Tag: NIL

Isaiah Johnson Becomes First NIL Athlete Signed to Dwyane Wade’s Way of Wade Brand

Brandon King

Texas sophomore point guard Isaiah Johnson is making history off the court. The rising NCAA guard has become the first NIL athlete to sign with Dwyane Wade’s Way of Wade brand under Li-Ning, marking a significant step in the brand’s expansion into college basketball and the growing NIL sneaker landscape. Johnson announced the partnership alongside Wade and Way of Wade, joining a brand built around the Hall of Fame guard’s playing career and basketball influence. Way of Wade operates as Dwyane Wade’s signature basketball brand through its partnership with Li-Ning,…

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Charlie Woods Signs First NIL Deal With TaylorMade, Following in Father Tiger’s Footsteps

Brandon King

Charlie Woods is officially entering the NIL era. The 17-year-old son of golf legend Tiger Woods has signed his first name, image and likeness deal with TaylorMade Golf, joining the same equipment company his father has represented since 2017. The partnership comes as Charlie prepares for his senior year at The Benjamin School in Florida and looks ahead to his college career at Florida State University. Woods is committed to play for the Seminoles beginning in 2027. (TaylorMade Golf⁠) Under the agreement, Woods will play a full TaylorMade equipment setup…

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Nikola Kusturica Reportedly Commits to UCLA on Historic $12 Million NIL Deal

Brandon King

College basketball’s recruiting landscape may have just changed once again. According to EuroHoops, Serbian basketball sensation Nikola Kusturica has committed to UCLA on a reported two-year, $12 million NIL agreement, making it one of the most lucrative name, image, and likeness deals ever reported for an incoming college basketball player. The 17-year-old FC Barcelona standout reportedly chose the Bruins over several major programs, including Kentucky, in what could become one of the biggest recruiting victories of the NIL era. Multiple outlets have echoed the report, although some recruiting insiders say…

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Michigan star Syla Swords signs NIL deal with Nike

Brandon King

Michigan star guard Syla Swords has added another major achievement to her rapidly growing résumé, signing a name, image and likeness (NIL) shoe deal with Nike. The partnership makes Swords the first basketball player to join Nike Canada’s NIL roster, marking another milestone for one of the brightest young stars in women’s college basketball. “Nike is always at the forefront of every podium, medal and championship,” Swords said in a statement. “I cannot wait to join a family of winners and role models while I continue to write my story!”…

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Micheal Vick supports his players leaving to obtain NIL deals

Brandon King

Although name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals were not around when he dominated college football in the late ’90s, the new Norfolk State football coach is in favor of collegiate athletes of today being able to profit from their talents, even if it may be deleterious to his program. Vick has vowed to not impede players seeking greener NIL pastures, even if they will necessitate them leaving his program, he is already giving players his blessing to do so.  In a recent appearance on Da Get Got Podcast with Marshawn…

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“King of NIL” Rayquan Smith wants to help HBCU Athletes

Staff

Courtesy of Charnese Small, Sports Editor,The Virginia Statesman Name, Image and Likeness (NIL), in its most basic form, refers to the procedures by which college athletes are permitted to obtain monetary rewards. Use of an athlete’s name, likeness, and image for marketing and promotional purposes is referred to as NIL. This might involve postings on social media, endorsing products, signing autographs, and more. “The King of NIL” as they call him, Mr. Rayquan Smith, graduate student from Norfolk State University now attends Virginia State University as a Mass Communications graduate student.…

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