Thursday December 7, 2023

Building the Momentum

  • When the Olympics fade from the news cycle, Olympians in college will still have their increased followings, fan bases, and hopefully more competition and accolades.
  • But they’ll also have to stay relevant enough to keep making money off NIL when their sports don’t enjoy the same spotlight as in an Olympic year.
Photo: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY/Design: Alex Brooks
Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

When the Olympics fade from the news cycle, Olympians in college will still have their increased followings, their fan bases, and hopefully more competition and accolades.

But they’ll also have to make sure they stay relevant enough to keep making money off NIL when their sports don’t enjoy the same spotlight as in an Olympic year.

Keeping it Real

In order to “stay relevant,” athletes should keep posting on social, Anand said. What’s more, they should start sharing more of their off-field lives — if they haven’t already. 

“Some athletes post a lot of pictures of them on the track with their medals,” Anand said. “It’s just really important for athletes to show their personal side.” That’s because brands are looking for “authentic” connections between their products and athletes’ interests. 

For example, an athlete who frequently posts photos with their children may draw the interest of brands looking to market to mothers interested in fitness.

Brenkus said that momentum comes from “aligning yourself with the right people.” Making sure a brand is “reflective of who you are as a person” will last longer than “chasing dollars.”

Ripple Effect?

Olympians heading to college campuses could help the NIL earning potential of their teammates, too. 

An Olympian could boost ticket sales and viewership as well as teammates’ social media followings, Anand said. Plus, a brand doing a deal with an Olympian could realize it wants to partner with the athlete’s teammates.

In other words, maybe Suni Lee’s stint at Auburn can help the squad rival UCLA’s potential NIL power.

Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Indigenous Lacrosse Team at Olympics? White House Backing Push for Solo Squad

Bid to include Haudenosaunee in upcoming competition garners widespread support.
Five professional sports labor unions have endorse college athletes becoming employees.

Five Pro Sports Unions Endorse College Athlete Employment

The MLBPA, NFLPA, NBPA, NHLPA, and MLSPA weighed in.
Tokyo-Olympics

Two Years After Tokyo’s $13B Olympics: Criminal Charges

Trial begins in bid-rigging scandal further marring already troubled Games.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Why the NBA May Have Made Billions With Midseason Tournament

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

The College Football Playoff is considering rotating TV networks for the national championship game.

CFP Considers Super Bowl-Like Rotation For National Championship Game

Multiple networks could share rights to the championship game, sources told FOS.
Brett Favre
November 27, 2023

Favre Welfare Case Hold-Up? "AG’s Office Has Not Expressed Interest In Pursuing"

The DOJ interviewed Brett Favre in early 2020.
The future of the Pac-12 rests on a court decision.
November 24, 2023

The Pac-12 Plays Its Final Regular-Season Game. Then A Court Decides Its Fate.

The conference's future rests with a court decision.
Lane Kiffin
November 9, 2023

Ole Miss, Lane Kiffin Lawyers Argue for Dismissal of Player Lawsuit

FOS obtained audio of Lane Kiffin's interaction with the player behind lawsuit.

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
FanDuel
Multiple Locations
Adidas
Multiple Locations
Creative Artists Agency
Multiple Locations
NCAA President Charlie Baker has proposed new rules that would allow athletes to receive more compensation.

New NCAA Proposal Takes Step Toward Compensating Athletes

It does not allow athletes to become employees, however.
December 3, 2023

After Unbeaten FSU’s Snub, Financial and Legal Fallout

FSU, ACC to take sizable revenue hit despite Seminoles' undefeated season.
JMU football has been spending like a Group of 5 team for years. Now it will play its first bowl game.
December 4, 2023

James Madison, the FCS Team That Spent Like an FBS Team To Become One

The Dukes have been spending like a Sun Belt program for years.
Sponsored

NHL’s Chris Foster on Amplifying Content Distribution With Automation

Learn how the NHL is using WSC Sports to increase fan engagement.
Florida lawmakers already have an appetite to propose state legislation to protest Florida State not making the College Football Playoff.
December 3, 2023

Florida Lawmakers Consider Protesting Florida State CFP Omission

It's unclear what form a bill would take.
December 1, 2023

TV Networks Are Programming College Football’s Future: What’s Next

Conference championship weekends will have a different feel in the future.
A lawsuit against the university of Oregon could dictate the future of Title IX and NIL.
December 1, 2023

New Lawsuit Could Decide Whether NIL Is Subject To Title IX

It's one of the biggest unanswered questions of the NIL era.