Big Ten and SEC setting up advisory committee to deal with changing college landscape

Who said the Big Ten and SEC can’t get along?

The two superpowers in the world of college athletics are joining forces. In a joint press release on Friday, the Big Ten and SEC announced the formation of an advisory board to get in front of the ever-changing landscape of college athletics.

With all of the changes that we’ve seen over the last few years, and with the NCAA’s struggles with overseeing it all, college athletics two most powerful conference have decided to try and tackle the issue themselves. From court cases, to name, image and likeness, there’s a lot that has, and probably will, continue to change.

“The Big Ten and the SEC have substantial investment in the NCAA and there is no question that the voices of our two conferences are integral to governance and other reform efforts,” Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti said. “We recognize the similarity in our circumstances, as well as the urgency to address the common challenges we face.”

The advisory group will be made up of university presidents, chancellors, and athletic directors. it could engage with other constituencies as necessary, including consultation with student-athletes and other key leadership groups from within both conferences according to the release.

“There are similar cultural and social impacts on our student-athletes, our institutions, and our communities because of the new collegiate athletics environment,” said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey in a statement. “We do not have predetermined answers to the myriad questions facing us. We do not expect to agree on everything but enhancing interaction between our conferences will help to focus efforts on common sense solutions.”

The advisory group does not have the ability to act independently and will only serve in a consulting body. The makeup and timing of the committee is still to be determined.

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.

Rhule says ‘some people weren’t happy with me’ about NIL comments

Rhule says ‘some people weren’t happy with me’ about NIL comments

Matt Rhule continues to make headlines while discussing the future of name, image and likeness practices and rules in college football. Earlier this month, the Huskers’ head coach trended on social media after addressing the cost of a starting quarterback in the transfer portal.

“Make no mistake: a good quarterback in the portal costs $1 million to $1.5 million to $2 million right now. So, just so we’re on the same page, right? Let’s make sure we all understand what’s happening. There are some teams that have six or seven $1 million players playing for them.”

When discussing Rhule’s recent comments, Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck agreed with the comment but stated his team would not spend that kind of money.

“That’s a true statement. That’s not necessarily what and how we do it. I’ve heard those same things, but those aren’t coming out of our camp. He’s (Rhule) not talking about us, I’ll put it that way.”

While appearing on the “Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday afternoon, Rhule said some coaches weren’t so happy with his comments.

“I’ll tell you some people were not happy with me. I’ve had some other college coaches kinda get on me a said ‘Matt, you reset the market.’ But I do think that it’s important that people know. I went to the NFL. I’m going to say what I think is right. At the end of the day, there are no contracts.”

That wasn’t all Rhule discussed with McAfee. You can find more highlights from his interview below.

Big Ten coach agrees with Matt Rhule on NIL

A Big Ten head coach has come out in agreement with Nebraska coach Matt Rhule’s recent comments on name, image and likeness.

A Big Ten head coach has come out in agreement with Nebraska coach Matt Rhule’s recent comments on name, image and likeness money for top recruits.

Rhule was asked about the Huskers’ use of NIL and whether the team would aggressively recruit a quarterback to the roster for 2024.

“Make no mistake: A good quarterback in the portal costs $1 million to $1.5 million to $2 million right now. So, just so we’re on the same page, right? Let’s make sure we all understand what’s happening. There are some teams that have six or seven $1 million players playing for them.”

When discussing Rhule’s recent comments, Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck agreed with the comment but stated his team would not be spending that kind of money.

“That’s a true statement. That’s not necessarily what and how we do it. I’ve heard those same things, but those aren’t coming out of our camp. He’s (Rhule) not talking about us, I’ll put it that way.”

It’s clear Rhule is not alone in his recent assessment of name, image and likeness costs. You wonder how long it will take before we see sweeping regulations regarding the changing landscape of college football.

Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.

Ohio State quarterback Lincoln Kienholz had a very exciting past few days

The Buckeye backup is having himself a week! #GoBucks

It’s a right of passage for [autotag]Ohio State football[/autotag] players to have their black stripe removed and to officially become a member of the program.

It may have taken freshman quarterback [autotag]Lincoln Kienholz[/autotag] a bit longer than some of his teammates to lose his stipe, but it happened on Thursday afternoon. The former 4-star prospect who was named theUSA TODAY national high school athlete of the year, not just for football, as he was a star on the baseball diamond and basketball court as well.

