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Today’s Case

Collectives affiliated with Cincinnati and Iowa athletics partner with local brewing companies

Unexpected sources are partnering with respective collectives to benefit athletes for their name, image and likeness.

• The Swarm Collective and Exile Brewing Company embark on a unique partnership to launch the custom brewed “SWARM Golden Ale,” where 20% of the revenue from sales will be donated to the collective for Iowa student-athletes.

• Rhinegeist, Cincinnati’s largest craft brewery, announced plans to debut its first light beer ahead of college football season, with $1 from every 12-pack of cans sold and $13 from every keg of Cincy Light sold to bars and restaurants going to the Cincy Reigns collective, benefitting Cincinnati student-athletes.

Additionally, Cincy Reigns can offer a compensation package to a UC athlete in exchange for the player agreeing to do work such as autograph appearances, youth camps and speaking engagements.

The Verdict:

• Win-Win-Win

  • The athletes are NOT promoting the beer (as student-athletes promoting alcohol is prohibited by the NCAA)

  • Athletes receive monetary benefits of products sold

  • Collectives uses those funds to support more NIL opportunities for athletes

• This proves the value of collectives

  • Since a school and athletes cannot promote alcohol, this deal probably does not get done without the partnership of a collective.

    • By using this third party not affiliated with a university but works with athletes of said schools, this allows athletes to cash-in for minimal work (autograph signings, meet and greet, etc.)

• Perhaps this is a gateway to NIL deals for other prohibited products/services (to an extent)

  • Sports betting and casinos? Maybe - but this will vary on a state-by-state basis.

    • For example: Gonzaga men’s basketball star Drew Timme signed an NIL deal in 2021 with Northern Quest Resort and Casino in Washington state, so it’s not entirely out of the question to see more casino partnerships with athletes in the future.

  • Adult entertainment and assault weapons? Definitely not.

EA Sports to allow FBS players to opt-in to 2024 video game!

Nearly 10 years after O’Bannon v. NCAA, college football players can finally cash in on their digital likeness. Head over to YouTube for more!

Question of the Day

Would you buy beer or related alcohol products that supports NIL?

• Yes

• No

Vote on the Sports Court Instagram Story and comment below.

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Court is adjourned. Go be great!!