Who got the first College NIL deal?
Who got the first College NIL deal?
By Jason Bolton January 26, 2023 11:40
If you follow college sports, the acronym NIL stands for Name, Image, and Likeness. Over the last few years, several NLI states have taken up legislation allowing student-athletes (basically all students whose participation in any athletic program is tied to their rights under its Rules changes while they are enrolled) to make money off of their own NIL by endorsing products and getting paid for work done related to those activities.
The new opportunity was quickly seized, and several high school athletes and the first college athlete, Oregon football player Kayvon Thibodeaux, participated in the lunch. Thibodeaux inked a five-year sponsorship agreement with Adidas on April 20, 2021. The deal, worth up to $1 million certainly makes a splash as the first college NIL agreement in NCAA history.
The post-deal promises Thibodeaux will be present at many of the brand's events, if applicable, including appearances and signing autographs. The Adidas contract also features a "Tayvone" graphic tee collection and logo placement online and via social channels.
Thibodeaux is hardly the only player to cash in on deals since NIL passed, including a massive deal with Adidas. Additionally, he has starred in a commercial for the Amazon Alexa voice assistant and promoted numerous brands like Gatorade. On top of a recent Oregon Ducks brand ambassador deal,
The University of Oregon undoubtedly must be patting itself on the back with such a high-profile athlete and eager to see what else comes from its newly implemented NIL rule for its players. The rule is good for student-athletes but also allows schools to earn more money and market their athletes.
The Kayvon Thibodeaux NIL deal is a watershed moment for college athletics and symbolic of the future ahead. That is a huge win for kids and universities and an asset to the UO athletic program. It might be a while before other athletes sign deals like this, but it is a start, and with any luck, many more NIL opportunities will follow.
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