The BYU football program flipped the name, image and likeness concept in collegiate athletics on its head Thursday with its announcement that all players will be compensated by Built Brands, including walk-ons who will get a year’s tuition paid by the company.
The magnitude of the announcement, which was shared in a video posted on the BYU Football Twitter account, was apparent as a number of high-profile people shared their thoughts about it.
Here’s a sampling.
THIS is INCREDIBLE!!!
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) August 12, 2021
Watch this video!!! https://t.co/S95s3YaYJn
Someone asked us on The Audible this week if a company might use NIL to pay a team’s walk ons, and we said, no, that’s completely unrealistic.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) August 12, 2021
… Well, a local protein bar company is doing just that at BYU. https://t.co/SVMFRl1Jqz
Today, two companies - Built and Walk-On’s restaurant - have announced deals providing NIL opportunities for walk-on players.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) August 12, 2021
Something that so many thought would ruin college sports is already bringing positive change. https://t.co/Mk47hKaY9F
Just watch and enjoy!!!!!!!!’ So awesome!!! https://t.co/kCyeYKfccP
— David Pollack (@davidpollack47) August 12, 2021
Remember when there were protests of NIL deals over fear it would strip money from athletics departments? Here’s a great example of upholding the academic mission of college sport through NIL. https://t.co/BgsyoB9hN7
— Alicia Jessop (@RulingSports) August 12, 2021
Interesting NIL deal. Built will pay all 123 members of the BYU football team--including all 36 walk-ons--an amount equal to the cost of tuition. All players will wear Built branding on their practice helmets and participate in events for Built. https://t.co/g2NVnFCsrI
— Gabe Feldman (@SportsLawGuy) August 12, 2021
Wow. This is a really meaningful deal. https://t.co/dpggBe2Q6r
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) August 12, 2021
BYU inks groundbreaking NIL deal that might be the most creative in college football https://t.co/KCWYyidFVI
— FootballScoop (@FootballScoop) August 12, 2021
It would be cool if more NIL deals may for walk on tuition. But I can't imagine there are many FBS schools with cheaper tuition than BYU. If you're going to pilot this kind of program, that seems like a good place to do it, no?
— Matt Brown (@MattBrownEP) August 12, 2021
Interesting NIL deal from BYU that really seems to toe the line on the grey area the NCAA’s interim policy has introduced. https://t.co/BPJwkq1k4o pic.twitter.com/BDUadKRR0I
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) August 12, 2021