Jalin Hyatt Helps Teammates’ Families Go to Orange Bowl With NIL

Star Tennessee wide receiver Jalin Hyatt has inked a name, image, and likeness deal with Hyatt Hotels that will benefit not only him, but his entire team. 

It’s one of the first NIL deals with a top hotel chain.

He’ll promote the hotel chain’s World of Hyatt rewards program — and in exchange will earn his entire team assistance with staying at Hyatt Hotels during the upcoming Orange Bowl against Clemson in Miami. And when the season ends, Hyatt will be able to stay in various hotel locations.

Other financial details were not disclosed.

“The World of Hyatt team gave me the ability to create a deal that benefited my teammates and our families,” Hyatt said in a statement. “That’s real, as those are the people I care about the most. Knowing my teammates’ families will all have help to be at the game, and that they are being cared for on the road is amazing.”

The partnership illustrates how NIL deals can provide extra benefits to athletes heading to bowl games. Another example: Cheez-It, the title sponsor of the Citrus Bowl, is giving four athletes the opportunity to stay in a hotel room filled with Cheez-It paraphernalia the night before the game.

It’s also yet another example of a growing trend in the NIL space — athletes signing deals based on their own names. 

Nebraska wide receiver Decoldest Crawford — who has since entered the transfer portal — inked a partnership with an air conditioning company, and Reese’s announced a deal with 12 football players whose last name is Reese.