Minnesota Gopher’s football players have just announced that they are launching the Twin Cities NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) Club. Their website states that this will be a player-led fan community that benefits members of the University’s football team.
In July of 2021, the NCAA made a policy change that allows athletes to make money off of their name, image, or likeness. Several states were pushing such legislation and the NCAA was forced to make the change to create a uniform set of rules for college athletes. This is a stopgap measure until federal legislation governing NIL is passed. The US Senate is currently debating this legislation.
NIL Cub Benefits
The club formed by the Gophers players has stated in a press release that the club will allow fans to access and support players like never before. The benefits of joining the club include:
- Meet-and-greet with the team
- Annual NIL Cub members-only tailgate party
- Online community to engage with players
- Access to player-created content
1000 Twin Cities NIL Club digital access passes will become available this month. Each pass will cost $199. The proceeds will benefit every team member that is participating. The players are working with Yoke Gaming to handle the infrastructure for the club. Yoke is already representing player clubs from Michigan State and Notre Dame as they seek NIL riches.
Player Involvement
One of the members of the Gophers club, Tanner Morgan explains it this way: “We have always known that we have some of the best fans in the nation. Now we get to show the fans that we care.” In addition, Minnesota’s compliance officer, Jeremiah Carter stated: “The University established its NIL policy to provide guidance and put up as few barriers as possible on what student-athletes can take advantage of in this new frontier of college sports.”
Other Gophers players who are joining Morgan in this endeavor include Trey Bixby, Chuck Filiaga, Preston Jelen, Jah Joyner, Gage Keys, Cade McConnell, Braden Oliver, and Ryan Stapp. All of the players involved in the club share the proceeds equally.