NIL Partnerships are Extending Personal Branding Opportunities to Non-Athletic Students With Unique Talents

 

The advent of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) laws in collegiate sports means personal branding is not only for social media influencers or big-time celebrities anymore. The landscape of personal branding is becoming increasingly democratized. This is particularly significant on college campuses where, beyond athletes, non-athletic personalities have an opportunity to market themselves, too. The various disciplines of talent they display is also a chance for them to increase their stock value in the eyes of future employers or sponsors. 

The key, however, is the role of marketing directors who can offer assistance in shaping these unique talents to broader interest and even more sponsorship deals. But the responsibility is on both ends. The students must be proactive, continuously updating their digital selves, showcasing their skills, and engaging with their audience. The idea that anyone can be a brand is not new, but it’s a concept that’s gaining serious traction in academic settings. 

Leigh Steinberg is an Adjunct Professor at Concordia University Irvine and a renowned sports agent. He has years of expertise in the fields of branding and marketing spanning nearly five decades. Steinberg is Chairman of the Board at Steinberg Sports & Entertainment, which he has led since 1975. Sports law is his specialty in teaching at several institutions. 

He briefly explained how non-athlete students can also gain ground in obtaining NIL deals. With the Midwestern convenience store chain, Kwik Trip, recently partnering with University of Wisconsin–Madison marching band student, Will Hazeltine, Steinberg mentioned how this just the latest in similar non-athlete NIL deals to come.

Steinberg’s Thoughts on Personal Branding

“As the field of NIL expands, it’s inevitable that there will be non-athletic personalities on college campuses who, much like influencers in different areas, can again take advantage of logo and branding to be marketed. So, it could be a member of the marching band, it could be a dramatic arts major, it could be anyone as long as they have interesting content and that high profile of partnership with Kwik Trip and Will Hazeltine is a harbinger of things to come because, again, you have alumni groups that have a special interest in highlighting athletes and keeping them on campus, but they also have an interest in other students who may have something unique to share.

“And brand can be extended to any student on a campus, and if they’re working with a marketing director, that person can help them put together the best website, the best content. They need to be constantly posting, but this marketing branding craze can hit any interesting individual.”

Article written by Alexandra Simon.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Latest

small businesses and cybersecurity
When it Comes to Small Businesses and Cybersecurity, Doing Little Things Right Can Reduce Vulnerabilities
September 22, 2023

When addressing small businesses and cybersecurity, there is an issue: How to make these networks less vulnerable to attack when budget and resources aren’t always available. Small businesses often face unique cybersecurity challenges. According to a report by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), 88% of small business owners feel vulnerable to cyberattacks. These […]

Read More
What Are The Signs and Symptoms of Drought Stress
What Are The Signs and Symptoms of Drought Stress
September 22, 2023

Drought Stress In this enlightening video, TreeNewal’s Wes Rivers and ArborJet’s Emmett Muennink discuss the complex relationship between trees, drought stress, and environmental conditions. Drawing from personal experiences and observations, the experts highlights the challenges faced in explaining the effects of drought stress on tree health to customers. Through a detailed explanation, the […]

Read More
interview
Let’s talk Data, AI and more with Chief Product & Technology Officer, Sunil Sharma
September 22, 2023

Sunil took the center stage at FWTV for an exclusive interview on the renowned “What the Truck” Podcast. Sunil’s presence and insightful remarks about data, AI, and their convergence to deliver the best supply chain solutions truly captured the attention of the audience. His expertise and vision showcased our commitment to innovation and staying at […]

Read More