A Tale of Two Florida NIL Deals Gone Right

It's nice to see the Sunshine State's athletes and athletic programs in a positive light.

Unfortunately, some of the earliest negative deals and headlines in the #NIL world seemed to originate in Florida, with the Jaden Rashada saga being the penultimate example. But lately, something in my state's water has changed, and the push for #NILforsocialgood seems to be in full stride.

We have two prominent examples of athletes showing their generosity and ability to utilize NIL deals to help their fellow athletes. We'll call it "Good" vs. "Better."

THE GOOD

Under the "Good" category, University of Miami quarterback (and eventual New York Jet but we're never that lucky) Cam Ward made a stunning donation to each of his offensive lineman. Customized diamond encrusted chains valued at an estimated $2 million. Clearly a generous gift for the guys tasked with keeping him upright and safe during his playing career, but was it the right gift?

No, probably not.

In fairness, the linesmen may disagree, but you know what would have been meaningful?

An IRA in the same dollar amount.

A trust established in each of the player's names.

A special purpose vehicle (SPV) whereby they all could have invested in a business together.

There is a difference between investing in the moment, versus investing in a lifetime.

Any type of financial investment could have had profound effects on these linesmen's futures- especially if they don't end up going pro. In many cases, given their age, this had the ability to become the basis of generational wealth. Additionally, it would have been a tremendous opportunity for Mr. Ward to show his maturity and leadership abilities ahead of the NFL draft.

THE BETTER

DJ Lagway, another Florida based quarterback (University of Florida) also made a gift with his NIL earnings. He made a six-figure donation to Florida Victorious, the University of Florida collective supporting Florida athletes. In this instance, the money was earmarked for women's sports, including gymnastics, softball, and volleyball.

This noble gesture was done in a spirit of camaraderie, with Lagway acknowledging the family that ALL the athletes make together. He recognized the equivalent effort the women spend in the gym, on the fields, and on the road, and that their NIL deals often don't reflect the same work ethic. Not to mention, with the pending House settlement and redistribution of capital which universities will soon be facing, many of these women's sports may face cuts or outright elimination, so the gift was especially meaningful and timely.

THE BEST

There is no single tried and true solution whereby NIL becomes "NIL for social good." There are plenty of stories of athletes utilizing the funds to help family members or struggling members within the community, and they need to be highlighted. The idea of giving back / paying it forward should become a commonplace approach to sharing NIL wealth. Jessica Nelson and the team at GoFundMe Charity have been exemplary in setting the standard for providing athletes with a readily available platform to capitalize on their reach for supporting others in need.

Recently, NILENT (NIL Enterprise Solutions) brought former Seattle Seahawk and now Tampa based Shaquem Griffin on board as Chief Inclusivity Officer. Shaquem's fierce dedication to fellow disabled athletes as an educator around opportunities to build their brand and engage with corporate sponsors is only the starting point. His focus on his RTH Foundation with a cornerstone in supporting a youth flag football league for underprivileged athletes is a way of building a passion for the sport and advocating for others for the next generation to come.

We salute the moves these Florida athletes have made when it comes to sharing NIL opportunities and applaud their fellow athletes who have followed suit. In a sea of often not so friendly NIL headlines, it's great to see the positive side of the NIL equation being spotlighted and we are proud to continue supporting education in this space.

Because NIL is not just about making a difference during the 4 years athletes are in school; it's about the positive effects which can be made for the 40 years thereafter.