Tag: NIL

Jack Gohlke’s NIL deal with TurboTax is even more perfect than you thought

Jack Gohlke has been prepping for this endorsement for years

Jack Gohlke is getting the full March Madness treatment after his star performance in No. 14 Oakland’s upset of No. 3 Kentucky featured 10 3-pointers.

In the NIL era, that means he’s already getting endorsement deals and filming commercials at the team hotel in between practice, media appearances and prep for Saturday’s second round game against No. 11 NC State.

Up first is a deal with TurboTax, which makes complete sense since we’re in the middle of tax filing season. Gohlke filmed an admittedly low-budget, but high-comedy ad in what looks like the team hotel ballroom.

But there’s one simple reason his TurboTax deal is even more perfect than it looks on first glance: Gohlke already has his degree in accounting.

Good for Gohlke getting his money — and even better that he can figure out all the tax implications himself without having to ask his new sponsor for help.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

LSU women’s basketball star freshman Mikaylah Williams lands Jordan NIL deal

Mikaylah Williams hasn’t built the same NIL profile as Angel Reese and Flau’Jae Johnson, but the SEC Freshman of the Year is well on her way.

As a true freshman, [autotag]Mikaylah Williams[/autotag] hasn’t quite built the NIL profile of her teammates [autotag]Angel Reese[/autotag] and [autotag]Flau’Jae Johnson[/autotag]. But the LSU guard and SEC Freshman of the Year is well on her way.

Williams has now signed an NIL deal with Jordan Brand, becoming just the third amateur women’s basketball player to do so.

“Signing with Jordan Brand allows me to inspire young girls and contribute to the growth of women’s basketball,” Williams said in a statement, according to On3’s Pete Nakos.

The No. 1 recruit in the nation in the 2023 class, Williams has been a major contributor for the Tigers this season, averaging 14.4 points and 4.8 rebounds. She also set a program scoring record with 42 points in a game against Kent State earlier this year.

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

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

Angel Reese signs NIL deal with Goldman Sachs for advocacy campaign

Angel Reese continues to use her NIL platform to make a difference.

[autotag]Angel Reese[/autotag] has certainly had quite an impact both on and off the court during her time at LSU.

The reigning SEC Player of the Year is also one of the highest-valued athletes in the nation when it comes to NIL, and she’s already inked a number of deals with high-profile brands.

She has also used her platform to give back, however, particularly in her hometown of Baltimore. Now, she’s partnering with Goldman Sachs as part of the advocacy campaign “One Million Black Women,” which amplifies the voices of Black women to policymakers in Washington, D.C.

In the ad, Reese appears alongside her mother.

“I owe so much to my mom,” Reese said, per On3’s Pete Nakos. “She instilled in me my confidence, work ethic and my commitment to my community. It’s clear that from her generation to today, Black women are still facing challenges. But I believe change is possible. I’m proud to be teaming up with Goldman Sachs One Million Black Women to make sure the voices of Black women in my community and across the country are heard.”

Reese, who also has deals with the likes of Raising Cane’s and Caktus AI, is ranked No. 8 in On3’s NIL100 and ranks second among women’s college basketball players behind Caitlin Clark.

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

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

LSU’s Hailey Van Lith to appear in Adidas March Madness commercial

Hailey Van Lith continues to expand her NIL profile.

LSU continues to find itself at the epicenter of NIL in college sports, and women’s basketball guard [autotag]Hailey Van Lith[/autotag] has landed an exciting opportunity.

Van Lith, who is partnered with Adidas and is one of the first athletes the brand signed after the advent of NIL, will appear in its commercial for March Madness, which is set to “Under Pressure” by Queen.

“As athletes navigate high-stake sport moments throughout their careers, it can be difficult to cope with the weight of expectations. Our focus is helping these athletes re-capture the joy they have playing sports,” Adidas Senior Vice President of Brand Marketing Chris Murphy said, according to Sports Ilustrated.

“In partnership with Hailey Van Lith, we’re inspiring the next generation of athletes, and helping them get back to why they started playing sports in the first place – to have fun.”

