N.C. State F D.J. Burns Jr. over the last week has inked brand deals with Adidas, Barstool Sports, CVS Pharmacy, Daps, Manscaped, Raising Cane’s and Intuit TurboTaxGetty Images
N.C. State's unexpected run to the NCAA Men's Tournament Final Four has created the "ideal storyline for companies wanting to enter the marketplace and spend dollars on NIL,” according to Pete Nakos of ON3.com. Over the last week, F D.J. Burns Jr. inked brand deals with Adidas, Barstool Sports, CVS Pharmacy, Daps, Manscaped, Raising Cane’s and Intuit TurboTax. He has “gained well over 30,000 social media followers” since the ACC Tournament, and the uptick is “not slowing down.” Burns will have the next week to continue capitalizing as he is “reaching nearly superstar status.” Alabama G Marks Sears has also seen his profile grow amid the team's run to the Final Four, having inked partnerships with C4 Energy, Daps and TurboTax in recent days. The other two Final Four team's, Purdue and UConn, “have star power,” with names like Zach Edey and Donovan Clingan. UConn men’s basketball coach Dan Hurley “just might be the next leading face in the sport.” Yet, Burns and Sears “illustrate how the current college sports landscape benefits athletes” (ON3.com, 4/1).
