NCAA Partnership, Oklahoma NIL Bill, Reggie Bush Reinstated, + ICYMI & More | NIL Newsletter #234
Welcome to the NIL Newsletter by Optimum Sports Consulting - providing valuable, actionable NIL resources for athletes, administrators, agencies and other sports professionals.
Major News
NCAA Partners with Teamworks for NIL Services
The NCAA announced a partnership with Teamworks last week to provide Name, Image, and Likeness services to student-athletes and member institutions.
Teamworks will begin to collect disclosures of NIL activities from student-athletes and provide educational materials for all students and universities.
“We look forward to collaborating with Teamworks to bring some transparency to the NIL landscape and directly benefit student-athletes,” said Dave Schnase, NCAA vice president of academic and membership affairs.
“The company already has a broad presence beyond NIL within the NCAA membership, and we will capitalize on that presence to help student-athletes better navigate and make informed decisions in the NIL environment.”
New Oklahoma Bill Authorizes Direct Payments
Senate Bill 1786 was introduced in the Oklahoma Senate this session.
The bill, authored by Senator Kristen Thompson, would allow Oklahoma universities to pay student-athletes if authorized by changes from conferences or federal laws.
“At the end of the day, we want our universities, no matter what size, what conference they are in, we want them to have all the tools they need to be the most competitive in the country,” Thompson said.
Reggie Bush’s 2005 Heisman Trophy Returned
Last Wednesday, the Heisman Trust reinstated Reggie Bush’s 2005 Heisman Trophy.
In their decision, the Heisman Trust cited fundamental changes (i.e.: NIL) to collegiate athletics during the 14 years since Bush forfeited the trophy.
“We are thrilled to welcome Reggie Bush back to the Heisman family in recognition of his collegiate accomplishments,” said Michael Comerford, president of The Heisman Trophy Trust. “We considered the enormous changes in college athletics over the last several years in deciding that now is the right time to reinstate the Trophy for Reggie. We are so happy to welcome him back.”
Bush will be invited to all future ceremonies.
For Athletes
Deal of the Week
Addy Ritzenhein, a high school sophomore and 2023-24 Gatorade National Girls Cross Country player of the year, signed an NIL deal with On this week.
The deal marks On’s first signing of a high school athlete.
ICYMI
The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association denied a constitutional amendment that would have allowed student-athletes to profit off their NIL. LINK
The NC State-focused OnePack NIL Collective brought in $867,450 during a one-night NIL auction. LINK
UCLA guard Skyy Clark signed an NIL deal with Kendrick Perkins’ company NILLY. 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!