New revenue potential

I recently did some research on recent deals and changes in the NIL landscape to add to the presentation.  One avenue for NIL money for student athletes that is gaining popularity is in collectibles.  For example, a Caitlin Clark trading card recently sold for $78,000.  With various avenues opening up for athletes to capitalize on their personal brand.  These different avenues also provide for more choice for athletes to choose from among the opportunities that they personally connect with.  

Collectives remain popular and are growing in both funds and scope.  For example, the Fresno State collective, Bulldog Bread, currently has more than 20 athletes on monthly stipends.  In exchange, the athletes have agree to promote the collective, affiliates, and partners.  Tuasivi Normura, a Fresno state linebacker spoke about the impact the collective has had for him personally.  He stated, “I think the collective has helped me out a lot—it puts extra money in my pocket so I can pay for groceries. I have a baby on the way, so it’s also helping me put some money aside to prepare for that.”  The concept of collectives allows multiple athletes to join forces and collectively promote themselves, affiliates, and partners in exchange for financial benefits. Normura's statement sheds light on the practical benefits of participating in such collectives, such as having extra income to cover essential expenses like groceries and preparing for major life events like impending parenthood.

Overall, the emergence of collectibles and collectives in the NIL landscape presents student-athletes with new and exciting opportunities to monetize their personal brand, secure financial stability, and actively engage with their fan base and community. As these trends continue to evolve, it will be crucial for student-athletes, universities, and stakeholders to navigate the legal and ethical implications of these arrangements to ensure that athletes can fully capitalize on their NIL rights in a fair and sustainable manner.