Wednesday September 27, 2023

Campus Ink Is Paying College Athletes Like Social Media Influencers

  • Athletes make between $8-$15 per item that doesn’t retail above $60.
  • The model allows Campus Ink to compete with some of the most high-profile companies in the space.
Alex Martin/IndyStar
Front Office Sports Today

Taylor Swift Takes NFL to New Heights

Taylor Swift and her rumored relationship have brought in a new, more female-heavy audience.
Listen Now
September 27, 2023 | Podcast
Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

Campus Ink has developed an NIL merchandise program that pays players more like social media influencers than athletes.

The NIL stores, which sell customized T-shirts, crewnecks, and sweatshirts, compensate athletes between $8-$15 on items that are $60 or less, Campus Ink Director of Athlete Development and Partnerships Adam Cook told Front Office Sports. 

The model allows Campus Ink to compete with some of the most high-profile companies in the space.

Traditional group licensing deals pool a percentage of sales and distribute them to athletes, Cook said. Campus Ink, on the other hand, offers any funds above business costs to athletes on a per-item basis, like it would with social media influencers or other celebrities.

  • Fanatics and OneTeam Partners are paying less than $4 for a football jersey retailing at $140, Front Office Sports previously reported
  • The Brandr Group offers athletes about $10-$12 per item sold, roughly 10% of the jersey invoice price.
  • A Michigan group licensing deal brokered by Valiant offers more, however. It pays out about $20 per jersey, though items retail for a higher price than Campus Ink NIL products ($120-180).

The program has launched at three schools so far. The first, with Illinois men’s basketball, earned athletes more than $100,000, the company said. 

Following this success, Mark Cuban agreed to make an investment in Campus Ink to grow its offerings. It has more than a dozen more stores in the works, and has expanded to football, women’s basketball, and several Olympic sports.

Other companies “go about those rights through a group licensing agreement — which is great,” Cook said. “There’s 100% a place for that and it’s a wonderful avenue for athletes to get granted opportunities. But it’s not the only avenue.”

Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Up Next For College Football Playoffs: More Change, Money, And ... Streaming?

Many changes are coming to the CFP when it expands to 12 teams.
Sponsored

NHL’s Chris Foster on Amplifying Content Distribution With Automation

Learn how the NHL is using WSC Sports to increase fan engagement.
Sponsored

How Daktronics Helps Elite Athletic Programs Secure Top Talent

How colleges are utilizing Daktronics' displays to elevate recruiting.

WBD Pursues ‘Different’ Strategy For Sports on Max

Company to place all of its live sports on new streaming tier
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Taylor Swift Takes NFL to New Heights (w/ Andrew Brandt)

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

Taylor Swift at Chiefs vs. Bears game.

Taylor Swift NFL Hype Likely To Continue Another Week

Swift could drive blockbuster TV ratings for NBC's "Sunday Night Football."
September 27, 2023

Lillard And Giannis Pairing Could Be Big For The NBA, Too

Bucks to be featured on national TV 19 times this season
September 27, 2023

Magic Johnson Open To Knicks Minority Ownership Stake

Basketball Hall of Famer only interested in specific NBA franchise
Golden State Warriors majority owner Joe Lacob walks alone the baseline during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at Chase Center.
September 27, 2023

Warriors Owner Reportedly Adding A Bay Area WNBA Franchise

An official announcement could come as soon as early October.

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
Chicago Cubs
Chicago
Fanatics
New York
Tri Star Sports and Entertainment Group, Inc.
USA - Multiple Locations
Michigan State terminates Tucker's deal with cause amid sexual harassment allegations.

Michigan State's Firing of Mel Tucker Saves University $80M

MSU terminates deal with cause amid sexual harassment allegations.
September 27, 2023

AAC Commissioner Open To CFP Format Change, Just Not Yet

Mike Aresco is not ready to vote for CFP structure changes.
A general view of Reser Stadium before a game between Oregon State Beavers and UC Davis Aggies.
September 27, 2023

Oregon State Projects 44% Athletics Revenue Loss From Pac-12 Realignment

Oregon St. officials reveal the potentially dire effects of Pac-12 realignment.
Big-12
September 22, 2023

Texas, Oklahoma's Big 12 Exit Could Have Cost $60M More

The school's move to the SEC is costing about $100 million.
Tickets for Colorado’s upcoming road game against Oregon are more expensive than 14 of 16 Week 3 NFL matchups.
September 20, 2023

Deion Sanders' Impact Makes Tickets Pricier Than NFL Games

Colorado-Oregon tickets are pricier than most Week 3 NFL matchups.
Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) runs the ball against the North Dakota Fighting Hawks during the first half at Albertsons Stadium.
exclusive
September 20, 2023

The First Official Proposal for Promotion-Relegation In College Football

Realignment is forcing Group of 5 schools to rethink their structure.
Renderings of the University of Virginia's new proposed athletic facilities.
September 20, 2023

Virginia Joins The College Facilities Arms Race

UVA plans to upgrade football and Olympic sports facilities.
Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker speaks at post game press conference after 31-7 win over Central Michigan at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
September 19, 2023

Mel Tucker Firing Would Prevent $80M Buyout on Historic Contract

Tucker was suspended after a report of alleged sexual harassment.