NIL

U.S. Media

•

30 days

Summary

sources
217
Narrative Items
684
Bottom Line Up Front

217 sources in U.S. Media are amplifying 684 narrative items relating to the narrative of evolving name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights for student-athletes. These narratives highlight significant deals, charitable contributions, and legislative changes, illustrating a shift towards fair compensation and recognition of athletes' contributions, while also emphasizing personal branding and community impact.

Reviewing a number of the most relevant narrative items indicates that media coverage of recent NIL developments tends to reflect a mix of positive and neutral tones, with a focus on growth, opportunity, and athlete empowerment. The Oregonian highlights Ellery Lincoln's signing with Nike and Josiah Tostenson's achievements, portraying these events positively to emphasize the success of local athletes and the benefits of NIL deals. In contrast, ABC 7 Chicago presents Tyler Morris's charitable donation as a heartwarming narrative, using emotionally charged language to illustrate the positive impact on needy families, showcasing a community-focused lens. WTVG Ohio and University Business report on Ohio's emerging NIL legislation in more neutral tones, focusing on advancements in athlete compensation, but with a slight promotional edge that underscores Ohio's competitive stance in college sports. The Minneapolis Star Tribune provides a celebratory portrayal of Paige Bueckers designing her own Nike shoe, utilizing enthusiastic and empowering language to highlight her groundbreaking achievement. Meanwhile, DeadSpin and Entrepreneur Magazine introduce a hint of cultural narrative in their discussions of Flau'jae Johnson's equity deal and Jake Retzlaff's heritage partnership, focusing on representation and social identity. Finally, The Coloradoan frames the Snoop Dogg Bowl as an innovative model, appealing to broader fan engagement and financial incentive strategies. Overall, while there are clear celebration and empowerment themes across various sources, the depth of emotional resonance and community connection varies, reflecting the evolving landscape of NIL agreements and athlete visibility.

About This Module

The U.S. Media module tracks a broad range of American media sources, including major television, cable, print, and online organizations.

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Sources

Sources by Type
Sources of these types represent most of the amplification activity around this narrative
sources by Volume
These sources are amplifying the most items involved in this narrative. Click to see details of each source's narrative activity.
Top sources
Day-by-day volumetric activity of sources amplifying the most items around this narrative
Outkick
6% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
ESPN
4% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
DeadSpin
4% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
Heavy
2% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
2% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
Boston.Com
2% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
Fox News
2% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
Arizona Daily Star
2% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
Oregonian
2% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
Honolulu Star-Advertiser
2% of the items in this brief were amplified by this source.
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Top Items

These narrative items are the most relevant and/or the most amplified. Click to see details and suggested messages.
Amplifiers:
Oregonian
oregonlive.com
Ellery Lincoln signs name, image and likeness deal with Nike
Ellery Lincoln, a runner, has signed a name, image, and likeness deal with Nike. This is reported alongside standard website terms of service and copyright information.
Amplifiers:
ABC 7 Chicago
abc7chicago.com
College football champion donates thousands in name, image and likeness money to Plainfield families
University of Michigan national champion and Plainfield East High School alumnus Tyler Morris donated $3,000 in NIL money to over 40 needy families in his former school district. The gift cards will help with food, necessities, and holiday gifts.
Amplifiers:
WTVG Ohio
13abc.com
Bill to update Ohio’s NIL laws nears finish line
Ohio's NIL bill, nearing completion, will allow universities to directly compensate student-athletes, complementing existing rules allowing third-party endorsements. This update aims to protect athletes and provide deserved compensation, building on a recent governor's order and NCAA settlement.
Amplifiers:
Oregonian
oregonlive.com
Crater’s Josiah Tostenson signs NIL deal with New Balance
Crater High's Josiah Tostenson, a highly successful distance runner, signed a NIL deal with New Balance. A three-time state champion committed to the University of Washington, Tostenson's achievements include a national record in the distance medley relay and consistent top finishes in state competitions.
Amplifiers:
Minneapolis Star Tribune
startribune.com
Paige Bueckers makes NIL first with Nike shoe featuring a Minnesota connection
Paige Bueckers, a UConn basketball star, is the first college athlete to design her own Nike shoe under NIL rules. Her custom Nike G.T. Hustle 3 features Minnesota and UConn details, reflecting her background and a personal motto. The shoe releases December 7th.
Amplifiers:
DeadSpin
deadspin.com
Deadspin | Unrivaled signs LSU star Flau'jae Johnson to NIL deal
Unrivaled, a new women's 3-on-3 basketball league, signed LSU star Flau'jae Johnson to an NIL deal. Johnson, along with UConn's Paige Bueckers, will receive equity stakes but won't play in the inaugural season. The deal includes promotional content for the league.
Amplifiers:
Entrepreneur Magazine
entrepreneur.com
BYU Quarterback Jake Retzlaff Signs Manischewitz NIL Deal | Entrepreneur
BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff, one of only three Jewish students at the university, signed an NIL deal with Manischewitz. The deal includes special matzo boxes and social media promotion, celebrating Retzlaff's heritage and his success as the first Jewish quarterback at BYU. The partnership excludes Manischewitz wine due to BYU's strict code of conduct.
Amplifiers:
The Coloradoan
coloradoan.com
Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl an NIL opportunity for CSU football players
The 2024 Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl offers participating college football players a unique NIL deal, paying them for participation. This innovative approach, a first for the NCAA, aims to combat bowl opt-outs and incentivize player involvement, with Snoop Dogg himself endorsing the initiative. CSU will face Miami (Ohio) on December 28th.
Amplifiers:
Black America Web
blackamericaweb.com
35 Photos Of NIL Sensation & Bombshell LSU Gymnast, Livvy Dunne
LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne is a social media sensation and highly successful NIL athlete. Her charm, talent, and relationships have garnered millions of followers and lucrative endorsements. Dunne's impact extends beyond gymnastics, establishing her as a prominent influencer.
Amplifiers:
University Business
universitybusiness.com
Ohio lawmakers approve NIL changes that allow universities to pay student athletes
Ohio lawmakers passed a bill permitting universities to directly compensate student-athletes for name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights. This follows a $2.78 billion settlement allowing such payments, enhancing Ohio's competitiveness in college sports recruiting.
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Themes

