Florida gymnast Trinity Thomas: 'NIL can definitely be better'

WASHINGTON – Trinity Thomas has experienced the good NIL can bring into an athlete’s life.

The Florida gymnast was able to buy each one of her siblings an iPad the first Christmas after the NCAA lifted its policy prohibiting name, image and likeness. One of the most accomplished athletes in the NIL era, she’s worked with brands like Amazon, Honey Stinger, Tropical Smoothie Cafe and Visible Mobile.

All of the business dealings have come with success in her sport. The all-around gymnastics champion in 2022, Thomas delivered her 28th perfect 10 in a routine this season at the NCAA championships this spring.

But on Wednesday, Thomas was in Washington, D.C., lobbying for NIL reform. Florida was the only institution to bring multiple athletes as part of their contingent to Capitol Hill. Thomas was joined by defensive end Jack Pyburn and women’s basketball guard Zippy Broughton.

The athletes – along with athletic director Scott Stricklin and executive associate athletic director Lynda Tealer – met with multiple lawmakers. The Gators sat down with Florida Congressional Reps. Kat Cammack and Gus Bilirakis. They also had face time with Marco Rubio, the Senator from the Sunshine State.

“We had some great conversations today,” Thomas told On3 on Wednesday night during the SEC at the Capitol reception. “And I really think that we were going in the right direction. Pretty much we’re all on the same page, and they were asking good questions. We were giving good feedback and also vice versa. So, I really think that it’s going in the right direction, and I hope to see some changes soon.”

Bilirakis has become a well-known figure in NCAA circles since taking over the consumer subcommittee, which will probably control any NIL legislation produced within the House of Representatives. The Republican released a discussion draft last month, which avoided taking a stance on employees. The legislation would ban pay-for-play by prohibiting boosters and collectives from inducements. A U.S. Intercollegiate Athletics Commission would be established, too, to oversee the NIL process.

Live Blog: SEC, college leaders descend on Capitol Hill to lobby for NIL reform

Trinity Thomas: NIL an ‘incredible opportunity’

For Thomas, she is thankful for the opportunities NIL has presented. But in her mind, the current world of college athletics is not best suited for the athlete.

“I think it’s an incredible opportunity,” she said when asked what she would like changed about NIL. “And I’m so glad that I’ve gotten the chance to take advantage of it. But absolutely, as anything, you can always make something better. And I think that NIL can definitely be better. And there can be more regulations around it so that it’s not being misused.”

A patchwork of state laws in the SEC footprint has been passed in recent weeks. Most of the bills have been designed to prevent the NCAA from launching investigations into NIL activities. NIL started as a way for athletes to earn endorsement dollars. But it has morphed into an arms race, with donor-led collectives competing to raise the most funds to attract high school recruits and retain athletes looking at the transfer portal.

For the first 15 months of this new era, many institutions had no clue what was prohibited by the NCAA. Not until the governing body released further guidance in October did schools start to back collectives. Some states have passed legislation to just ensure universities can have conversations with their athletes about financial dealings.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 7B into law back in February, allowing coaches and athletic department staff to assist in the facilitation of endorsement deals. Thomas would not be opposed to more institutional oversight.

“I think probably across the board, yes, I would hope that every institution would have a goal in place that can help their student-athletes navigate,” she said. “Luckily, Florida does have people in place that help us navigate. But I hope that and want that for every single institution so that the athletes are taken care of and can use NIL to the best of their ability.”

Examining the NCAA’s aggressive push for federal NIL laws

Should student-athletes be employees?

Some legislation being proposed on the Hill ensures athletes will not be classified as employees. Other bills would rebuild the landscape of college athletics as we know it.

Thomas does not appear to have any strong opinions on those bills. But what the Florida gymnast does not want to see changed is the differences NIL can make in an athlete’s life. For Thomas, giving her siblings iPads for Christmas back in 2021 is a memory she won’t forget.

“It’s definitely made my life a lot more comfortable,” said Thomas, who has a $109,000 On3 NIL Valuation. “And it’s been a blessing. Honestly, for me, I remember the first Christmas after NIL started. I was able to get all my siblings iPads for Christmas. I was so excited about it. They cried, and I cried. It was just special. It was really cool.

“Just not having to worry so much and being able to take care of myself and the people that I love.”