Dayton Flyers athletes can now use school logos, trademarks in NIL deals

“As Name-Image-Likeness evolves, we will continue to ensure the University of Dayton serves as a strong public relations platform for our student-athletes to engage in NIL activity as they see fit,” UD Director of Athletics Neil Sullivan said in a press release. “We look forward to working with them and The Brandr Group in a mutually beneficial partnership.”

The deal means fans will soon be able to buy Dayton merchandise, including team jerseys, with the names and numbers of the players who have joined the group licensing program.

Prior to this, Dayton Flyers athletes have not appeared in uniform while profiting off their new NIL rights. For example, the men’s and women’s basketball teams wore non-UD T-shirts and shorts at the Dayton Basketball Fan Fest in October.

According to a press release, this partner ship “allows for the collective use of student-athletes’ NIL in licensing and marketing programs, co-branded with Dayton’s logos and marks. Student-athletes will have the option to voluntarily join a group licensing program. TBG will facilitate group licensing opportunities on behalf of the student-athletes, and the program does not limit individual NIL rights.”

“Group licensing deals are ushering in a new era of opportunity for college athletics, and we’re thrilled to be able to partner with the University of Dayton to craft a program that best suits their student-athletes,” said Wesley Haynes, TBG CEO, in a press release. “Under this new group licensing agreement, they’ll be able to benefit from their NIL through co-branded opportunities across the Flyers’ vast merchandising and sponsorship portfolio. We’re looking forward to collaborating with Dayton athletics so we can bring this program to life for their talented student-athletes and their passionate fans.”

The NCAA gave athletes their NIL rights last summer. Among the early deals for the players:

• Former Flyer Brian Roberts and a local business he leads, Flyer Faithful LLC, hired men’s basketball players to promote an apartment for rent year campus.

• Rare Active, a local female-owned company, hired Dayton women’s basketball players to endorse their apparel.

• Six men’s basketball players from the area — three Flyers and three Wright State Raiders — were paid to appear at the Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley’s Centennial Celebration.

• In recent days, Dayton players have been promoting the brand Simple Truth on Instagram.

• Jenna Giacone, one of the women’s teams three sixth-year seniors, has promoted the clothing brand Novus on Instagram.