Although we won’t see Kienholz much this fall, the future is bright for the young man, who could be in the mix for the starting spot next year depending on player movement.

That was Kienholz’s Thursday, and on Friday he got the cherry on top. A Name, image and likeness deal with [autotag]Byers Audi of Columbus[/autotag] got the Buckeye quarterback a nice new Audi Q5 to ride around campus.

Not his first NIL deal, Kienholz also signed with [autotag]Tommy John[/autotag] clothing line. It literally pays to be an Ohio State quarterback, even the backups.

Contact/Follow @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion. Follow Michael Chen on X.

Watch: Multiple Ohio State football players star in commercial for Chipotle

I’d do it for free burritos too #GoBucks

Now that Name, image and likeness has had a bit of time for companies to figure out which schools to invest with, a match made in heaven for several [autotag]Ohio State football[/autotag] players and [autotag]Chipotle[/autotag] has happened.

I, like many Buckeye students, have fond memories of getting Chipotle on High Street, my friends and I waited in line for over two hours on their opening day to get free burritos. A few Buckeye players have linked up with the chain restaurant to make a commercial.

[autotag]Marvin Harrison Jr.[/autotag], [autotag]TreVeyon Henderson[/autotag], [autotag]Miyan Williams[/autotag], [autotag]Tommy Eichenberg[/autotag] and a few of their teammates starred in an ad for Chipotle, which you can see below.

Not gonna lie, I’m kind of jealous of this deal, as it would be nice to get a few more burritos on the house. Congrats to these Buckeyes on their NIL deal with Chipotle.

Contact/Follow @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion. Follow Michael Chen on X.

Sooners enhance NIL efforts with creation of Athlete Services Division

The Oklahoma Sooners Athletic Department announced the launch of the Athlete Service Division to enhance their NIL initiatives.

In the ever-evolving landscape of Name, Image, and Likeness, it’s important for teams to stay ahead of the game. Over the last few years, the Oklahoma Sooners have worked to catch up and then establish their presence as a power on the name, image, and likeness front.

In an effort to get ahead of the game, the Sooners launched a new initiative, the Athlete Services Division at the University of Oklahoma.

The division strengthens Oklahoma’s already existing efforts to support students in enhancing their opportunities through name, image, and likeness. In partnership with Altius Sports Partners, the OU Athlete Services Division hopes to support student-athletes through a team approach that will combine Altius’ expertise on the national level with Oklahoma’s student-first approach.

“At OU, our student-athletes come first,” said OU Vice President and Director of Athletics Joe Castiglione via SoonerSports.com. “Our new Athlete Services Division builds upon our NIL program, taking us beyond merely supporting our student-athletes in their pursuit to benefit from their own NIL to a state where they have access to comprehensive educational services and resources. OU Athletics is the flagship brand to drive distinct value for student-athletes. By creating the opportunity for them to pair their personal brand with the power of OU’s legacy, we pave the way to lifelong success. The Athlete Services Division will fortify us in our efforts to do just that, while also continuing to position OU as a trailblazer in all of college athletics.”

Dating back to the 1980s, when Oklahoma petitioned to own its broadcast rights, the University of Oklahoma has been at the forefront of innovation.

“Through this new division, we stay committed to remaining agile in the ever-evolving collegiate sports landscape,” he said. “We are fully prepared to expand and adapt as necessary so we can best serve our student-athletes.”

“OU’s dedication to serving athletes in every facet of their collegiate journey is truly inspiring,” said CEO and Founding Partner of Altius Sports Partners, Casey Schwab. “OU has always been highly invested in NIL support, and the ASD is the natural next step to best position OU student-athletes for success. This transcends NIL; it’s about providing comprehensive and personalized support to all Sooner athletes as they pursue opportunities during their OU career and prepare for life beyond collegiate athletics. We are honored to be part of establishing this new gold standard, driven by OU’s foresight and innovative spirit.”

As the Oklahoma Sooners look to gain an edge on the competition, the Athlete Services Division will help them take another step in providing opportunities for their student-athletes.

As the Sooners look to recruit against the best in the country, furthering their efforts in name, image, and likeness will only help.

