This was reported a week ago, but there isn't a better piece of reporting you can read that tells you what is really going on in the college sports business.
www.on3.com
What's fascinating is just two years ago, Opendorse was in a strategic partnership with Learfield. Now, after just two years, Learfield wants the athletes of the schools it represents to be under its full control, so it can co-brand the athletes with the schools if possible, and be a broker of NIL deals alongside the largely sponsorship rights they already sell.
It is important to note Learfield's interest is only about what you might call "real NIL" deals, meaning, these are deals brokered by sales people with brands that want to be associated with athletes for their endorsement and influence. It has nothing to do with the "guaranteed NIL money" going to buy players for their on-field ability. That's a whole other much more complicated kettle of fish.
Learfield expanding its licensing-driven Compass app to NIL dealmaking
As institutions around college sports begin to tackle revenue-sharing questions before the model takes hold, Learfield is making a bold move.
What's fascinating is just two years ago, Opendorse was in a strategic partnership with Learfield. Now, after just two years, Learfield wants the athletes of the schools it represents to be under its full control, so it can co-brand the athletes with the schools if possible, and be a broker of NIL deals alongside the largely sponsorship rights they already sell.
It is important to note Learfield's interest is only about what you might call "real NIL" deals, meaning, these are deals brokered by sales people with brands that want to be associated with athletes for their endorsement and influence. It has nothing to do with the "guaranteed NIL money" going to buy players for their on-field ability. That's a whole other much more complicated kettle of fish.
