By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
@LonnPhillips
In the same week of National Signing Day, where LSU's NIL shortcomings cost them a homegrown 5 star at the hands of rivals A&M, the program wasted no time unveiling a major NILSU victory which could start to turn the tables within the "Wild West Money Talks" battleground of college football.
Unleashing a partnership with Fanatics and One Team, LSU are teaming up alongside their players in a business deal unlike any of the NIL era: helping players earn substantial financial gain from jerseys sporting their name, image and likeness.
Though personalized jerseys have often been a thorn in the side of player-earner advocates, viewing their official or secondary market sales as "ripping off student athletes", LSU are moving ahead of everyone else, becoming the first college program to end the unfair, long time sale of jerseys without compensating the very players who's names adorn them.
Malaika Underwood, SVP of Licensing at OneTeam Partners said in a statement: “What a moment for LSU! In less than 24 hours, the Tigers became the first football team to fully opt-in to the Fanatics player jersey program. OneTeam couldn’t be more excited for LSU athletes. We look forward to making this a reality for so many more athletes across the country. There is no question that LSU athletes understand their collective value, and they were ready to take advantage of the opportunity. There have been a lot of headlines in the last seven months, but this one is worth noting.”
It's a huge move, sitting right under the noses of every program in America, yet only LSU are striking first on a simple, yet potentially devastating blow to Alabama, Georgia, A&M, Florida and other chief rivals.
At the same time, LSU are giving their student athletes the true power of the operation, and the players are already utilizing their vast social media reach for maximum financial benefit.
“This is a historic day in college athletics, and we’re proud and pleased to bring the storied tradition of LSU Football to the forefront of the sport through co-branded, licensed football jerseys,” Director of Athletics Scott Woodward told Michael Bonnette.
“For the first time ever, fans will be able to purchase authentic jerseys of their favorite LSU Tigers, and student-athletes will directly benefit from every sale. We cannot wait to see our jerseys on the sidelines and in the stands inside Tiger Stadium next season, and we eagerly anticipate additional player co-branded products for our student-athletes across all sports.”
It's just the start of the tables turning in favor of NILSU, as Scott Woodward's crew hit the ground running fast on improving LSU's name, image and likeness status.
By LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
@LonnPhillips
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