Hey there,

NIL has turned college sports into a business. From brand decisions in the transfer portal to Opendorse sponsoring a bowl game series, there’s lots to catch up on.

That’s where we come in. We’re here to provide you all the updates on the NIL world — from the business side, the legal dimensions, and so much more. Just keep scrolling to get caught up.

We think we’re pretty great, but we’re NOT perfect. We’d love to hear feedback on anything and everything about our newsletter. Hit reply or send us an email at [email protected].

— Cole, Justin and Collin

KICK-OFF

Coaches Cashing Checks Causing NIL Controversy

Of the top twenty highest paid coaches in US sports last year, seven coached at the college level – six in college football, and one in men’s college basketball. The list highlights how much money there is to be made through college sports in general.

With discussions about revenue sharing picking up steam, some coaches have even offered to forfeit part of their own salary to help pay student athletes. By the looks of it, they’d still be getting hefty paychecks.

Isaiah Bond LLC

Moments after Nick Saban retired as Alabama’s head football coach, wide receiver Isaiah Bond announced his intention to transfer, eventually picking Texas. He described his decision as “a business decision.”

“Just like the business world, you make the best decision for your company,” he said on Sunday, “My company right now is my draft stock. I feel like I’m putting myself in position to increase that and have better draft stock.” (More)

Green Plays, Green Pays

Arkansas-Pine Bluff women’s hoops superstar Zaay Green just signed an NIL deal with The Anthony Lawrence Collection, which specializes in HBCU apparel. The Baton Rouge based company has provided apparel for tons of HBCUs around the country.

The former five-star recruit started out at Tennessee before transferring to Texas A&M. Now at Arkansas-Pine Bluff, she’s in the midst of a career year, all while cashing in on a unique NIL oppurtunity. (More)

VIDEO OF THE WEEK

Joe Castiglione Shoots Straight on Rev. Sharing

Not sure about all of this “revenue sharing” talk? Well, you better get used to it. Oklahoma’s athletic director Joe Castiglione all but assured that it’s coming sooner rather than later. Check out this recording of him talking about the inevitability of revenue sharing in college sports.

DOWN TO BUSINESS

Opendorse Goes Bowling

Popular NIL service provider Opendorse just announced they’d be backing a Division III bowl game series in college football starting next year. The two-game series will take place at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.

The opportunity to host an event like this at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium – and provide Division III student-athletes a chance to play in such an incredible venue – will be great for our conferences, the sport, and all of Division III,” said Ohio Athletic Conference commissioner Sarah Otey.

She added that “While student-athletes have been able to benefit from the use of their name, image, and likeness for several years, Division III student-athletes are underrepresented in the NIL marketplace.” (More)

No Hoop For You!

Last month we told you about the ongoing legal saga between the NCAA and the Bewley brothers, who played in the Overtime Elite league – a semi-professional basketball league that’s supposed to prepare players for the NBA.

Well, now they want to play college basketball, despite the NCAA saying that they forfeited their amateurism status when they accepted $100K in compensation. The brothers are arguing they were not compensated for on-court labor, but rather the payments should be classified as NIL.

Their most recent injunction effort was shut down, which means their odds of playing college basketball are looking slimmer than ever. (More)

COLLECTIVE 101

Collectives Lobbying in D.C.

The Collective Association (TCA) is a trade association comprised of over thirty NIL collectives across the country. To this point, they’ve been more or less shut out of all legal discussions around NIL, which is why they’ve tapped lobbyists to get a foot in the door.

According to sports attorney Mit Winter, this new push shows TCA’s intention to “provide a counterbalance to the narrative about NIL/collectives being pushed in Congress by the NCAA and others … and be part of the conversation on a federal college athletics bill.” 

Much of the national NIL conversation – including the hearing that happened last October – centers around how NIL collectives are bad for NIL. (More)

Wake Forest’s Big Boost

Wake Forest just announced a $5M basketball donation from Mit Shah, CEO and founder of Noble Investment Group. Details about the gift have been hard to come by, but many believe that the money will be going toward NIL for the basketball team.

Shah has been a huge benefactor in the effort to revitalize Wake Forest’s status as a basketball powerhouse. He gave $12M to build a state-of-the-art basketball complex for the Demon Deacons not too long ago, so the program isn’t exactly starving for new facilities.

Wake Forest has, notably, struggled to attract top talent in the NIL era though. (More)

ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Brooklyn Williams

Brooklyn Williams, a track and field sensation hailing from Duncanville High School, is dominating her first Division 1 season at Texas A&M Commerce. Seizing the power of NIL deals, she secured partnerships with Move Insoles and KT Tape, paving the way for a dynamic collaboration with Slice Management.

From Defense Energy Drink to Wakati's natural hair care line, Brooklyn's story is not just about athletic success, but how a committed athlete can leverage their play for NIL wins off the court.

NIL BLITZ

♦️ SDSU is trying out NIL-fueled kombucha

♦️ Caitlin Clark NIL ad runs in Times Square

♦️ Opinion: Stop calling college athletes “kids” 

♦️ Former Duke AD calls NCAA “toxic”

♦️ Two Toledo women’s hoopers were surprised with new cars in NIL deal

♦️ Bobby Hurley prioritizing NIL at Arizona State

♦️ Chipotle CEO wants to help Miami basketball

BATTER UP

Todays Poll Question:

Last Edition’s Poll Results:

Will Alabama be a National Championship Contender next year under Kalen DeBoer?

• Yes - 61%

• No - 39%