Portnoy Pledges NIL to get Michigan a QB

Hey there,

We’ve got a lot to catch up on. Everyone’s favorite sports media personality just pledged millions to get his team a top ten QB every single year using NIL. Reggie Bush is officially suing his former team, conference, and the NCAA for profiting off of his likeness during the mid-2000s. Oh, and two of college basketball’s newest rivals are set to make six-figures in an NIL-fueled matchup this Fall. It’s all coming up right now.

Do you follow us on Instagram? If not, click that link and stay updated with NIL news over there, where we’re publishing great video content daily. Now let’s go to the news!

— Cole, Justin and Collin

The Big 3

Portnoy Pledges to Pony Up

Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports, just said that he’d pay up to $3 million in NIL to get his alma mater Michigan a top ten quarterback every year. Here’s the whole conversation, which he had on a podcast with other Barstool employees:

“Michigan, I will be your quarterback guy,” he said, “I will sign them, one million, two million whatever it is… three million… I can get a quarterback. We don’t have a quarterback…. I’m going to get us a top ten quarterback in the portal coming out every year.”

He’s often clowning around, but Portnoy seemed serious about this sentiment. With Barstool’s extensive network of podcasts and promotional opportunities, the QB would do a few podcast appearances a week, which Portnoy used as reasoning for it not being pay-for-play. (More)

Reggie Bush Sues for NIL Compensation from USC Days

Last week we learned that Reggie Bush is suing the NCAA, the Pac-12 conference, and his alma mater USC for NIL compensation during his career in the mid-2000s. This lawsuit is different from the defamation lawsuit he’s been fighting since 2023.

Here’s the basic argument: Bush’s NIL led to massive profits, which he saw none of. The NCAA, Pac-12, and USC got richer as a direct result of Bush’s talent, yet Bush himself got nothing. 

“This case is not just about seeking justice for Reggie Bush,” Bush’s lawyer said, “It's about setting a precedent for the fair treatment of all college athletes. Our goal is to rectify this injustice and pave the way for a system where athletes are rightfully recognized, compensated and treated fairly or their contributions.” (More)

Baylor & Gonzaga Announce NIL-Backed Matchup

Baylor and Gonzaga – two schools whose recent basketball success have made them rivals – announced they’ll be playing in an NIL-laced faceoff on November 4^th. The matchup will raise six-figure NIL paychecks for each school. 

The teams will play at a not-so-neutral neutral site – Spokane Arena, in downtown Spokane Washington. Locations like Las Vegas and even Mexico were pitched, but ultimately, they settled on a location ten minutes from Gonzaga’s campus.

Both teams are ranked in the preseason top ten, and both have national title aspirations this season. Baylor beat the Zags in their last two matchups — including an 86-70 routing in the 2021 National Championship game. (More)

ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT

Ollie Gordon

• School: Oklahoma State University  

• Position: Running back 

• Sport: Football 

• Class: Junior

• Accolades: 

• Doak Walker Award 

• Named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year

• Rushed for over 1,700 yards.

• NIL: Heading into his Junior year at OSU Ollie has already landed NIL deals with Mcdonalds, EA Sports, and Pokes with a purpose. 

nil_wire

View more on Instagram

NIL BLITZ

♦️ Adrian Wojnarowski is “blown away” by national sponsors who want to support St. Bonaventure’s NIL program

♦️ Here’s how Alaskan universities are trying to keep up with college athletics and NIL

♦️ Penn State receives a $60 million gift to renovate their stadium

♦️ Dartmouth is challenging the NLRB’s complaint in the men’s basketball employment case 

♦️ The NCAA has released a statement on the UNLV drama 

♦️ Could the Matthew Sluka saga push the question of student-athlete employment forward?

♦️ Iowa Pork Producers strike an NIL deal with four Iowa State basketball players

Share NIL Wire

Have a friend or colleague who would enjoy NIL Wire? Share with them today!

You currently have 0 referrals.

BATTER UP

Today’s Poll Question:

Last Edition’s Poll Results:

Who’s to blame most in the UNLV NIL situation?

• Matthew Sluka - 26%

• UNLV - 29%

• Lacking NIL Rules - 45%