In L.A., Ben Bolch notes UCLA gymnast Samantha Sakti was "one of four college athletes who recently signed five-figure name, image and likeness deals with warehouse retailer Sam's Club." For Sakti, it was $10,000. Sakti has more than 4,000 followers on Instagram, but her "first name was a must; Sam's Club is only signing athletes named Sam." The company also has signed UCF sprinter Samieryah Bradwell, Georgia State WR Sam Pinckney and SMU soccer GK Samantha Estrada (L.A. TIMES, 9/16).
BOTTOMS UP: In West Palm Beach, Tom D'Angelo notes FAU QB N'Kosi Perry is the "first NCAA athlete to sign an NIL with an alcohol company." Islamorada Beer is a partnership between five co-owners, four of whom are FAU graduates. Perry's deal is on a "yearly renewable basis and calls for him to promote the brand through social media and attend at least one event per year." He is being paid an "undisclosed amount of money along with all the swag a college student desires" (PALM BEACH POST, 9/16).
NIGHT & DAY: In Utah, Jay Drew writes BYU RB Tyler Allgeier is "pushing everything from lip balm, protein bars and chicken wings throughout Utah." Allgeier has somewhat surprisingly emerged as "one of the most sought-after players on the Cougars' 2-0 football team for endorsement deals." Allgeier and WR Gunner Romney "recently signed on to be ambassadors for YOKE Gaming and the app's partnership with It's Just Wings, a brand that operates out of Chili's restaurants." Allgeier "isn't disclosing what kind of money he will make from Balmshot or YOKE" (DESERET NEWS, 9/16).
THE RIGHT TOOLS: In Ft. Worth, Drew Davison notes TCU athletics formed a partnership with its Neeley School of Business to "work together to support, guide and advise student-athletes." There will be "optional workshops that student-athletes can attend as well as a three-hour summer class that counts toward an entrepreneurship minor." The program is "being branded 'Scaled to Succeed.'" This is "another extension of the school's NIL engagement along with its affiliation with Opendorse" (Ft. Worth STAR-TELEGRAM, 9/16).
