G League Ignite, Bob Stoops, Player Retention Rates + ICYMI & More | NIL Newsletter #226
Welcome to the NIL Newsletter by Optimum Sports Consulting - providing valuable, actionable NIL resources for athletes, administrators, agencies and other sports professionals.
Major News
NBA To Shut Down G League Ignite After The 2023-2024 Season
The league owns and operates the Ignite, which focuses on developing young NBA prospects rather than wins and losses
With the rise of name, image, and likeness and the transfer portal in college basketball, the need for the Ignite elite team was eliminated.
The Ignite filled a void for young players who sought monetary compensation but weren’t interested in attending college and didn’t want to play overseas.
The Ignite struggled this season, and are currently 2-28 with four games remaining.
Bob Stoops Calls College Football “Unsustainable” In The Modern Era
Former Oklahoma Football Coach Bob Stoops believes college football needs to forego its current setup and operate more like a professional league.
Stoops argues that college football should have a commissioner with salary caps on what you can spend.
Stoops echoes the sentiment of Nick Saban, claiming that it is extremely difficult to run a program where players are entirely motivated by money.
He argues that the NCAA should no longer have governing control over college sports, and players should be offered contracts similar to the pro model in the NFL.
Name, Image, and Likeness Has Had Significant Impact On Player Retention
Players who succeed in the college mold are using NIL to prolong what is the best part of their career.
The NBA Draft is seen as a risk for players who don’t align with the modern era of the association.
Athletes no longer feel the need to go pro, as college basketball can be a place where they thrive while their returns also improve the sport’s product as a whole.
For Athletes
Deal of the Week
Buffalo Wild Wings has offered quick-turn NIL deals to benefit men’s and women’s players in March Madness who make a big play during overtime or send a game to overtime
Each player is offered financial compensation, apparel, and food. Buffalo Wild Wings works with the local franchise in the area to send wings to team hotels after games. Players must make a post on X and Instagram about the Overtime Wingtime promotion to fulfill the NIL requirement.
Turbo Tax has adopted an approach similar to Buffalo Wild Wings, signing Oakland Men’s Basketball Star Jack Gohlke to a deal shortly after Oakland defeated Kentucky.
ICYMI
Alabama Quarterback Jalen Milroe signs a $1.6 million deal with Six Star Nutrition, becoming the latest college athlete to promote the fitness supplement company. LINK
The first round of Men’s March Madness averages 8.3 million viewers per game, the most in tournament history. LINK.
Big-name athletes have discussed a potential holdout against EA Sports’ NCAA CFB video game. LINK
A new basketball tournament said to offer millions in NIL deals for players to participate extends an invitation to Alabama, Duke, Florida Atlantic, Houston, Kansas, Oregon, Rutgers, San Diego State, St. John’s, Syracuse, and Virginia. LINK.
UNC Guard Deja Kelly becomes the first college athlete to become a NIL ambassador with Tommy Hilfiger. 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!