DePaul Invests Further in NIL Opportunities for Student-Athletes
9/13/2022 4:04:00 PM | ATHLETICS, NIL
Blue Demons pour into new partnerships and strategies to help student-athletes in the Name, Image & Likeness space
CHICAGO – DePaul Athletics has executed several new partnerships and piloted strategic investments to support student-athletes as they pursue name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities.
In June 2021, DePaul Athletics launched LEGACY, a comprehensive entrepreneurship and brand development program for student-athletes. The program enabled Blue Demon student-athletes to fully leverage NIL legislation that was slated to go into effect in Illinois on July 1, 2021. After the passage of the legislation, DePaul invested in education and digital tools to support student-athletes develop the skills necessary to be dynamic in the NIL market.
After Illinois' the modernization of the legislation in May 2021—which removed the provision preventing the athletics department from assisting student-athletes in the procurement of NIL opportunities—DePaul Athletics is more prepared than ever to support student-athletes at DePaul in realizing NIL opportunities.
Recent initiatives include:
Blue Demon fans interested in supporting NIL educational opportunities for student-athletes in the areas of financial literacy, entrepreneurship, brand management, and social media strategy can pledge support to the Developing Future Leaders Fund that was recently created within the athletics department. The fund is also crucial in providing funding for DePaul Athletics to invest in digital tools and technology necessary to support and differentiate DePaul student-athletes in the national NIL market.
DePaul Athletics' NCAA Compliance Office reminds individuals that in accordance with Illinois law, student-athletes may not enter into NIL contracts that promote gambling, sports betting (including wagers in connection with video games, online games, and mobile devices), controlled substances, cannabis, tobacco, nicotine, performance-enhancing supplements, adult entertainment, alcohol or any brand, good or service that may reasonably be considered inconsistent with the mission, reputation, or policies of DePaul University. Student-athletes may not earn compensation in exchange for their athletic ability, for participating in an intercollegiate athletic competition, or for their agreement or willingness to attend DePaul University or any other postsecondary educational institution. Additionally, no one may arrange NIL compensation for prospective student-athletes (including transfer student-athletes) as an inducement for their attendance at DePaul, including everyone associated with DePaul or its Athletics Department, such as members of the faculty or staff, current or former student-athletes, boosters, or other representatives of DePaul athletic interests.
For more information about NIL rules, regulations, and opportunities, visit DePaulBlueDemons.com/NIL.
In June 2021, DePaul Athletics launched LEGACY, a comprehensive entrepreneurship and brand development program for student-athletes. The program enabled Blue Demon student-athletes to fully leverage NIL legislation that was slated to go into effect in Illinois on July 1, 2021. After the passage of the legislation, DePaul invested in education and digital tools to support student-athletes develop the skills necessary to be dynamic in the NIL market.
After Illinois' the modernization of the legislation in May 2021—which removed the provision preventing the athletics department from assisting student-athletes in the procurement of NIL opportunities—DePaul Athletics is more prepared than ever to support student-athletes at DePaul in realizing NIL opportunities.
Recent initiatives include:
- Announcement of a newly formed affiliation agreement with Athlete Advantage to assist in identifying and securing NIL opportunities for currently enrolled DePaul University student-athletes while remaining fully compliant with all NCAA, State of Illinois, and DePaul university laws, regulations, policies, and guidelines.
- Elevation of Litisha Hall to serve as Men's Basketball General Manager to support the program's student-athletes in the areas of professional development, building strategic partnership, community engagement, and NIL business opportunities.
- Investment in the full suite of NIL products offered by INFLCR—the nation's leading content and compliance platform. DePaul is one of only six programs in the nation to offer INFLCR's full suite of products and services to student-athletes.
- Development of the LEGACY Exchange (DePaulBlueDemons.com/Exchange)—an online NIL business registry, custom-designed for businesses, donors, alumni, and any other interested parties to register and connect in real time with DePaul student-athletes to construct NIL agreements.
- Execution of a merchandising partnership with Campus Ink to launch a complete NIL merchandise store for DePaul student-athletes, featuring officially licensed jerseys, shirseys, and apparel. Each athlete signed up will possess a personalized digital locker room which will house their merchandise.
- Establishment of a group licensing program with The Brandr Group allowing student-athletes to utilize DePaul Athletics' official trademarks and logos in co-branded merchandise sales.
- Enrollment and participation in NIL networking events, including the INFLCR NIL Summit in Atlanta, Ga., for student-athletes interested in maximizing their NIL opportunities.
Blue Demon fans interested in supporting NIL educational opportunities for student-athletes in the areas of financial literacy, entrepreneurship, brand management, and social media strategy can pledge support to the Developing Future Leaders Fund that was recently created within the athletics department. The fund is also crucial in providing funding for DePaul Athletics to invest in digital tools and technology necessary to support and differentiate DePaul student-athletes in the national NIL market.
DePaul Athletics' NCAA Compliance Office reminds individuals that in accordance with Illinois law, student-athletes may not enter into NIL contracts that promote gambling, sports betting (including wagers in connection with video games, online games, and mobile devices), controlled substances, cannabis, tobacco, nicotine, performance-enhancing supplements, adult entertainment, alcohol or any brand, good or service that may reasonably be considered inconsistent with the mission, reputation, or policies of DePaul University. Student-athletes may not earn compensation in exchange for their athletic ability, for participating in an intercollegiate athletic competition, or for their agreement or willingness to attend DePaul University or any other postsecondary educational institution. Additionally, no one may arrange NIL compensation for prospective student-athletes (including transfer student-athletes) as an inducement for their attendance at DePaul, including everyone associated with DePaul or its Athletics Department, such as members of the faculty or staff, current or former student-athletes, boosters, or other representatives of DePaul athletic interests.
For more information about NIL rules, regulations, and opportunities, visit DePaulBlueDemons.com/NIL.
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