Earlier this summer, Notre Dame defensive end [autotag]Rylie Mills[/autotag] was one of three university athletes to sign NIL deals with the Chicago White Sox. As part of the deal, Mills and the others were allowed to throw out the first pitch before a game. Mills’ time came Sunday before the White Sox faced the Pittsburgh Pirates in the last game before the MLB All-Star break:
CHISOX Athlete, Rylie Mills, joined us this afternoon for a ceremonial first pitch! pic.twitter.com/5BVxtkFjA1
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) July 14, 2024
Mills grew up in nearby Lake Bluff, Illinois, so it makes sense that he would sign a NIL deal with a local professional team. However, his presence at Guaranteed Rate Field was not enough for the White Sox on this day as they suffered a 9-4 loss, their record 71st defeat before the All-Star break.
While Mills surely is getting some decent money from the White Sox, it’s unfortunate that he signed this deal at a time when the team is historically bad. Alas, you must go where the money leads you in this NIL era.
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