UConn Hires Company To Guide Athletes Through Endorsements

STORRS, CT — UConn Athletics announced Tuesday that it has partnered with Opendorse to support student athletes who wish to pursue endorsement opportunities. The announcement comes one day after the university's name, image and likeness policy went into effect.

Under the policy, athletes are prohibited from signing deals that link pay with their performance, participation or remaining enrolled at the university. Athletes are also banned from endorsing tobacco companies, alcoholic beverages, marijuana companies, adult entertainment and casinos that promote gambling activities. Among other things, the policy also bans athletes from performing any service or activity associated with an endorsement contract or employment activity that interferes with any official team activities. To view the policy in its entirety, click here.

Based in Lincoln, Nebraska, Opendorse is a sports technology company that maximizes endorsement value for athletes. According to the company, more than 40,000 athletes around the world use its platform to understand, build, protect and monetize their brands.

"The landscape of college athletics has changed dramatically over the last several years and Opendorse has been a leading visionary throughout its existence," director of athletics David Benedict said in news release. "I am excited about partnering with Opendorse as we seek to provide our student-athletes with education and support should they endeavor to monetize their name, image and likeness."

With the Opendorse platform, UConn athletes will be able to take advantage of custom brand value assessments, live consultation sessions with industry leaders, and on-demand access to the NIL Masterclass, an education series featuring experts on brand building, monetization and financial literacy from leading brands. Athletes will also be able to protect and build their brand with the company's compliance and marketing products.

Other universities already using Opendorse's services include Clemson University, Ohio State University, Louisiana State University, University of South Carolina, Florida State University and many more.

Every NCAA athlete in the country can currently make money from endorsements after the NCAA's board of directors adopted a uniform interim policy last month suspending NCAA name, image and likeness rules for all incoming and current student athletes in all sports.

“With the variety of state laws adopted across the country, we will continue to work with Congress to develop a solution that will provide clarity on a national level. The current environment — both legal and legislative — prevents us from providing a more permanent solution and the level of detail student-athletes deserve," NCAA President Mark Emmert said in a news release.

Division III Presidents Council chair Fayneese Miller, president at Hamline, said the NCAA will continue to work with Congress to develop a national law that will help colleges and universities, student-athletes and their families better navigate the name, image and likeness landscape.

The temporary policy will remain in place until federal legislation or new NCAA rules are adopted. With the NIL interim policy, schools and conferences may choose to adopt their own additional policies, according to the NCAA.