What's in a Name?

What you read today about the policies and practices related to the NCAA’s Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) opportunities could be vastly different tomorrow. But be assured UTA is keeping up with this new area that allows Mavericks to profit from being college athletes.

Last fall, Hannah Humphrey of the women’s basketball team and Akili Vining of the men’s team began a business relationship with Arlington’s Connection Commodities, which sells athletic shoes and casual sportswear. Humphrey and Vining posted clues on social media of where to find vouchers for the store. For that, they were paid, which had been prohibited under NCAA rules until summer 2021.

“It’s really exciting,” Humphrey says.

Athletics Director Jon Fagg says he’s pleased with the progress being made related to NIL, though he wants to go “faster, faster, faster.”

Holland Sutton directs the department’s NIL operations. Last fall, he organized a symposium during which about 80 athletes and 20 representatives from local businesses came together. (“It was basically speed-dating so they could get to know each other,” Fagg says.)

“The rules keep changing,” notes Sutton. “Our priorities have been drumming up business and educating the athletes.”