By Katrina Kowitz, Staff Writer
Newman University recently signed a name, image and likeness branding deal with Influxer, a platform designed to generate NIL income for student athletes.
The deal will allow student athletes at Newman to have co-brand merchandise and to earn NIL money by growing their brand and practicing branding/ self-promotion.
Influxer is a Dallas-based company that works with more than 500,000 student athletes, from Division 1 schools to junior colleges. More than 100 student-athletes at Newman are co-branding with Influxer, which offers student athletes the chance to sell shirts, hoodies and chains that feature their names and their uniform numbers. The student-athlete earns 60% of the profit on individual sales, and Newman gets 5%.
Zach Brake, assistant athletic director for marketing and communications, administers the operation for Newman.
“This is a way for a student athlete to build their brand, showcase your NIL, and self-promote,” Brake said “I think the biggest enhancement is it allows friends and family to support their student athlete.”
Participation is optional, Brake said, but he encourages students to give it a try.
“Sign up if you are a student athlete,” he said. “It's an easy way to get your brand out there, promote yourself, teach entrepreneurial skills and could potentially make you some money.”
Jaxson Newcomb, a sophomore wrestler, said he decided to sign up for the program to get his name out there.
“I want to be known,” Newcomb said.
Newman has been working with the company since spring and signed the deal with Influxer in early August of this year, Brake said.
The easiest way for athletes to get involved at Newman is to sign up with their name, picture, email and jersey number on Instagram @newmanjetsmerch. Influxer will confirm with Brake that the student-athlete is on the roster and in classes.
The company then will post a graphic on Instagram at @newmanjetsmerch. It takes 48 hours for a new graphic to be posted.
PHOTO: Courtesy, Unsplash
