By BROCK BEARDEN/Contributor
The athletic administration at UT Tyler has entered a deal with the sports management company Athletic Solutions to aid student-athletes in profiting on their name, image, and likeness.
“It’s so cool that we can earn something now for all the hard work we put in,” freshman softball player Celeste McCary said. “With this being my first year, I’m really excited to see how it benefits me and my teammates.”
Since its introduction by the NCAA in July 2021, NIL has grown rapidly and is creating new financial opportunities for players. Many athletes across various sports have secured deals.
“NIL has really changed the game for us as athletes,” senior baseball player Brody Logsdon said. “It’s opened doors that didn’t exist before, and it’s great to know we can take advantage of those opportunities while still focusing on our sport.”
The NCAA now allows student-athletes to profit from their personal brand through endorsements, sponsorships, and ventures such as Athletic Solutions.
“Athletic Solutions makes it a lot easier for us to manage everything,” Logsdon said. “We can set up our own personal portal with a link for people to access our site. Then when someone makes a purchase, we actually get a cut. It’s a great way to make some money without it taking too much focus away from our sport.”
From headwear and tees to fleece and accessories, student-athletes can showcase their name, image, and likeness on a wide range of collegiate gear.
“Seeing our names and faces on all kinds of gear is such a cool feeling,” McCary said. “I bet my friends and family will be happy to rep my name to show their support.”
