Mizzou Athletics Enhances NIL Program

COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri Athletics announced a continuing evolution to its Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) program, including a Tigers-specific Opendorse marketplace, enhanced educational programing and the creation of an in-house team to work directly in the NIL space.

Mizzou is grateful to state lawmakers for the recently signed amendments to Missouri’s NIL law (SB 718), which now allows state institutions to assist student-athletes in maximizing NIL opportunities. 

Originally signed into law on July 13, 2021, the state’s NIL law has been amended to permit members of the University, including coaches, to assist in seeking out third-party NIL deals. Coaches and University officials cannot receive compensation for this work, nor serve as representation to student-athletes nor attend meetings between the student-athletes and the third-party. Additionally, Mizzou Athletics will be required to provide yearly financial development education to its student-athletes.

“We are grateful to our state legislators for their continued support of our student-athletes,” Director of Athletics Desireé Reed-Francois said. “As an institution, we will help our Tigers maximize NIL opportunities within the framework of the updated legislation and NCAA rules. We look forward to collaborating with our University partners and providing a new NIL-related educational curriculum which is unique to Mizzou.”

As a result of the updated NIL legislation, Mizzou Athletics will create an in-house team to oversee NIL activities. This effort will be spearheaded with the creation of a new position – Assistant Athletics Director for Name, Image and Likeness. In addition, the department will create NIL-specific roles in graphic design and creative video. 

A new educational component – a three-day NIL experiential learning program for Tigers student-athletes – will consist of a partnership between Athletics, the Griggs Innovators Nexus, Missouri School of Journalism, School of Law and Trulaske College of Business. 

“Our NIL educational curriculum will focus on experiential learning for our student-athletes,” Rachel Blunt, Senior Associate AD / Student-Athlete Development & Championship Performance said. “As we continue to develop our holistic student-athlete experience, this program will be a foundational piece of our NIL plan moving forward. We have had great collaboration with several schools on campus and we will continue to develop additional learning opportunities to provide our student-athletes with the resources they need to be successful at Mizzou and beyond.” 

With the ever-evolving nature of NIL, Mizzou has positioned itself with industry leaders to take part in new, innovative initiatives which will benefit student-athletes.

WHAT’S NEXT?

• Mizzou and Opendorse will launch a Tigers-specific marketplace to give fans, brands, donors and sponsors an easier path to connect with potential Mizzou student-athlete partners. 
• Missouri is among a group of schools selected to partner with Topps and Fanatics for a first-ever NIL trading card program, featuring the Tigers’ elite student-athletes. 
• Customized Nike jerseys for current football student-athletes will be available for purchase for the first time, thanks to a partnership with the Fanatics and OneTeam Partners co-branded player jersey program. Jerseys will be available for purchase prior to the 2022 season and players will be compensated for each sale.
• Athletics and its educational program partners will collaborate on future experiential learning opportunities for student-athletes with career interests in business, content creation, journalism and law, along with Athletics providing hands-on learning for students in the colleges who are interested in careers in athletics.  

Stay tuned for more details on all these initiatives.

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