Thanks to a July 2021 NCAA policy change, college athletes, including Maverick student-athletes, now have money-making opportunities not previously allowed through NIL, an acronym growing in popularity for its wide range of Name, Image and Likeness possibilities.

According to a July 2022 report by KEYC News Now, 252 Mavericks benefitted in the first year of the “NIL Era.” 

Scott Nelsen, Intercollegiate Athletics Director of Marketing and Community Engagement, said through NIL, Maverick athletics can receive products, discounts, or cash in addition to new opportunities.

“Opportunities for our student-athletes range from social media shout-outs to brand ambassadors, personal appearances, camps, and everything in between” says Nelsen.

This is also shown through a University partnership with Opendorse and the launching of The Corral, the University’s official NIL marketplace.

“The Corral is part of our partnership with Opendorse, a company used in helping the University with Name, Image and Likeness monitoring and disclosures. It allows anyone–a business, non-profit or an individual–to pitch a deal to a student-athlete, whether that deal would be an appearance, host a camp, pitch an item, or much more” says Nelsen.

The program has been successful at both the D2 and D1 level.