Utah Athletics Announces NIL Deal To Benefit All Student Athletes

SALT LAKE CITY –  Student athletes from all 20 University of Utah varsity sports will have additional opportunities to market themselves thanks to a new Name, Image and Likeness deal with The Brandr Group.

The Utah Athletics department announced the NIL deal with The Brandr Group on Thursday, January 6.

NEWS: Utah & @tbgusa
Launch Group Licensing for Student-Athletes.

>> https://t.co/0dYmcs39fz pic.twitter.com/vYyAH6IutQ

— Utah Athletics (@utahathletics) January 6, 2022

Utah Director of Athletics Mark Harlan said of the deal, “This partnership with The Brandr Group adds an important component that will expand those opportunities through group licensing and the use of University logos and marks, which will really maximize the way they are positioned to benefit as student-athletes at the University of Utah.”

In July 2021, NCAA rules changed to allow student athletes the chance to earn payment in exchange for the use of their names, images and likenesses. The dramatic change came after a series of lawsuits forced the NCAA’s hand when it came to the rights of student athletes.

NCAA rules still prohibit a school or its employees from from paying athletes directly for their NIL rights, hence the desire to bring in TBG as a third party.

Student athletes will have the option of joining the group licensing program.

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