Since July 2021, student-athletes have been eligible to be compensated personally based on how they choose to brand themselves at Wright State University (WSU). This is due to the new addition of Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) in collegiate sports.
Depending on how student athletes perform and choose to represent themselves and their team, they are able to be compensated for it. NIL is controversial, as many people think it is not necessary at the collegiate level of sports.
Zach Beal the NIL Director at WSU explained why this this is not the case.
“With revenue sharing, we can now invest more money and resources into student-athletes than ever before. I still believe that's the purpose of college athletics, [NIL and] revenue sharing. [It] offers more opportunities to invest in our student-athletes, school and community. We can provide athletic scholarships to every student-athlete, which hasn't been the case in the past. That's an exciting opportunity and something to push for," Beal said.
From the fans and community buying jerseys, signed merchandise, jerseys, athletes showing up to events and so much more, the world of NIL is endless, showing that athletes have many options.
However, the most popular way for the community to support players with NIL is to get a hoodie or jersey with their name. Jewelry is also an option. Recently, WSU athletics offered a new choice where fans can buy WSU trading cards, which come with 20 cards.
You can shop for these and other WSU sporting merchandise here.
Shea Neal, a sports information director for college basketball, and previous sports radio director at WSU, spoke on the mid-major college athletic experience with NIL.
“When you have good players at the non-power 5 level, they’re looking to maximize on their ability, while bigger schools and conferences can give them more money. So, the retention rate for smaller schools is very difficult,” Neal said.
NIL can be used differently for college athletes based on their level, from a huge sports school to a junior college. No matter the size of the school or the team, having support from the local area matters to athletes.
Beal talked about the impact our community has on this team.
“It's huge. A large portion of our current student-athletes are from the Dayton area, and the vast majority of WSU alumni live in the Miami Valley. Our fans are from the area, and our connections to businesses are local as well. We need to continue to build bridges with local businesses who can benefit from deeper associations with our student-athletes,“ Beal said.
It is important for WSU athletes and other boosters and communities to do their best to support in the right way because it is possible that without following the rules with NIL athletes can lose their ability to play.
“With that in mind, the athletics department needs the help of all boosters and stakeholders to protect the eligibility of our student-athletes and continue our tradition of excellence,” the official NIL website reads.
NIL is on the rise in college sports and is a key contributor for players and where they might decide to play. It will continue to change the game for recruitment in high school to college athletics.