Tap or click for details
These adjacent themes are currently being amplified along with the main narrative. Click to see details of narrative activity related to each one.
College Football Preseason Rankings
Georgia leads the Top 25 poll with representation from major conferences and no Group of Five teams.
Belichick's UNC Interview
Despite interviewing for the head coaching position at the University of North Carolina, Bill Belichick is unlikely to take the job.
Oregon's Cornerback Prospects
Oregon's recruiting class is bolstered by three elite cornerback prospects, while Michigan's coach highlights the significance of quarterback Bryce Underwood's decision to stay in-state.
USC's Athletic Revenue Sharing
Since April, USC's athletic department has been working on revenue-sharing models while facing unresolved questions about distribution and the impact of NIL collectives before the expected implementation in July 2025.
Cruz prioritizes college sports reform
With the Republican Congress, Ted Cruz plans to prioritize a college sports bill, criticizing Democrats for inaction on necessary reforms.
Preventing student-athletes from becoming school employees
Tim Buckley of the NCAA expresses optimism about Congress addressing student-athlete employment issues while aiming to prevent them from being classified as school employees.
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Entities

Tap or click for details
These entities are mentioned most frequently in the narratives highlighted in this brief. Click to see details of narrative activity related to each one.
People
Ellery Lincoln
A runner who signed a name, image, and likeness deal with Nike.
Tyler Morris
University of Michigan national champion who donated $3,000 in NIL money to needy families.
Josiah Tostenson
A distance runner and three-time state champion who signed a NIL deal with New Balance.
Paige Bueckers
UConn basketball star and the first college athlete to design her own Nike shoe.
Flau'jae Johnson
LSU star who signed an NIL deal with the new women's 3-on-3 basketball league, Unrivaled.
Jake Retzlaff
BYU quarterback and the first Jewish quarterback at the university who signed an NIL deal with Manischewitz.
Livvy Dunne
LSU gymnast and social media sensation known for her NIL success.
Snoop Dogg
Rapper endorsing the 2024 Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl's unique NIL deal.
People
Ellery Lincoln
A runner who signed a name, image, and likeness deal with Nike.
Tyler Morris
University of Michigan national champion who donated $3,000 in NIL money to needy families.
Josiah Tostenson
A distance runner and three-time state champion who signed a NIL deal with New Balance.
Paige Bueckers
UConn basketball star and the first college athlete to design her own Nike shoe.
Flau'jae Johnson
LSU star who signed an NIL deal with the new women's 3-on-3 basketball league, Unrivaled.
Jake Retzlaff
BYU quarterback and the first Jewish quarterback at the university who signed an NIL deal with Manischewitz.
Livvy Dunne
LSU gymnast and social media sensation known for her NIL success.
Snoop Dogg
Rapper endorsing the 2024 Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl's unique NIL deal.

Context

The landscape of college athletics in the United States is undergoing significant transformation, particularly with the introduction of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. These agreements allow student-athletes to monetize their personal brand, reflecting broader social and economic shifts. Demographically, this change benefits a diverse range of athletes, including those from underrepresented backgrounds, as seen with Jake Retzlaff, the first Jewish quarterback at BYU, who has leveraged his heritage for a unique endorsement.

Economically, NIL deals provide financial support to athletes, which can be crucial for those from low-income families. Tyler Morris's donation of NIL earnings to needy families exemplifies the potential for athletes to give back to their communities. Politically, states like Ohio are adapting legislation to ensure fair compensation for student-athletes, enhancing their competitive edge in recruiting. This legislative shift is a response to growing advocacy for athlete rights and the recent NCAA settlement that allows for such compensation.

Geographically, the impact of NIL deals varies across states, with some like Ohio leading the charge in legislative support. This creates a patchwork of regulations that can influence where athletes choose to attend school. National security considerations are less directly related but can be inferred in the context of how sports and education intersect with broader societal values, including equity and opportunity.

Overall, the evolution of NIL deals represents a significant shift in the college sports landscape, addressing long-standing issues of athlete compensation and representation while fostering a new era of financial empowerment for student-athletes.
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