Fontenot Lawsuit, Adidas, Sprouts Farmers Market, + ICYMI & More | NIL Newsletter #202
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Major News
Alex Fontenot Files Lawsuit Against NCAA
Last week, former Colorado football player Alex Fontenot sued the NCAA in a prospective class action suit. The suit alleges that the NCAA unlawfully denied compensation to athletes — an antitrust claim.
“Just as the schools compete for coaches by paying higher salaries, they would also compete for athletes by paying higher compensation,” the suit alleged.
Fontenot’s lawyers distinguished their suit from the ongoing House v. NCAA suit because it is not limited to compensation for “name, image, and likeness.”
Instead, the suit focuses on media revenue, stating that the NCAA and its major conferences are “raking in billions in television and other revenue without sharing a dime of it with the athletes.”
The suit specifically mentions the $76 million buyout Texas A&M is paying to Jimbo Fisher.
Adidas Signs Darryn Peterson as First High School Athlete
Last week, Adidas and Peterson announced a deal that makes Peterson the first current high schooler to partner with the sportswear brand.
“Darryn is an all-star athlete and at such a young age embodies what adidas Basketball is all about,” said Adidas basketball’s global general manager Eric Wise. “We cannot wait to see what the future holds and welcome him into the 3 Stripe family.”
“I’m extremely proud to join an elite group of athletes with adidas,” Peterson said. “I look forward to working with the team as I embark on this pivotal moment in my career.”
Peterson, 16, is a top 5 player in the class of 2025 out of Huntington, West Virginia, and has yet to announce his college commitment. He previously played in Ohio, but moved to West Virginia to take part in NIL activities.
Sprouts Farmers Market Partners with Nine
Last week, Sprouts Farmers Market, through their Sprouts Healthy Community Foundation, partnered with nine female student-athletes.
Participating athletes:
Madisen Skinner, University of Texas, Volleyball
Savannah Price, Arizona State University, Softball
Jazzy Owens-Barnett, Rice University, Basketball
Amber Mallas, California State University, Fullerton, Soccer
Reilyn Turner, University of California, Los Angeles, Soccer
Sarah Burwell, Georgia Tech University, Cross Country
Hannah McLaughlin, Vanderbilt University, Soccer
Alex Jean Glover, Southern Methodist University, Volleyball
Kendall Whitman, George Washington University, Gymnastics
$1,000 donations were made on behalf of each athlete to local charities.
“Through these NIL partnerships, these talented and hard-working collegiate female athletes are inspirations to building a healthier, stronger future for women,” said Alisa Gmelich, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Sprouts. “Their dedication aligns with Sprouts' commitment to power women on and off the field, paving the way for female athletes for years to come.”
For Athletes
Deal of the Week
The Oklahoma-focused Crimson & Cream collective is launching a membership campaign.
A new member who signs up through the campaign will win a free, all-expense paid trip to Hawaii to honor Dillon Gabriel.
ICYMI
Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh: “Who could argue against players being compensated?” LINK
Pitt football players encourage NIL use to keep the current roster. LINK
Deion Sanders tells recruits: “We’re not an ATM.” LINK
Tom Allen was fired by Indiana and will be owed $15.5 million. LINK
Have you checked out OSC’s website?
Head to www.OptimumSportsConsulting.com to find important resources and features relating to all things NIL. These resources include State by State Resources for Admins, Agents and Athletes, including our initial “OSC Summaries” for over a dozen states coming soon.
More to come too, including links to helpful state information- agency laws and information about school policies, as well as seminar/congressional notes, worksheets, and much more!