BYU Announces Partnership With Opendorse To Create Name, Image, And Likeness Program
Sep 24, 2020, 5:34 PM
BYU defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga before the Cougars game against Navy Midshipmen on September 7th, 2020. (BYU Photo/Jaren Wilkey)
(BYU Photo/Jaren Wilkey)
PROVO, Utah – BYU is ready for the Name, Image, and Likeness era to begin collegiate athletics. The BYU athletic department announced on Thursday that they are partnering with Opendorse, a leader in the name, image, and likeness space.
Opendorse has partnered with Nebraska, Indiana, Louisville, TCU, San Diego State, and others in collegiate athletics.
BYU is READY!!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀@BYUCougars + @opendorse pic.twitter.com/U685wsz6qw— BYU Cougars (@BYUCougars) September 24, 2020
“Change is coming to college athletics, and it’s our role as leaders to help our athletes prepare to the best our abilities,” said BYU Head Men’s Basketball Coach Mark Pope. “Whether changes come today or a year from now, the Ready program will put BYU student-athletes in an excellent position to maximize the value of their personal brands.”
This partnership with Opendorse will align with all of BYU’s sponsored athletic programs.
BYU creates NIL program
According to Opendorse’s website, the Opendorse Ready program “exists to help student-athletes prepare and maximize the value of their NIL.”
BYU is READY! pic.twitter.com/dboDjyLMok
— Opendorse (@opendorse) September 24, 2020
“Name, image, and likeness rights has the potential to shape the next decade of college athletics,” said BYU Athletic Director Tom Holmoe. “Beyond its impact on recruiting, we see this as opportunity to provide our players with the education and life skills that will bring them value well beyond their days on campus. As NIL changes became more clear, we were quick survey the market and find what I and our staff believe to be the best solution in the market to prepare our student-athletes for success; Opendorse Ready.”
It’s expected that on January 31st, 2021, that legislation for Name, Image, and Likeness will be approved by the NCAA. The legislation would allow student-athletes to begin profiting off their name, image, and likeness starting in the 2021-22 academic year.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m., KSL Newsradio). Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
