Thursday, May 14, 2026

Nebraska’s Decoldest Crawford Inks Deal With Air Conditioning Company

  • Crawford has inked a partnership with an air conditioning company.
  • The deal takes profiting off his name to another level.
Decoldest-Crawford-air-conditioning-NIL-deal
SOS Heating and Cooling

Nebraska wide receiver Decoldest Crawford is taking the meaning of profiting off his name, image, and likeness to another level — his name itself has inspired a brand partnership.

On Thursday, he announced that he’s signed a deal to promote an air conditioning company. Crawford is now the “official spokesperson” for SOS Heating and Cooling.

“If anyone knows which HVAC company is the coldest in Nebraska, it’s him!,” SOS wrote in a social media post. “You’ll be seeing a lot more of him soon.”

Crawford’s first duty as SOS’ spokesperson included a post with multiple photos posing with employees in front of the company’s trucks.

It’s unclear whether this is the first NIL partnership with an air conditioning company, but the deal is part of a large number of smaller, local businesses that have heavily invested in NIL — from local dealerships to restaurant chains.

It probably doesn’t hurt that the news comes amid a particularly hot and sticky summer across the nation.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Mar 11, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles forward Alex Steen (25) reacts with guard Robert McCray V. (6) in the first half at Spectrum Center.

FSU Tests New Revenue Model as Schools Cut Sports

“Cutting sports isn’t part of the equation for us.”
Oct 11, 2025; College Park, Maryland, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola (15) throws during the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium.

CSC Wins Key NIL Arbitration in Nebraska Football Case

The case centered around deals offered to 18 football players.
Apr 6, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Dusty May celebrates with the trophy after defeating the UConn Huskies in the national championship of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Dusty May: Another Men’s Championship Will Cost $10M or More

“We anticipate it to be much greater next year,” May told FOS.
Jan 9, 2026; Atlanta, GA, USA; Oregon Ducks tight end Jamari Johnson (9) makes catch for a touchdown against Indiana Hoosiers defensive back D'Angelo Ponds (5) during the first quarter of the 2025 Peach Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Latest Dispute Over NIL Go Could End Any Semblance of a Salary Cap

The heart of the current issue is over the definition of “associated entities.”

Featured Today

Bart Swings/Falyn Fonoimoana/Avery Poppinga

OnlyFans Is Paying Pro Athletes What Their Sports Won’t

The adult-content platform is a reliable income source for niche athletes.
May 13, 2026

How Sports Graphic Designers Are Grappling With the Rise of AI Art

The release of ChatGPT 2.0 Images sparked a conversation among sports designers.
May 12, 2026

Collectible Cups Are Sending Sports Fans Into a Frenzy

The drink is secondary to the wild vessel it comes in.
Matt Palumb
May 8, 2026

Pro Lacrosse’s Top Ref Is As Famous As the Players

The last celebrity referee is in the Premier Lacrosse League.

ACC Still Holding Off on Private Equity Despite Big 12 Leap

“To date, there’s nothing that has made sense,” Jim Phillips said Wednesday.
Jun 18, 2021; Omaha, Nebraska, USA; Ryan Lochte after the Men’s 200m Individual Medley Finals during the U.S. Olympic Team Trials Swimming competition at CHI Health Center Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports
May 11, 2026

Ryan Lochte to Coach College Swimming at $34 an Hour

Missouri State announced it hired the 12-time Olympic medalist on Sunday.
May 12, 2026

NCAA Warns Baseball Coaches About Canceling Games to Boost Stats

A myriad of Power Four schools canceled games against lower-ranked opponents.
Sponsored

What Is It Like to Run the Knicks?

Dave Checketts on his time running the Knicks & Jazz, Jordan war stories, and his investment strategy across major sports leagues.
May 8, 2026

Ex-Ohio University Football Coach Sues School Over Firing

Smith admitted to having a romantic relationship with an undergraduate.
exclusive
May 8, 2026

What Illinois’s $20M Jumbotron Says About the Future of CFB Stadiums

Illinois installed the largest video display in college football in January.
Apr 6, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines guard Roddy Gayle Jr. (11) goes up for a rebound against Connecticut Huskies guard Braylon Mullins (24) and Connecticut Huskies forward Tarris Reed Jr. (5) in the first half during the national championship of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium.
May 7, 2026

Expanded Basketball Tournaments Will Yield NCAA $50M a Year

The deal guarantees the NCAA will be able to cover additional operating expenses.
May 7, 2026

Tournament Darling LIU Had 1,000 Ineligible Athletes, NCAA Says

LIU merged its Brooklyn and Long Island campuses in 2019.