Thank you for your continued support of this newsletter. Please share with anyone who would be interested in this content.

Follow Sports Court on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube for more NIL content!

Today’s Case

Sporting KC launches Sporting U NIL Program featuring five student-athletes with local ties in Class of 2023

Sporting Kansas City announced the launch of the club’s Sporting U NIL Program featuring NIL agreements with five student-athletes having ties to the Kansas City area.

The athletes will receive a financial stipend for social media engagement as well as tickets for Sporting KC home matches and merchandise from SportingStyle. Additionally, the club’s investment in the NIL program includes further value for student-athletes through assistance with strategic marketing and brand building campaigns in addition to professional development resources, including mentorship and networking connections.

Sporting KC Vice President of Marketing Aaron Borns: “Sporting is proud to be the first professional team in Kansas City, and one of only a handful of major league sports organizations in the country, to offer NIL deals to student-athletes. We’re thrilled to welcome an inaugural class of Sporting U NIL Athletes who are all incredible representatives for the KC region and who are all fans of our club and our sport.”

The Verdict:

• Always great to see post-playing development of athletes via NIL

  • Optimal NIL deals not only include immediate benefits, but long-term relationships as well. Great to see Sporting KC provide just that for these athletes.

• Look for more MLS clubs (and pro sports teams in general) to follow suit

  • Charlotte FC was the first MLS team to execute an NIL deal, partnering with two North Carolina-based college soccer players in 2022.

    • This has carried over to MLB with the Chicago White Sox and Atlanta Braves, and I wouldn’t be surprised if more pro teams and leagues enter the NIL space.

• Love that these programs are more focused on local ties vs. sport-specific only

  • It’s a natural fit for MLS NIL programs to include soccer players, MLB programs to include baseball players, etc. but I applaud the fact that all of these programs to date also partner with non-specific sport athletes instead of sport-exclusive players.

    • This allows athletes from all sports to be part of a similar NIL program (regardless of sport/league) while gaining the numerous benefits offered, both during their college playing days and beyond.

Content ideas for back to school

Check out this video for three content tips that student-athletes can incorporate this school year.

Thank You for reading today’s newsletter

<sup>I discuss insights and news related to name, image and likeness in 3 minutes or less every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 12p ET/9a PT.

Please share with anyone who might be interested in this content.</sup>

Court is adjourned. Go be great!!