Bobcat athletes ink first NIL deals

For decades, one goal for MSU student athletes had been simple: get on scholarship and retain it. But for exemplary athletes who clear the scholarship hurdle, there are a few other ways for their talent to be compensated. 

On April 30th, 2021, the Montana senate passed a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) law allowing collegiate athletes to be compensated for the use of their name, image, or likeness. The move occured after recent NCAA rule changes and has opened doors for Bobcat athletes. The first NIL deals in MSU sports appeared this fall.

Kola Bad Bear, Senior forward for the women’s basketball team, is one of many athletes starting to take advantage of the new ruling. Bad Bear has participated in advertisements for food products and supplements, and is an ambassador for Hotworx, a new gym in Bozeman. About agreements Bad Bear said, “usually the contractor will set clear instructions with what they want and how much they are offering.”

In the face of the new NIL ruling, some worry that outside deals and contracts will disrupt team stability and put too much pressure on student athletes. In a 2021 hearing before the Senate Committee on Commerce,Gonzaga men’s basketball coach Mark Few stated that NIL compensation “absolutely needs to happen right now.” But, Few said, “We do need some parameters to preserve the collegiate model and protect the recruiting environment. Without these parameters, the unintended consequences could be disastrous.” 

Bad Bear said, “I don’t feel more pressure, I feel I have more opportunity to use my name!” Bad Bear continued by describing how some athletes sign “major” deals with higher stakes and the risks that come with that. “I would probably lose focus of what I’m really here for,”Bad Bear said.

In addition to individual compensation for advertisement and ambassadorship, NIL compensation can take a collective approach. In the wake of a stellar 2021 season and a trip to the national championship game, the Bobcat football team was sure to be targeted for NIL use. To prepare for this, the Bobcat Collective, a third-party organization not affiliated with MSU, was formed. 

The Bobcat Collective was developed “to maximize the opportunities for current student-athletes while giving supporters exclusive opportunities,” per its website. The organization was founded by former MSU football player and local business owner Brandon Vancleeve and has so far signed more than 80 bobcats to NIL contracts, according to the collective.

While the introduction of NIL contracts comes with both risks and benefits, a new era in which MSU student athletes can be compensated for their talent is at the very least exciting. For better or worse, this year’s introduction of the NIL system in Montana is likely to change the landscape of college athletics for years to come.