Van Lith is a transfer addition from Louisville who has played a major role in LSU’s success this season, leading it back to the NCAA Tournament as a No. 3 seed.

“Throughout my journey with the sport, I never shied away from a challenge and that’s made me the competitor I am today,” Van Lith said. “Putting yourself in situations where you’re tested and proving that you can overcome internal or external pressure gives you confidence to play freely and lean into those competitive moments, like championship tournaments, with eagerness rather than fear. It’s critical to remind yourself that you’ve navigated pressure before and just focus on being the player and teammate you know you can be.”

LSU’s women’s basketball team has been the subject of quite a few big-time NIL deals, and you can add Van Lith’s commercial to that growing list.

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

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

Rutgers fans unlock another important level to the NIL fundraiser by the Knights of the Raritan collective

The Knights of the Raritan give an important NIL update.

The Knights of the Raritan have been successful over the past month in their most recent fundraising initiative. A second round of fundraising was completed which raised an additional $25,000 for student-athletes.

The Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) collective is the most visible extension of Rutgers in this collective space. The Knights of the Raritan (KTR), while not operated by the university or the athletic department, serve an important role for the future of Rutgers athletics in the ever-changing world that is NIL and the NCAA.

The second round of fundraising is now completed, meaning that two matching gifts of $25,000 have been secured. The next round, KTR said, is dedicated for men’s basketball:

Last year, KTR undertook an ambitious challenge to raise $1 million for the NIL collective. It is a vitally important undertaking if Rutgers is going to be competitive in the Big Ten.

 

Greg Schiano, the Rutgers football head coach, has said that NIL is paramount to his team’s ability to continue the rebuilding process. Especially in the Wild West landscape that is college football right now.

[lawrence-related id=36527,36488]

“It’s paramount in what we are doing right now. That is where college football is, and you have to be able to be competitive in that landscape, and we have to be able to be competitive in that landscape. And it’s not going to get less. It’s going to only get more,” Schiano said this past November.

“We have guys that have performed at a high level. Well, you know what, they are going to be people that’s trying to get them off our team. That’s the facts. And there’s going to be guys, we are not only going to want to keep our own guys here, but we are going to want to go out and pursue; and we have to do the things that Big Ten teams do to be competitive and eventually be champions. Every bit helps but we need every bit.”

Two years ago, ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum echoed these sentiments in acknowledging that every recruiting conversation is centered on NIL:

[lawrence-related id=36407,36405]

“NIL is everything right now there’s not a conversation that goes on in a living room with a player that doesn’t start then with what am I getting? It’s the new world,” Finebaum said in a 2022 nterview with Rutgers Wire.

“I talk to coaches all the time and they mask it as if it’s just part of a conversation but it’s the entire conversation. And so you have to find a way to get around it and if you don’t, you’re going to be out of business.”

Duke freshman Jared McCain announced as ambassador for SKIMS, Kim Kardashian’s clothing brand

Duke freshman Jared McCain was announced as one of the six NCAA basketball players sponsored by SKIMS, the clothing line started by Kim Kardashian, on Monday.

Star freshman Jared McCain has another big-time NIL sponsorship.

McCain was announced as one of six collegiate basketball players sponsored by SKIMS, the clothing line started by Kim Kardashian, on Monday.

The reveal is part of the brand’s March All-Star campaign advertising a new loungewear line.

McCain was joined by Connectict’s Donovan Clingan, Kansas’s Hunter Dickinson, Kentucky’s Rob Dillingham, Arizona’s Caleb Love, and North Carolina’s Paxson Wojcik.

According to On3’s NIL valuation, McCain, who has two million followers on TikTok, is worth more than $1 million in name, image, and likeness compensation. That’s the third-most of any collegiate basketball player behind only USC’s Bronny James (the son of NBA legend LeBron James) and Austin Peay’s Hansel Emmanuel.

The Duke freshman is averaging 13.4 points and 4.9 rebounds through the ACC Tournament, and he finished second in ACC Rookie of the Year voting. He was listed as an Honorable Mention for the all-conference teams, narrowly missing out on Third Team honors.

