- Sports Court: NIL Newsletter
- Posts
- Sports Court #52 | NIL is Rockin
Sports Court #52 | NIL is Rockin
The fastest 3 minutes in name, image and likeness
Tariq Ahmad
July 21, 2023
Thank you for your continued support of this newsletter. Please share with anyone who would be interested in this content.
Today’s Case
ZOA Energy unveils NIL program “The Rock’s Warriors” featuring athletes personally selected by The Rock
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (Photo Credit: Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports)
ZOA Energy, the better-for-you energy drink founded by the former WWE Superstar, is unveiling an all-new annual program, “The Rock’s Warriors,” which features the brand’s first set of NIL deals with seven college athletes. Johnson personally selected each athlete for their optimism, enthusiasm and commitment to striving for something bigger.
As part of this partnership, “The Rock’s Warriors” will lead an upcoming marketing campaign for the energy drink and create content across social media platforms. Together, this group will also support national and regional retail partnerships and philanthropic events across the country on behalf of ZOA.
Athletes include:
Brock Bowers (Georgia football)
Hansel Enmanuel (Austin Peay men’s basketball)
Amaya Gainer (Florida A&M softball)
Marvin Harrison Jr. (Ohio State football)
Kam Kinchens (Miami football)
Drake Maye (UNC football)
Angel Reese (LSU women’s basketball)
Johnson: “Through this first-of-its kind NIL expansion program, ZOA Energy will bring together some of the greatest college athletes of our time. I know from experience the grit and hard work that’s required of these college athletes to get the job done. Not just during their championship games or in the classrooms, but every day in the game of life. That’s why I’m super pumped about uniting all of The Rock’s Warriors under one roof.”
The Verdict:
In typical Rock fashion, he’s entering the NIL game in a big way
By not only leveraging his energy drink company to break into the space, but using big name athletes such as Angel Reese and Marvin Harrison, Jr., Johnson is intending to develop a game-changing program.
Additionally, with the several bigtime college stars as part of the program, curious if only other bigtime athletes will be part of the program going forward.
Not sure if this is offered, but business and leadership mentoring from Johnson would be extremely beneficial
Given Johnson’s rise from being cut from a CFL team with only seven dollars in his pocket to becoming a pro wrestling and Hollywood superstar, he has a wealth of business knowledge that he can share with these athletes.
In turn, the athletes now have a direct line to Johnson, and should every opportunity to develop a relationship with him to learn about building a business, growing their brand, overcoming obstacles, etc.
Will more big name athletes follow suit into the NIL world?
Given that Johnson played football at the University of Miami, interested to see if other athletes (current or retired) will delve into the NIL space to support current college athletes.
By lending their star power, financial backing and brand relationships, I hope to see more of this in the near future.
NIL is only in the first inning
The space is just getting started, according to NBC Sports SVP Damon Phillips. Watch this video for more!
Reply