Jared C. Tilton/Getty ImagesGraham Mertz, the Wisconsin quarterback, released a hype video Monday. However it wasn't the highlight of Badgers' play that stood apart. The trademarked logo of Mertz at the end the eight-second video grabbed all attention.According to The Athletic, Mertz is the first college athlete to trademark a logo as the NCAA prepares for the impact of its name, image, and likeness policies which go into effect July 1.Mertz is not the only college athlete who will likely release similar logos, videos and images. Name, image, and likeness rights are open to student-athletes.This move, which is likely to be used as a placeholder by the NCAA while federal legislation remains in debate, allows college players to make money from their names and images regardless of where they live. NIL laws have been passed in multiple states, including Alabama, Arizona Florida, Texas and Georgia. They will all be effective July 1.Over the next few years, similar laws will be in effect in California, Michigan and Colorado as well as Tennessee, Maryland, Maryland, and South Carolina.Although Wisconsin has yet to pass an NIL law in Wisconsin, its flagship university is trying to do so."College athletics enters a new era, and we are excited for the opportunities that will arise with changes in student athletes' names, image and likeness rights," Chris McIntosh, athletic director, stated earlier this month (h/t CBS-Bert Sallee). "At the core of our existence, we exist in order to prepare student-athletes. We will prepare them for success in NIL. Our approach will not differ from our commitment to set them up for success in play, the classroom, and in everyday life after their time at UW.Opendorse and the Badgers have launched "YouDub", a program that helps players make the most of the NCAA's NIL policies.Mertz was quick to get up and running. These videos may soon become the norm for college sports.