He tied a Duke freshman record with 35 points against Florida State earlier this year, and he’s scored at least 20 points in six other games since December 9.

First ever NIL deal incentivized tournament coming to college basketball in 2024

First-ever NIL incentivized tournament coming to college sports in 2024!

The NIL era is here to stay whether we like it or not. There is no question that it has drastically affected the landscape of college sports in just a few short years, but the craziest part is that we are still in the very beginning phases. It will continue to evolve and change over time, but today was another massive step forward in the world of NIL.

It was just announced that in 2024, college basketball will have the first-ever tournament featuring NIL deals. The details are still being ironed out, but the gist is that it will be an eight-team invitational in Las Vegas that will have a pot of $1 million to be split among the players of the winning side.

As of right now, the teams that are rumored to be participating in the ‘Players Era’ tournament include Alabama, Duke, FAU, Houston, Kansas, Oregon, San Diego State, St. Joe’s, Syracuse and Virginia.

The Tide had been pretty silent on their out of conference plans for next season which has been surprising given how solid their schedule has been in previous years, but now makes sense with the introduction of the NIL tournament.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

Kim Mulkey applauds team’s selflessness with NIL money

NIL is a huge factor in college athletics these days, and several LSU women’s basketball stars are among the highest earners.

NIL is a huge factor in college athletics these days. It has helped to distribute money to numerous athletes so they can make a little money off of their Name, Image and Likeness. [autotag]LSU Women’s Basketball[/autotag] has two players on the team who are ranked inside the top 20 of the On3 NIL 100.

[autotag]Angel Reese[/autotag] and [autotag]Flau’jae Johnson[/autotag] are two of the highest-earning athletes in the NCAA. Although they make a good amount due to NIL, they aren’t selfish with the money that they earn. They have given back to LSU on numerous occasions.

[autotag]Kim Mulkey[/autotag] recently talked about how awesome it is to see them give back with the money they have made.

“First of all, I don’t know what deals (Reese) has until she gives me a gift,” Mulkey said at halftime of Thursday’s SEC Tournament game between Arkansas and Auburn, per On3. “So she’ll give me Beats one year or something, and I’m like, what’s wrong with this picture? These young people are giving it to the coaches.”

“They do share their wealth,” Mulkey said. “Angel does a lot for her community back in Baltimore, she’s done a lot for Baton Rouge. And Flau’jae, I have to mention Flau’jae. She’s the same way. Those young ladies are very, very unselfish when it comes to helping people.”

The LSU ladies are 26-4 this year and will take on Auburn in their first game of the SEC Tournament.

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

Nick Saban recounts players’ NIL requests, playing time demands

In a recent interview, Nick Saban tells of what Alabama players asked of him as the 2024 offseason got started.

Shortly after the 2023 college football season came to a close, the shocking news broke that legendary head coach Nick Saban would be retiring from coaching. He is still staying around the game as an advocate for players and the sport, a media member (who would have guessed?) and an advisor to the Alabama football program.

Since retiring, he has been vocal about the state of college football and has recently been talking about what happened within the Crimson Tide program over the last year. Most notably he discussed the poor attitude Alabama players exhibited after losing to Michigan in the Rose Bowl College Football Playoff Semifinal.

He made clear that the attitude of the players was not the reason he retired, but it played a role. As Saban explained to ESPN’s Chris Low, building and maintaining relationships was one of his favorite parts of coaching, and he felt like his messages were no longer resonating with players, which, in turn, meant that the long-lasting relationships were getting harder to build.

With the recent mass changes college football has experienced, such as name, image, likeness policies and the transfer portal being more accessible, Saban felt like coaching, in general, took a hit.

“The thing I loved about coaching the most was the relationships that you had with players, and those things didn’t seem to have the same meaning as they once did,” said Saban.

After the 2023 season came to an end, Saban met with many Alabama players in a short period of time, and the topic of conversation revolved around things that the seven-time national champion did not appreciate: playing time demands and NIL deals.

“I thought we could have a hell of a team next year, and then maybe 70 or 80 percent of the players you talk to, all they want to know is two things: What assurances do I have that I’m going to play because they’re thinking about transferring, and how much are you going to pay me?” Saban recounted. “Our program here was always built on how much value can we create for your future and your personal development, academic success in graduating and developing an NFL career on the field.

