NIL + Free Agency = What’s Next?

Valley Coaches and Programs Weigh In

(St. Louis, MO) – The landscape of college basketball has changed forever. On the first of July the NCAA opened the door for college athletes to be able to profit from their ‘name, image and likeness’, or NIL. Coupled with the ability to transfer without a year of sitting out has changed the game forever.

Changes for the good of the individual may or may not be good for the game and college programs. Time will tell. Colleges are hiring marketing companies to aid their athletes and players are grabbing ‘low hanging fruit’ and the world has changed.

What the Coaches are Saying

While Valley coaches are universally in favor of their players’ ability make money they are hoping for some universal guide lines. The NCAA has limited the role coaches can play in any of the players’ business dealings.

Drake’s Darian DeVries says the coaching staff and players are in for an ‘education’ where the NIL is concerned.

 

 

Illinois State’s Dan Muller believes in the ‘free market’ approach with the players’ earning potential. The former Redbird player says he is hoping for a uniform set of rules. He admits that recruiting could be affected by the new earning potential.

 

 

New Missouri Valley Commissioner Jeff Jackson says the conference is in a learning phase. The Valley has a subcommittee in place to study the ramifications of the new legislation.

 

 

Education of the players and families is upper most on Ben Jacobson’s mind. The Northern Iowa head coach admits he likes consistency, but believes this change is a good one. Jacobson wants to do a great job of helping his players benefit in the greatest way.

 

 

Proactive Universities

Loyola Chicago’s Drew Valentine has tapped his NBA-playing brother Denzel Valentine to speak to his players and help them see their earning potential. Loyola and Drake have each employed an outside agency to advise their university’s athletes.

INFLCR will partner with Loyola Chicago and Director of Athletics Steve Watson says the partnership with INFLCR will be beneficial.

“We look forward to this partnership with INFLCR to help our student-athletes build their personal brands and maximize their opportunities while at Loyola and beyond,” said Watson.

Since the State of Illinois has passed legislation concerning NIL the Rambler athletes have clearer guide-lines that players in other states. INFLCR founder and CEO Jim Cavale says his company is committed to giving Rambler athletes guidance to establish and monetize their personal brand.

“INFLCR will provide Rambler athletes with everything from content delivery, social media metrics, NIL compliance tracking, educational resources, and the Compliance Exchange, where they can access countless opportunities to profit off their NIL in this new era of collegiate athletics.”

Drake has partnered with NOCAP Sports. NOCAP is a marketing platform that attempts to bridge the gap between athletes, agents, brands and fans. Drake athletic director Brian Hardin is excited to help Bulldog athletes maximize their individual brands.

“We believe our student-athletes are uniquely positioned to capitalize on the new landscape due to the training we can provide at Drake University and being located in Des Moines, the fastest growing city in the Midwest,” said Hardin. “By partnering with NOCAP Sports, we are providing our student- athletes with the support they need and the expertise they deserve when managing and maximizing their brand.”

NOCAP’s mission statement is “Equipping athletes with a complete platform to help them compliantly monetize their name, image and likeness in multiple ways.”

A Nation Wide Plan?

Commissioner Jackson says something had to be announced by the NCAA, but there is still a long way to go. The league’s tenth commissioner believes the college landscape continue to go through changes. Nation-wide legislation could become a factor that changes some of the regulations. More universities could hire outside agencies.

Jackson says an ‘even playing field’, in terms of how players and businesses move forward was important to be established.

 

 

Barstool Sports has jumped through this open door in a huge way. Founder Dave Portnoy immediately invited any Division 1 athlete to apply to be a ‘Barstool Athlete’. It started with a Jacksonville State volleyball player and Barstool is collecting college athletes at a break neck pace.

While Barstool is an aggressive marketing company this expansion practically happened by accident.

 

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Emergency Press Conference – I just started a NCAA marketing firm and landed our first athlete. Introducing Adelaide Halverson. Welcome to the fam!

Throw Adelaide a follow…https://t.co/OL0gvSgmwG pic.twitter.com/qx26dA0dwM

— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) July 1, 2021

 

The college basketball landscape has changed forever. What it will look like in twelve months, is anyone’s guess.

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