing so. 

“Doing something like this could cross the line into the athletes being considered employees of the collective,” Winter explained, “Since the collective is controlling their behavior.” (More)

• Dabo Swinney insists that NIL is important, but fit matters more. He recently said, “If NIL is THE factor, we’re probably not going to get them.”

ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Bryce Underwood

• School: LSU

• Position: Quarterback

• Sport: Football 

• Class: 2025 LSU Commit 

• Accolades: 

  • Gatorade Michigan Player of the Year

  • Led Belleville to a 13-1 record

  • Third-straight appearance in the Michigan Division 1 Championship

  • Completed 179 of 276 passes (64.8%) for 3,329 yards

• NIL: Currently, Bryce Underwood holds the highest NIL valuation among high school athletes, sitting at #11 nationally with a $1.3 million valuation. 

NIL BLITZ

♦️ UNT united together around their collective to retain their top basketball players

♦️ Alabama QB Ty Simpson inks a partnership with a local automotive seller

♦️ Florida State’s superstar golfer signs an NIL deal with the school’s collective

♦️ Houston Christian is unrelenting in their criticism of the NCAA… and it makes a lot of sense

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BATTER UP

Today’s Poll Question:

Last Edition’s Poll Results:

Will we see NIL/Cannabis partnerships in the next year?

• Yes - 43%

• No - 57%