South Carolina women's basketball: New NIL program is a game-changer
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Garnet Trust announced a groundbreaking name, image, and likeness deal Wednesday morning that will pay each member of the South Carolina women’s basketball team an average of $25,000 for the 2022-23 school year.
The South Carolina women’s basketball program has been one of the most successful programs in the country on the court – winning two of the last five national championships – and off the court – leading the nation in attendance for eight consecutive seasons. This NIL arrangement creates a tangible, financial connection between players and fans.
For some players, the $25,000 payday may not be a game-changer. For example, Zia Cooke and Aliyah Boston reportedly earned over $1 million last year. But they are the exception, not the rule. For most players, a guaranteed $25,000 will be a significant amount of income.
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It’s also a significant enticement in recruiting. Recruits can’t be offered money to sign with South Carolina without violating pay-for-play rules, but this initiative is a firm indication of the opportunities available at South Carolina. Dawn Staley has embraced opportunities for her players since it became clear NIL would be made legal, and that is a contrast to many other programs that have been more ambivalent about NIL.
This is not the first team-wide NIL deal for women’s basketball – that distinction belongs to Texas Tech. Level 13 Agency, a Texas Tech-allied NIL marketing agency, announced in July that it would sign each member of the Texas Tech women’s basketball team to a $25,000 NIL contract.
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That deal was focused on a one-time agreement. The deal with South Carolina players is more sustainable. It also requires active participation from players, a valuable learning experience that should help players after they graduate. Some players will have the opportunity to earn more than $25,000.
Garnet Trust has partnered with NOCAP Sports to help bring in national brands. Slate Milk, a high-protein milk brand that targets athletes, is already in the fold. It is proof that there is interest from national brands who want to be associated with the Gamecocks.
Bakari Sellers is one of the Gamecocks’ most high-profile supporters, so it is only fitting that he is involved from the ground floor. He brings visibility and credibility to the project, but a unique aspect of the initiative is how average fans can be a part of the program. Garnet Trust has made it possible for fans to contribute to a fund specifically for women’s basketball.
For more information on how fans can connect with the women’s basketball team, visit www.wbb.garnettrust.com.
