Athletics introduces NIL deal to athletes
exas A&M University-Kingsville has officially integrated their athletes getting paid along with the experience of playing a sport here at the university. The sports merchandise company Influxer came to speak to the student-athletes about NIL deals this spring and now, dozens of Javelinas have signed to Influxer, being the first Division II school to partner with the company.
“It’s a great feeling knowing that there’s possible financial opportunities that come with the hard work and intense schedule of being a student athlete,” All-Conference running back Christian Anderson said. “I think it’s a good thing and I’m glad things like this are becoming more common and giving athletes like myself another possible stepping stone.”
The deal with Influxer is an agreement that requires little to no work on all parties involved, campus, Influxer and student-athletes. It is also one of the few NIL deals in which international student-athletes can participate and not jeopardize their F-1 status because of the income obtained from the merchandise sales they are considered passive.
“Influxer works with the campus to obtain the appropriate licensing for marks and logos,” Director of Compliance Hanna Lantz said. “Once that was obtained, we have our student-athletes sign a contract with Influxer to essentially obtain merchandising rights, the student-athletes can work with the company to design their gear and then advertise it on social media.”
Influxer takes care of the merchandise agreement, production, shipping of the gear; doing all the heavy lifting, so that student-athletes can focus on school and sports.
Collegiate players across the country have signed these deals and have earned thousands, some millions, of dollars for their name, image and likeness. These deals were brought into play in July 2021 when the NCAA saw fit to allow athletes to have this opportunity to earn money as they play for the university of his or her choice. Now with TAMUK offering these same opportunities as other Division I programs, it gives the athletes a chance to leave college with more than nothing to their name.
“We see this as a great opportunity for our student athletes,” Athletic Director Steven Roach sasid. “We are happy as an institution that they will have the opportunity to pursue these agreements if they choose to during their time her