The doors to a new era of college sports officially opened this week. For the first time, all NCAA athletes are now able to make money from a wide variety of business ventures without losing their eligibility. So let the endorsements, magazine spreads, social media posts and more begin!
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Now that the rules have been changed, agencies across the world are being flooded with emails from student athletes wanting agents to sign them to handle their business deals. One agency, The Block Agency, which handles modelling contracts and athletic photoshoots / commercials for companies such as Dick’s, Adidas, Russell Athletic, FILA, Saucony and more, has seen non-stop requests come in. Mark Block, the President/Owner of the agency tells us directly:
“Our current roster of actors and models have had to portray college-aged athletes, as real college athletes could not make money in these gigs. Now that they are able we would like to supplement our roster with true college athletes for sports and fitness bookings. Additionally, we work on many films and tv shows and there are many roles portraying athletes. Many college athletes over the years reached out because they truly wanted to just model or act and due to NCAA rules they were not allowed, now they can pursue these passions.”
The agency’s partner company that handles other types of deals, Elite Athlete Management, already represents over 30 NFL players, as well as NBA players and other sports. Some of Elite’s highest profile athletes include Odell Beckham Jr, Danielle Hunter, Christian Kirk, DeeJay Dallas, Byron Murphy Jr and more. With decades of marketing experience for professional athletes, these sister agencies are poised to help the student athletes navigate this new world that allows them to capitalize and monetize their name, image and likeness.
Zack Teperman, President of ZTPR, a top public relations firm in the U.S. that works with pro athletes and events like the Super Bowl, has also seen his inbox flooded with requests for meetings by student athletes wanting to now boost their image in the press so that they can then secure endorsement deals and social media paid posts.
He tells us:
“It’s been a wild day with people reaching out! Student athletes used to be worried about hiring a publicist, but with the change, the ones who may not have the skill to go pro are wanting the attention on them even more now so they can boost their profile for other types of paid opportunities while still playing in school.”
Whether these student athletes go on to make millions in the pros after school is yet to be seen, but at least now these students can follow their passions in other areas while making money to support themselves and families. It’s a bright new day in sports, and athletes everywhere couldn’t be happier by this news from the NCAA!
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