Three Examples of Student-Athletes Who Became NIL Entrepreneurs
(Feb. 3rd, 2024) - In the era of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), student-athletes aren’t just excelling in their sports—they’re proving to be innovative entrepreneurs as well. From launching clothing brands to publishing books, these athletes are leveraging their platforms to build businesses and sell products that extend beyond their playing careers. While NIL deals often bring to mind brand sponsorships and social media partnerships, some athletes are taking it a step further—creating and selling something of their own. Here’s a look at three student-athletes who turned their NIL opportunities into successful business ventures.
Athlete: Trey Stewart
School(s): BYU
Sport: Men’s Basketball
Business Created: Default Happiness
Industry: Apparel
Learn More: Default Happiness: How BYU freshman guard Trey Stewart is blazing trails by building a business - Deseret News
Athlete: Emily Cole
School(s): Duke
Sport: Women’s Track and Field
Product Created: The Players’ Plate
Industry: Book Publishing
Learn More: Writing Books to Viral Videos: Emily Cole Gets Creative with NIL - Opendorse
Athlete: Hendon Hooker
School(s): Tennessee
Sport: Football
Business Created: The ABCs of Scripture for Athletes
Industry: Book Publishing
Learn More: The story behind Tennessee Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker’s faith-based children’s book - Daily News Journal
NIL is opening doors for student-athletes to become entrepreneurs, and we know these three aren’t the only ones! If you know a student-athlete who has used NIL to create and sell their own product or launch a business, please let us know. Reach out to us at here and let us know who we should add!