NIL Newsletter #159 | Brandr Group, Sports Betting Probe, NIL Certificate Programs, Florida State Collective, + ICYMI & More
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Major News
The Brandr Group Sues EA Sports Over Upcoming Video Game
The Brandr Group specializes in group licensing deals and holds partnerships with over 50 Universities, including Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia, and Michigan.
The lawsuit alleges that EA told The Brandr Group that agreements for partner schools would be made through the Group.
The Brandr Group is also alleging that EA Sports is circumventing the existing contracts that the Group holds with Universities by allowing student-athletes at those Universities to opt into the game individually.
“We are aware of the complaint that Brandr has filed, and we don’t believe it has any merit,” EA Sports said in a statement.
EA Sports has stated that the game remains on-track for its scheduled 2024 release, and that the lawsuit will not affect the release.
More on the recent lawsuit is available HERE.
Iowa and Iowa State Student-Athletes Under Investigation
Over 100 current and former Iowa and Iowa State student-athletes are under investigation by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.
The investigation has been underway for a month, but no criminal charges have been filed yet.
US Integrity CEO Matt Holt shared more about the initial discovery: ““If they’re logging in from the field, gymnasium, practice facility or arena at a time when there’s no fans, no vendors, no real security, it’s really easy to catch. And that’s going to spark things to these state regulators, who are going to say, ‘Hmm … Why are we getting 200 logins from the men’s locker room at Iowa St. right now?’”
More on the developing story is available HERE.
Troy University is Latest to Add NIL Certification Programs
Troy University, in partnership with Troy University IDEA Bank, launched a course for student-athletes.
“The new NIL landscape within college athletics allows student-athletes to lean into their entrepreneurial spirit, and we want to support that at the IDEA Bank. We spent a lot of time building a well-rounded certificate program that will set students up with fundamental knowledge of how to approach and manage NIL while also providing unique resources and tips,” said Troy IDEA Bank Director Lynne George.
The program is housed on Canvas, a standard educational program used by Universities to organize classes, track grades, and host lectures.
The modules available to Troy student-athletes are focused on financial literacy, tax education, NCAA compliance, personal branding, and social media.
More on Troy’s program and other similar programs is available HERE.
Florida State NIL Collective Reports $1.2 Million in Contributions
Rising Spear Garnet Spirit, a nonprofit collective, announced that they received over $1.2 million in contributions during the 2022 fiscal year.
Rising Spear also runs a for-profit entity, The Battle’s End, which focuses on Florida State football student-athletes.
Rising Spear COO Will Cowen believes the recent IRS memo will not affect contributions moving forward.
More on Rising Spear is available HERE.
Legal Update
Time Running Out for Federal NIL Legislation?
Two very important deadlines continue to loom over the NCAA’s push for federal legislation.
NCAA President Charlie Baker has publicly stated that the NCAA needs to push for federal legislation, and make progress, before the election cycle in the fall.
In addition, Johnson v. NCAA, detailed previously HERE, continues its march through the legal system. Oral arguments were heard February 15th of this year. The issue from those arguments focuses solely on whether Judge John Padova correctly overruled the NCAA’s dismissal. A later ruling in favor of student-athletes, according to attorney Mit Winter, would “fundamentally change the collegiate athletics model.”
For Athletes
Deal of the Week
LSU Women’s basketball teammates Flau’jae Johnson (above) and Angel Reese share this week’s Deal of the Week.
Angel Reese signed an NIL deal with PlayStation, promoting the new Final Fantasy XVI video game. LINK
Flau’jae Johnson signed an NIL deal with Uninterrupted, a company co-founded by LeBron James, to promote new limited edition apparel. LINK
Quick Tip
US Integrity CEO Matt Holt advises student-athletes to avoid using sports betting apps when at practice facilities, locker rooms, stadiums, and arenas. LINK
For Admins
Keep an Eye on Texas
The new university-friendly law allows schools to connect university fundraising arms and NIL collectives. Following the actions of Texas, A&M, and Texas Tech will prove worthwhile as more states develop similar NIL laws.
Walker Jones, Executive Director of Ole Miss-focused Grove Collective: “The less stress on the donor, the more it cuts out confusion with the donor, and the more impactful it is – seamless and convenient.” LINK
For Agents
Be Prepared for Certification
NCAA President Charlie Baker joined the MCWS broadcast to re-emphasize his support for an NIL clearinghouse. Key points include deal transparency, agent certification, and standardized NIL contracts. LINK
ICYMI
Maryland Football Head Coach Mike Locksley on NIL: “I feel like I’ve got my legs cut from underneath me. Because my strength in recruiting isn’t some slick salesman job, it’s built on the longevity of relationships. And now the way the college landscape is with the NIL, the transfer portal — everything is pretty much transactional, and relationships have kind of gone out of the window.” LINK
The Tennessee-focused Volunteer Club signed a team-wide NIL deal with the baseball squad. Each student-athlete will receive four figures for promoting the collective. LINK
The Kansas-focused Mass St. Collective is hosting a Ladies Night Out event with the football program, where general admission tickets will cost $100. 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!