'Massive' NIL news for Michigan football: The Ann Arbor NIL Club set for launch
Numerous Michigan Wolverines football players have taken to social media Monday to build suspense for an upcoming announcement.
“Wolverine nation… we have MASSIVE NIL news coming out tomorrow involving our whole team,” Michigan freshman quarterback Alex Orji posted. “Going to need your support.”
The Maize and Blue appear set to launch ‘The Ann Arbor NIL Club’ — a player-led fan community that profits members of the Michigan football team. The Wolverines tweeting in cryptic fashion soon after the organization’s website and social media pages were created is not a coincidence, according to a source.
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The support Orji and his teammates are asking for is monetary, of course. Michigan fans can pledge money on a recurring basis to receive exclusive content and other opportunities.
“Through the Ann Arbor NIL Club, these members of the team provide fans with digital content and experiences such as digital meet-and-greets, player-recorded content, and much more throughout the year,” the company’s website says. “The AANC generates revenue through fans subscribing to the club. A monthly commitment of any amount allows fans to join the NIL Club and access AANC-exclusive chat rooms, message boards, and content.
“Current Michigan Football players use their social platforms to promote AANC and they participate in digital events such as meet-and-greets, Q&As, and interviews. The players also create and distribute exclusive content for club members.”
The Ann Arbor NIL Club is run by YOKE, which has a software system that ”helps athletes receive fair compensation for their name, image, and likeness” by engaging and delivering content to the fan.
“The players have teamed up with YOKE, a complete membership platform that provides business tools for athletes to launch a paywalled community, to ensure the digital experiences are executed properly,” The Ann Arbor NIL Club’s website reveals. “All players are invited to participate in the club and proceeds are split equally amongst the actively participating athletes at the end of each month.”
YOKE will take an 18-percent platform fee.
The minimum commitment amount for a Michigan fan is $5. Fans can receive a free jersey by pledging at least $25 per month but, per the organization, “any commitment grants you complete access to the online community and digital experiences with the team.”
YOKE has made an almost identical setup with players from one of Michigan’s rivals, Notre Dame, with the Irish Players Club.
