10:00 AM
Nike has signed its first name, image and likeness sponsorship deal with a college athlete, announcing a partnership with UCLA sophomore soccer player Reilyn Turner on Tuesday.
The deal's terms were not disclosed. Nike said it will include an element that connects back to their local communities in its agreement with college athletes. Nike and Turner are expected to partner with a variety of Los Angeles-based nonprofits to encourage young girls to be active and participate in sports.
Turner said she was excited to be a part of what Nike was bringing to the future of women's sport. Picking up a ball opened many doors for me. Playing sports has allowed me to build relationships with people around the world, to attend an amazing school, and to be part of a community that means everything.
The first NIL deal signed by Nike will include a partnership with Los Angeles-based nonprofit organizations to encourage young girls to participate in sports.
Turner finished her sophomore season with 10 goals and helped UCLA to a 16-1-3 record. She scored a hat trick in the first 36 minutes of play against Loyola Marymount in September.
Turner was born in California and raised in Aliso Viejo, but she first wanted to attend UCLA after attending a soccer camp as an 8-year-old.
Many of the initial sponsorship deals signed by college athletes have skewed toward national stars and players with large social media followings. Turner has over 3000 followers on her social media accounts, but Nike is looking to promote her local connection to the Los Angeles community and her rise through the sport. She is expected to be used across the brand's social media accounts and highlighted in the Los Angeles region.
She said that athletes have a platform to speak up for what they believe in. I want to be a role model for those around me. I want little girls and little boys to follow in my footsteps.
UCLA switched from Under Armour to Nike. Nike and UCLA entered into a six-year sponsorship agreement on July 1, 2020 that will see the Jordan Brand outfit the football and basketball teams, as well as the school's other 22 teams, including soccer.
Turner is the first direct athletic brand sponsorship of its kind. NIL deals were the first to land basketball players like Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers. Bueckers signed a deal with StockX. Fudd will eventually align herself with the Golden State Warriors star's brand partners, investment vehicles and media production company as a result of her partnership with Stephen Curry's SC30 Inc.
Turner pointed to some of her sports heroes.
Turner said that she thought about those who paved the way for her and how they used their platforms to create change. I hope to be a role model for those around me.
