It’s only been a couple of weeks since the NCAA’s new Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) rules took effect, but many Arkansas Razorbacks student-athletes have already been capitalizing on the opportunity. The new interim policy, adopted on July 1, suspended the previous NCAA NIL rules, which prohibited college athletes from particular compensation and profits, such as sponsorships.
“This is an important day for college athletes since they all are now able to take advantage of name, image and likeness opportunities,” NCAA president Mark Emmert said in a statement leading up to the rule change. “With the variety of state laws adopted across the country, we will continue to work with Congress to develop a solution that will provide clarity on a national level. The current environment — both legal and legislative — prevents us from providing a more permanent solution and the level of detail student-athletes deserve.”
According to an NCAA press release, the new NIL policy provides the following guidance to college athletes, recruits, their families and member schools:
- Individuals can engage in NIL activities that are consistent with the law of the state where the school is located. Colleges and universities may be a resource for state law questions.
- College athletes who attend a school in a state without an NIL law can engage in this type of activity without violating NCAA rules related to name, image and likeness.
- Individuals can use a professional services provider for NIL activities.
- Student-athletes should report NIL activities consistent with state law or school and conference requirements to their school.
As quickly as the very day the interim change took effect, Razorback athletes began promoting their NIL deals on social media.
The first announced endorsement came from the hands of Trey Knox and the paws of PetSmart, featuring both the standout wide receiver and his dog, Blue.
“I have always been proud to be a student-athlete and an Arkansas football player, but I am just as proud to be a dog dad to Blue,“ Knox said in a statement. “It was a clear fit to work alongside PetSmart in this game-changing opportunity showcasing my love of Blue and how PetSmart fills all her needs.”
Arkansas baseball closer and National Player of the Year, Kevin Kopps, signed with Barstool Sports as a Barstool Athlete. Dave Portnoy, Barstool’s founder, even welcomed Kopps in a tweet.
Virtually the entire Razorback offensive line partnered with local eatery Wright’s Barbecue. Ty Clary, Brady Latham Shane Clenin, Ryan Winkel, Dalton Wagner, Luke Jones, Ricky Stromberg, Drew Vest, Beaux Limmer, Austin Nix, Devon Manuel and Josh Street were all listed in the sponsorship announcement. Both Wright’s and the players used the hashtag #BodyByBBQ in their social media posts.
Other Arkansas athletes, such as men’s basketball players Davonte Davis and Jaylin Williams, posted on social media an open invitation for businesses that would like to partner with them. Williams would later share that he is available to book on Cameo for paid-for personalized messages, such as shout-outs or birthdays. According to his profile, he can be booked at $25 per video.
And most recently, first-team preseason all-America receiver Treylon Burks announced that he has signed an endorsement deal with the Banded line of hunting gear.
The new NIL deals that Razorbacks and other athletes across the country are capitalizing on are not without rules and some red tape, however. It’s at the behest of the schools to ensure all deals — no matter how big or small — are in line with both state laws and university policies. According to the Associated Press, schools are “scrambling” to manage safety and compliance amid this new landscape.
At the University of Arkansas, “Flagship” was the solution launched in May for student-athletes of the school, designed to help Razorbacks navigate the new NIL waters.
“Just as we prepare and train our student-athletes to compete and succeed in the classroom and on the fields of athletics competition, we are committed to positioning them for personal success with the new opportunities associated with Name, Image and Likeness,” Hunter Yurachek, vice chancellor and director of athletics, said in a statement. “Arkansas Athletics was one of the first programs in the nation to add a senior staff position to lead those efforts and help Razorback student-athletes maximize their potential. By utilizing valuable resources within the Sam M. Walton College of Business and partnering with a variety of other industry leaders, Flagship will effectively serve our 465+ Razorback student-athletes and serve as a model for other intercollegiate athletics programs.”
