Kentucky WBB rookie Cassidy Rowe signs 1st NIL deal with Rise Up Sports

The first name, image, and likeness (NIL) deal for Kentucky women’s basketball rookie Cassidy Rowe was made official earlier this week — and it surely won’t be the last during her time as a Wildcat.

Rise Up Sports Media, a new local company designed to promote and highlight young female athletes in the world of sports, announced on Monday, July 4 that Rowe has agreed to a NIL deal. The Bluegrass State native will soon have her own apparel line available for sale through the company’s website. Rowe is expected to design her own headband, which is an accessory she became well-known for wearing during her high school days and will continue to sport while at Kentucky.

Rowe is the second current Kentucky WBB player to ink an agreement with Rise Up Sports, which is owned and operated by Tonia Witt, the other being rising sophomore point guard Jada Walker, who agreed to her deal back in the spring. Rise Up Sports recently released its second magazine issue, as well.

“The whole family is very excited and we’re very appreciative of what Tonia has done for Cass, giving her that NIL deal, her first one,” Cassidy’s father, Lonnie Rowe, told KSR. “Just very appreciative.”

Rise Up Sports Media could not be more excited to announce our first NIL student athlete from the state of Kentucky, basketball star @cassidyballer5 She’s a fighter and an overcomer who chased her dreams and never gave up. You are going to want to KNOW HER NAME!! #kentucky #nil pic.twitter.com/90x8HHwtdB

— Rise Up Sports Media (@riseupsports1) July 4, 2022

With this NIL deal, Rowe (similar to Walker) will participate in Rise Up Sports Media appearances while also promoting and creating merchandise through the company. Her contract will end at the conclusion of the 2022-2023 season. Rowe has long been a brand “ambassador” for Rise Up, which is separate from the recently agreed upon NIL deal. Fellow ambassadors through Rise Up include the WNBA’s Rhyne Howard and former Kentucky point guard Jaida Roper.

“I think they just both bring a lot to the table. They’re both the underdogs,” Witt told KSR about why she selected Walker and Rowe for NIL deals. “When you look at them they don’t look like the typical All-Americans, but they’re fierce competitors and have had to overcome a lot. They’re great kids, compete at a high level, don’t back down, and that’s what we’re looking for at Rise Up.”

For those unfamiliar with Rowe, the 5-foot-6 point guard hails from Shelby Valley High School in Virgie, KY where she committed to the Wildcats in the summer of 2018. She suffered two ACL injuries during her time at Shelby Valley, one before her commitment and the second not long after.

But despite that, Rowe overcame both injuries and managed to become a better player on the floor as a result. She’s someone who is impossible to outwork, possesses plenty of basketball IQ, and shoots from distance with impressive efficiency. Rowe was a finalist for 2022 Kentucky Miss Basketball, which ultimately went to her future Wildcat teammate, Anderson County’s Amiya Jenkins, who is also a first-year player at UK.