Adidas has announced that it has signed two college football players, Michael Penix Jr. and Rome Odunze, as its first name, image and likeness (NIL) athletes. The duo are both from the Washington Huskies and will participate in brand marketing campaigns.
What is NIL and why is it important?
NIL stands for name, image and likeness, which refers to the rights of college athletes to profit from their personal brands. Previously, NCAA rules prohibited student-athletes from receiving any compensation for their athletic achievements, even though their schools and conferences made millions of dollars from media rights, sponsorships and merchandise sales.
However, in July 2022, the NCAA adopted an interim policy that allows college athletes to monetize their NIL rights without jeopardizing their eligibility. This opened up a new era of opportunities for athletes to partner with brands, businesses and platforms that align with their values and goals.
Who are Michael Penix Jr. and Rome Odunze?
Michael Penix Jr. is a quarterback for the Washington Huskies who has been a standout performer since his freshman year. He has thrown for 16 touchdowns and 1,999 passing yards in his first five games of the 2023 season. He was also named the Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year and placed on the All-Pac-12 Second Team in 2022.
Rome Odunze is a wide receiver for the Washington Huskies who led the Pac-12 in receiving yards in 2022 with 1,145 yards. He was also selected to the AP Preseason All-America First Team and several other preseason honors in 2023. He is known for his speed, agility and athleticism.
Both Penix Jr. and Odunze have been wearing Adidas gear since they joined the Huskies, as the university has been a partner of the brand since 2019. They are also part of the Adidas NIL network, which launched in July 2022 as a first-of-its-kind program that aims to create a more equitable future in sports. The network currently has thousands of active student-athletes representing over 25 sports, including hundreds of athletes from Washington across 14 sports on campus.
What are the benefits of joining Adidas?
By signing with Adidas, Penix Jr. and Odunze will receive financial support, exposure and mentorship from the brand. They will also have access to exclusive products, events and experiences that will help them grow their personal brands and connect with their fans.
“I couldn’t be happier to be teaming up with the Adidas family, I’ve been in the three stripes my entire college career and their support has meant a lot to me. I’m excited about this unique opportunity to help further the brand and I’m appreciative of their investment in my university, my teammates, and myself,” said Penix Jr.
“It’s an honor to be joining the Adidas family as one of the brand’s first football NIL athletes,” said Odunze. “Adidas is committed to empowering me to shape my brand and my future, and I’m looking forward to inspiring the next generation of athletes.”
Adidas is not the only brand that has been active in the NIL space. Other companies such as Nike, Gatorade, Barstool Sports and Cameo have also signed deals with college athletes from various sports. However, Adidas claims to be the leader in supporting female student-athletes, having signed 15 women to NIL deals in September 2022.
Adidas hopes that by signing Penix Jr. and Odunze, it will strengthen its position as a global sports brand that celebrates diversity, creativity and innovation.
