🏅 Oregon runs the NIL World right now

Teaming up with

Hey there,

It’s a busy edition today, so we want to get you right into it. Here’s a quick primer for you: A sprinter is suing Gatorade for his lost NIL earnings; Kansas State reportedly tried to poach Colorado State’s QB for $600K; Oregon is building the country’s premiere NIL program. All that, and more, is coming right up!

We want to hear from you. Yes, you! Send us feedback at [email protected] to let us know how we can make NIL Wire best for you. Now, to the news!

— Cole, Justin and Collin

KICK-OFF

Sprinter Sues Gatorade After Failed Drug Test

One of the world’s fastest teenagers is suing Gatorade for limiting his NIL earnings after a failed drug test. If that sentence seemed weird to you, it’s because this story is very weird.

About a year ago, track phenom Issam Asigna ran a 9.89 in the 100m – beating gold medal hopeful Noah Lyles in the process. A few weeks after Issam’s record-breaking performance, he tested positive for PEDs, which led to a suspension. 

Here’s where it gets weird. Issam is saying it’s Gatorade’s fault, arguing that the illegal substance GW1516 was in the gummies they gave him as part of an awards ceremony. Gatorade, of course, denies the whole thing. Whereas he could have been capitalizing on NIL deals and potentially heading to the Olympics, Asinga, is suspended from running… for now. (More)

CSU QB Rejected $600K to Enter Portal

Colorado State’s Jay Norvell has never been one to hold his tongue. That trend continued last week when he told the media that Kansas State tried to lure his starting QB into the portal for $600K.

“He said a guy from Kansas State called and offered him $600,000 because they lost their quarterback, offered him $600,000 if he entered the portal,” Norvell recalled from his conversation with QB Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi, “I’m not accusing Kansas State of anything, I’m just telling you what the kid told me.”

Coaches have been pretty vocal about NIL tampering over the past six months, but I’m not sure I’ve ever seen one mention an opposing school so directly. (More)

Opendorse Names New CEO

Opendorse, one of the most important service providers in the NIL space, just appointed a new CEO, Stephen Denton. Former CEO and co-founder Blake Lawrence will step into a new role as the company’s college sports president.

With years of experience running online marketplaces, Denton’s business edge complements Lawrence’s college sports expertise. In the meantime, Lawrence says he’ll be “doubling down” on the collegiate side of the business as college sports transitions into a new phase:

“Stephen’s impressive track record of scaling businesses and his expertise in network-based models make him the perfect leader for Opendorse at this stage,” Lawrence said of the new CEO, “The commercial side of Opendorse has uncapped potential.” (More)

Teaming up with

The N.I.L. Playbook, developed by NXT Level Holdings, is a comprehensive guide designed for college and high school student-athletes looking to learn more about their new opportunities.

The book is useful to coaches, administrators, parents, alumni and NIL industry pros to help navigate the rapidly evolving landscape in college and high school athletics.

The Playbook covers everything. Topics include: how to utilize social media to build your personal brand, how to seize potential N.I.L. partnerships, and what to look for in contracts — not to mention tons of other resources and strategies that student-athletes can use to enhance their profile and monetize their Name, Image and Likeness.

Check it out today!

WHAT’S TRENDING

Ups and Downs

• USC’s star running back is donating his EA sports NIL money to his high school linemen: “They helped protect and block for me in high school”📈

• Fourteen of the United States’ Olympic teams are entirely comprised of former or current NCAA athletes, with sports like volleyball, water polo, and 3x3 basketball represented📈

• Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel was able to outfit his entire team with new custom jewelry thanks to an NIL deal with the GLD Shop. How can the Ducks afford it? Read Collective 101 below to see the secret to Oregon’s success 📈

DOWN TO BUSINESS

“Infighting” is Holding Back House Settlement 🤦

We’ve been covering the potential outcomes of a House settlement for… a while now. Some reports say that we’re close to an agreement, but recent reports indicate that an agreement is being delayed due to “infighting” between the co-defendants – the NCAA and the conferences.

“The NCAA and the conferences have been extraordinarily slow, and we are really pushing them to speed this up,” said the plaintiff’s lawyer, Jeffrey Kessler,“They just have to get their act together or frankly we are going to go to the court.”

Considering how poorly the conferences got along with the NCAA before this billion-dollar lawsuit breathed down their back, Kessler’s assessment seems pretty reasonable. (More)

• Ohio State’s new AD was asked about selling Ohio Stadium’s naming rights to cover rev-share costs. His response? “Maybe.”

• Amidst potential budget cuts, Purude’s Athletic Director is worried about the rising costs of travel for athletes: “The addition of having to have the west coast trips has provided some additional expense.”

COLLECTIVE 101

Oregon is the Gold Standard in NIL

It was reported last week that Nike founder and Oregon Ducks superfan Phil Knight is supplying his alma mater with “unlimited” NIL funds. Knight, who is 86 years old, presumably wants to see a championship sooner rather than later.

While the money is certainly flowing, Oregon insider Justin Hopkins maintains that the NIL structure itself is what’s special about the school, not Phil Knight’s funding alone. 

“Oregon is not richer than these other schools,” Hopkins explained, “Oregon isn’t necessarily beating these guys out with NIL money…The structure is the key. The organization of Oregon’s NIL is the key. It’s put together in such a thoughtful way and there’s so many long-term benefits as to what Oregon presents on their NIL packages. (More)

• West Virginia head coach Neal Brown says that relationships are the key to fundraising for NIL. Knowing your donors’ goals lets you direct the funds where they want them to go.

• The rivalry lives on! Last weekend, the University of Wisconsin and Marquette held a celebrity softball matchup to raise NIL money.

ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Cooper Flagg

• School: Duke University 

• Position: Guard/Forward 

• Sport: Basketball 

• Class: Freshman

• Accolades: 

  • A five-star prospect out of Montverde Academy (Florida) and rated as the top player in the 2024 class by both 247Sports and ESPN - originally a member of the 2025 class before reclassifying.

  • Second Duke signee all-time with a 1.0000 rating from 247Sports, joining RJ Barrett.

  • Named the Gatorade National Player of the Year, Naismith Player of the Year, and McDonald's All-American as a senior.

• NIL: Cooper has signed with CAA for NIL representation. This makes him the #1 NIL-ranked player in college basketball, boasting a $1.4 million NIL valuation.

NIL BLITZ

♦️ Florida State’s DJ Uiagalelei chills out with a polar pop in his newest NIL deal with Circle K

♦️ Alabama QB Jalen Milroe signs an NIL deal with Improbable Media

♦️ Washington State’s collective releases NIL-powered beer

♦️ Women’s sports merchandise is a $4 billion market, and manufacturers can’t keep up with the demand

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BATTER UP

Today’s Poll Question:

Last Edition’s Poll Results:

Has college sports entered its “player empowerment” era?

• Yes, NIL/Transfer portal changes have given the power to the players - 66%

• No, the schools and coaches are still calling the shots here - 33%