Brian Kelly's NIL Fundraising Offer, Ohio House Bill 660 Vote, and More | Newsletter #297
Welcome to the NIL Newsletter by Optimum Sports Consulting - providing valuable, actionable NIL resources for athletes, administrators, agencies and other sport professionals.
Today’s newsletter includes updates on Brian Kelly’s NIL offer, Ohio’s NIL legislation vote, legal updates, and news for student-athletes and administrators.
Keep up to date on all of our newsletters and content by checking out past Optimum Sports Consulting Newsletters, and following us on Twitter!
This Monday Newsletter includes:
1. Brian Kelly’s NIL Fundraising Offer
2. Ohio House Bill 660 Vote
3. What’s coming up in the world of NIL
4. Legal Updates: The NCAA, USC, and PAC-12 seek dismissal of Reggie Bush’s lawsuit
5. News/tips for administrators and student athletes
Major News
LSU Head Coach Brian Kelly Makes NIL Fundraising Offer
Brian Kelly has repeatedly stated that he came to LSU to compete for national championships. Now, Kelly and his wife have pledged to match donations to the Tiger Athletic Foundation's Excellence Fund up to $1 million from Dec. 13 to Feb. 5, 2025.
Coaches are not allowed to contribute directly to a school's NIL efforts, but Kelly is able to do so by instead giving to the collective.
“In order to remain among the nation’s elite in this new world of college athletics, we have to be competitive in all areas of our program. I am committed to doing all that we can to win championships at LSU. While we are not permitted to financially support our NIL efforts directly, Paqui and I can certainly match this tremendous fanbase’s generosity by investing in the future of LSU Athletics through the Tiger Athletic Foundation," Kelly said.
When he was hired in 2022, Kelly made a similar $1 million donation directly to the school to help complete facility improvements and other renovations for his team.
CLICK HERE to learn more.
Ohio is set to Vote on Ohio House Bill 660 This Week
Later this week, the Ohio Senate will be voting on Ohio House Bill 660. The Bill is backed by Ohio State University and many other schools in the state.
This Bill would not only allow for direct revenue sharing between universities and their student-athletes, but it would ensure the athletes could obtain outside agents, protect their NIL contracts from the public, and be seen as independent student-athletes, not university employees.
The state has continued to reassure its residents that no taxpayer dollars will be used to compensate the athletes. Each university must gather the funds privately or through the success of their programs.
CLICK HERE to learn more.
Other Notable Stories to Follow
The NCAA estimated the nation's top-25 college football programs with the best NIL situations - LINK
Four football players delivered $10,000 donations to their favorite teachers on behalf of Cheez-Its - LINK
The Portal Report shows that 5.9% of all DI college football players intend to transfer for the upcoming 2025 CFB season - LINK
UNC is set to massively expand their NIL budget - LINK
What’s Coming Up Next For NIL
December 18, 2024 | Jaden Rashada Motion to Dismiss Hearing
April 7, 2025 | Final Approval Hearing for the House v. NCAA Settlement
Legal Updates
The NCAA, USC, and PAC-12 are Seeking to Dismiss Reggie Bush’s Lawsuit
The NCAA, USC, and PAC-12 are seeking to dismiss Bush’s suit on the grounds that his claims of antitrust violations and lost NIL from his tenure at USC come almost a decade and a half too late.
Bush filed suit in September, alleging that parties had profited off of his NIL without compensating him. Attorneys for the NCAA, Pac-12, and USC set out to dismantle those claims, arguing that Bush’s effort to wind back the clock should be barred by the statute of limitations, which is typically four years in antitrust cases. Bush last played at USC in 2005.
The legal teams on both sides of Bush’s lawsuit met last week via videoconference to discuss the complaint and hash out their differences. But no agreement could be reached, according to court filings.
CLICK HERE to learn more.
Optimum Sports Consulting is here to help.
For athletes looking for NIL insight and advisement, administrators and collectives looking for resources and facilitating a best-in class process, or agents looking to navigate the changing landscape, we’re here to help!
Message us now for a free consultation.
FOR ATHLETES
Notes for the Week
Notre Dame basketball star Hannah Hidalgo joins Red Bull NIL roster - LINK
Colorado football player Travis Hunter signs NIL partnership with Adidas - LINK
ASU QB Sam Leavitt announced he is donating 100% of the royalties from his officially licensed NIL merchandise back to ASU football’s NIL initiatives - LINK
Tip of the Week: Balance is key.
As a student-athlete navigating NIL opportunities, it's important to prioritize your education and athletics while exploring endorsement deals and partnerships. Make sure to carefully review any contracts or agreements before signing, seek guidance from trusted advisors, and stay organized with your commitments to ensure a successful balance between academics, sports, and business opportunities.
FOR ADMINS
Notes for the Week
Former Florida and Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen takes job at UNLV - LINK
SEC schools are leading the way for NIL funding - LINK
Tip of the Week: Be sure to support your student-athletes as they navigate the NIL space.
It is important to show your student-athletes that you are fully behind them as they navigate the evolving landscape of NIL opportunities. Many schools have already started implementing programs to help support their athletes. Schools are partnering with NIL resource companies to ensure that their student-athletes are given NIL guidance or are given resources to streamline their NIL deals and provide transparency in this complex space. Make sure your school has something in place to provide support for your athletes.
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Keep up to date on all of our newsletters and content by checking out past Optimum Sports Consulting Newsletters, and following us on Twitter!