daily’: Rice athletes navigate the NIL world

KINApparel, and NILProShop, newer social media features have even facilitated the content creation and partnership process.

Since the NCAA introduced a new policy allowing student-athletes to profit off of their name, image and likeness more than a year ago, Rice athletes are increasingly agreeing to sponsorships with a variety of businesses. Student-athletes have had the opportunity to partner with everything from clothing stores, to food and drink brands, to restaurants. According to Quincy Olivari, a junior guard on the men’s basketball team, he’s used the new NIL rules to sponsor companies to which he feels a personal connection.

“I have one deal currently with Candelari’s, which is an Italian spot over on West Holcombe,” Olivari said. “I eat there a lot with my mom and I basically just reached out to some people that know the business owners and told them that I like going there and they connected me [with] the business owner, we just talked from there.”

According to sophomore swimmer Arielle Hayon, NIL has given her the opportunity to endorse brands she uses.

“I am currently a brand ambassador for JOLYN Clothing,” Hayon said. “I have been wearing JOLYN Clothing since I was about 11 years old because they make functional and fashionable swimwear. They are a brand I have always loved and the opportunity to work with them was one I could not pass up.”

Social media has played a major role in the way that many of these NIL deals are both established and fulfilled. According to redshirt junior quarterback JoVoni JohnsonMcCray, who has deals with Clif Bar & Co.,