From the University of Oklahoma

OU Athletics Athlete Services Division

  • A Team Approach: Departmental unit of multiple experienced professionals dedicated to supporting athletes and identifying how to diversify and optimize athlete revenue opportunities
  • Specialization: Targeted roles focused on overall strategic alignment, athlete education and support, and athlete revenue optimization
  • Adaptability: Designed to expand and adapt as necessary to effectively serve the evolving needs of student-athletes amidst an ever-changing collegiate sports landscape
  • Combined Forces: Altius’ national perspective combined with the local expertise of OU’s staff provides for an informed and centralized strategy to position student-athletes for success

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on Twitter @john9williams.

Ohio State football’s third-string quarterback, Lincoln Kienholz, sign’s NIL deal

The third-stringer getting NIL deals?!? It really does pay to be an Ohio State quarterback #GoBucks

It pays to be an [autotag]Ohio State football[/autotag] quarterback and true freshman [autotag]Lincoln Kienholz[/autotag] is a prime example.

The USA TODAY high school athlete of the year has yet to play a down for the Buckeyes, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t marketable to businesses. One of those would be [autotag]Tommy John[/autotag], who jump started a relationship with Kienholz in a name, image and likeness deal that was announced on Wednesday.

The Buckeye quarterback was made one of their spokespeople after Tommy John mentioned to On3’s Pete Nakos that “Lincoln’s embodiment of hard work, determination, and the pursuit of greatness aligns perfectly with the values we celebrate.”

You have to expect this is the first of many NIL deals Kienholz will gain as a member of the Ohio State football team. Congrats, Lincoln!

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

[affiliatewidget_smgtolocal]

Contact/Follow @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion. Follow Michael Chen on X.

Ohio State receiver signs name, image and likeness deal resulting in billboard at Easton

You know you’ve arrived when you have a real, live billboard of your self around town. #GoBucks

We’ve another name, image and likeness deal to report for one of the stars of the Ohio State football program. Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka has reportedly signed a deal with Amazon Style.

We don’t know what exactly comes with that, but we’re guessing some discounted or free clothes. One thing we know is a part of the deal is a rather large, well-positioned billboard with Emeka’s … wait for it … image and likeness over the store at everyone’s favorite hangout spot in Central Ohio, Easton.

There has been an awful lot of effort put into restructuring and improving the name, image and likeness opportunities through the various collectives associated with Ohio State, and because of it, we’re seeing more and more athletes entering into arrangements in and around the community.

Look for this billboard next time you visit Easton, and get a preview by means of the below post shared to X (formerly Twitter).

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

[affiliatewidget_smgtolocal]

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on Twitter.

 

Marvin Harrison Jr. lands another ‘sweet’ NIL deal

Marvin Harrison Jr. continues to use NIL to his advantage. #GoBucks

Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. broke out on the football field in 2022. As a result of his stellar play on the field, he’s now producing off of it as well. Harrison has had a plethora of endorsement deals coming in 2023, and now the OSU receiver can add another “sweet” deal to the list.

Cincinnati-based Grippo’s has released a Hot Honey BBQ flavor potato chip based on Harrison’s sweet and savory play. Harrison announced the partnership with the chip company on his personal X (formerly Twitter) account.

Grippo’s brand is sold in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. However, Harrison also announced that the Hot Honey BBQ with his face on the bag will only be sold in the Ohio region. The product should be available for sale in local stores soon.

If the flavor is as good as Harrison’s play on the field, this might become a new fan favorite and a must at Buckeye tailgates and pregame parties.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion.

Marvin Harrison Jr. enters unique NIL deal that makes sense

This NIL deal makes a lot of sense. #GoBucks

Of all the current Ohio State football players, the one that is perhaps the most marketable when it comes to name, image and likeness is all-everything receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.

Not only is the talented, third-year player the son of a Hall-of-Famer, but he’s also one of the most recognized and flashy players in all of college football. Heck, last season he made almost too many highlight-worthy catches to keep track of. He was also seen wearing an Apple Watch and Louis Vitton cleats at one point during the season in 2022.

Just recently, Harrison Jr. partnered with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson on deal with his energy drink, and now there’s another opportunity the college football’s best receiver has entered in according to an announcement on his Twitter page.

Yes, it appears as though Harrison Jr. has a name, image and likeness deal with Dr. Teal’s Epsom salt. It is reportedly good for the entire season, but we’re details of the valuation was not immediately known.

I mean, it makes sense for a star football player to do a deal with Epsom salt. After all, we’re sure Harrison Jr. and his teammates pour this stuff in by the gallons after game days with all the bumps and bruises that comes from a big-time college football game and season.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on Twitter.