As Saban stated, he looked to develop relationships and build value for the players, not just on the field, but in their lives, as well. A football career will end for everybody, whether it’s after their time in college or after a career in the NFL. Establishing value for oneself should be at the forefront.

On the minds of many of the players he met with after the season was personal gain, one way or another. While it’s not necessarily an inherently bad thing, it is not what Saban was looking to focus on as a head coach, and he felt like it inhibited the values he held dear over decades of coaching.

“So I’m saying to myself, ‘Maybe this doesn’t work anymore, that the goals and aspirations are just different and that it’s all about how much money can I make as a college player?’ I’m not saying that’s bad. I’m not saying it’s wrong, I’m just saying that’s never been what we were all about, and it’s not why we had success through the years.”

The realm of college football is an ever-changing landscape that ought to evolve with the rest of society. The speed at which that change comes and the coinciding protocols must run on a parallel timeline. In today’s game, many have compared it to the Wild West.

College football as we know it will never look the same, as is the case with other periods of transformation in the game. The goal should always be to advance everyone’s best interests, using the past as a guide. There will be always new aspects of the sport that fans, players, coaches and others will champion, and there will be changes that are looked down upon. It’s all rather arbitrary.

For Saban, it had long been clear what his stance was on instituting such drastic alterations to college football, which is why many have argued that perhaps he would be an appropriate candidate to serve as the commissioner for college football. However, that is a role he has openly expressed no interest in.

Saban will continue to find his footing in a post-coaching reality, and we should all expect to hear more from him as the game continues to evolve.

As for the man who looks to fill the mighty shoes left behind by Saban, Kalen DeBoer must navigate the challenge of coaching a historical powerhouse while handling these changes in stride. The expectation is that the newcomer will lean on the veteran heavily for guidance throughout the 2024 offseason.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on X @SpurrFM. 

Dabo Swinney: ‘Nobody talks about the value of an education anymore’

Dabo Swinney had a lot to say about the state of college athletics.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney has been back in front of the media recently as the Tigers have kicked off spring practice.

One of the most interesting topics Swinney was asked about was the professionalization of college athletics, which is something Swinney has been adamantly against. This was once again a topic of discussion, with the Tigers head coach discussing his worries with the direction college football is going. For Swinney, education is essential.

“The best thing for coaches, in the kind of world we are in right now, is for them to be employees. The worst thing? Is for them to be employees,” Swinney said. “That is not a world we want for eighteen-year-olds. I think we lost our way.”

Swinney isn’t against NIL, and he’s made it clear. It’s the things surrounding it that concern the future Hall of Famer.

“I think the NIL is awesome. I really am (for it),” he said. “I am all for enhancing the scholarship however you want, but I also understand the reality that ninety-eight percent of these kids are not going to play in the NFL. We need to educate our young people in this society. Nobody talks about the value of an education anymore.”

It’s always interesting to hear Swinney discuss these things because, in many ways, it does feel like a lost point of view that should be more relevant when you consider how crazy and seemingly unregulated everything appears to be surrounding NIL. Swinney wants his players to succeed during and after their football careers.

“I just want to see us incentivize education. There are so many things we can do,” he said. “We can create 401ks, like the real world, right? If you take your money out early, there is a penalty.

“These are 18-year-old kids leaving home for the first time in their life. We are sometimes setting them up for failure.”

When Swinney says things like these, many people seem to take it the wrong way for various different reasons. Regardless of how you feel about his words, it’s coming from a place of sincerity.

“There will be a lot that will come down the pipe down the road,” he said. “I love what I do. I love the challenge of it. I love the challenge of putting the team together and focusing on my guys. Focusing on helping fulfill the purpose of this program and really the purpose of my life, which is to glorify God, to be a great husband and father, and to use this platform of education and football to build great men.

“That is my purpose. That is what I do. That is what I wake up and do. That is what drives me. None of the rest of it drives me. That is what has always driven me. None of that has changed.”