D'Eriq King NIL deal: Miami QB first-ever college player to ink deal with pro team

D’Eriq King’s NIL deals keep getting sweeter. The talented Miami Hurricanes quarterback inked an unprecedented Name, Image and Likeness deal with the NHL’s Florida Panthers of the NHL, the team announced Monday. King becomes the first-ever collegiate athlete to sign agreement with a professional sports team.

Miami’s D’Eriq King becomes the country’s first college athlete to sign an NIL agreement with a professional sports team: the Florida Panthers.

King has been busy since July 1 https://t.co/thqw3jFcCO pic.twitter.com/EwGaGDbkUo

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) August 9, 2021

In what they describe as the “first-of-its-kind” NIL program, the Panthers, who play their home games at BB&T Stadium in Sunrise, Fla., are paying King to help grow their brand according to the press release.

“As part of the endorsement, King will appear at Panthers games and events and work closely with the Panthers digital and social media teams to produce content to engage fanbases across South Florida,” the release said.

This is truly ground breaking in at least one way. A professional hockey team turning to a college football player to help boost its reach? It will be interesting to see if other pro sports teams follow their lead.

“Additionally, King will work with the Panthers to develop a merchandise collection, co-branded art and his own exclusive BB&T Center concession menu item, which will be available at all Panthers home games and events for the upcoming season,” the release added.

For King, today’s unprecedented agreement is just the latest deal that has kept the Miami signal caller busy during the offseason.

D’Eriq King NIL activity since July 1

Since the new NIL rules went into effect on July, 1, King has been one of the most active college football players when it comes to inking endorsements and promoting companies.

“He’s signed deals with three businesses as well as Dreamfield, the digital marketplace that he helped create and is now part owner,” SportsIllustrated’s Ross Dellenger said in an article posted just one day after the new rules were in place. He’s signed with College Hunks Hauling Junk moving company, Murphy Auto Group and The Wharf, the open-air bar and event space that he and his UM teammates frequent on offseason Friday nights.

The College Hunks agreement included a 5-figure sign-on bonus according to multiple media outlets.

While the terms of today’s deal between King and the Florida Panthers aren’t yet known, it’s clear the Miami senior has stacked a good amount of cash in a little over a month.

“The deals should net him more than $20,000, he says, and he received an immediate five-figure signing bonus from College Hunks,” Dellenger said. “He’s also started selling his own branded line of clothing. King says he has no immediate plans for the money.”

That was on July 2. There’s no telling how much King has now, but the offers keep coming. Of course, most Miami fans wonder if all of these obligations will take away from the quarterback’s ability to perform in a season where the Hurricanes are slated atop the ACC by most media outlets. Only time will tell..