Could Promotion-Relegation work in College Football?
Before Tom Brady launched his apparel brand BRADY, he enlisted 10 current and former college athletes from sports ranging from football to hockey. One of those was Jackson State quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
On Thursday, Brady signed Sanders to be the company’s first long-term athlete partner. As part of the deal, Sanders will help the brand with testing products, in addition to wearing apparel in public and at games.
“He embodies everything we look for in a BRADY athlete, and his character and values align perfectly with our brand,” Brady said in a statement. “Not only is he an exceptional football player and quarterback, but he is one of the most influential players of his generation.”
The BRADY brand launched in January, and currently sells golf, workout, and casual-wear clothing. The company even has an underwear line.
Financial terms of Sanders’ deal were not disclosed — though it is safe to assume Sanders is cashing in on NIL, given he also boasts partnerships with high-profile companies like Gatorade. Sanders, whose father and coach is Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, has an On3 NIL valuation of $1.2 million.
“Tom has been a longtime mentor to me, both on and off the field, and I’ve been a fan of his apparel brand since its inception,” Sanders said in a statement. “So this partnership feels like a natural next step.”
