SJU athletes set to benefit starting today
Across the country, college athletes can now profit off their Name, Image and Likeness (NIL), following the vote Wednesday by the NCAA Division I Board of Directors to adopt an interim policy effective Thursday with several state laws going into effect.
And St. John’s players can benefit as well.
Shortly after the announcement, athletic director Mike Cragg sent out a memo to student-athletes, coaches and administrators outlining the Queens university’s plan. Schools in states which have not passed laws can create their own guidelines, as long as they meet the NCAA’s parameters.
According to the memo, St. John’s athletes will be allowed to hire representation to broker deals. They may refer to themselves as players at the school, but are not free to use any St. John’s markings without first obtaining permission in writing from the school. Compensation is not allowed in exchange for attendance at St. John’s or for athletic performance, and no contract may exceed the player’s time at the school. They all must gain approval before agreeing to any deals and the school cannot aid them in any way.
“As far as what they get paid, that’s their business and not ours,” Cragg told The Post. “All they have to do is disclose it.”
St. John’s does feel ready for it. Last November, it launched UNLIMITED, a program designed to prepare student-athletes, coaches and staff members for NIL. A 13-credit minor in sports leadership and branding, which is available to any student, was launched in the spring and created by the university’s Peter J. Tobin College of Business. St. John’s has also partnered with INFLCR and Teamworks, companies that specialize in social-media branding.
How much St. John’s can benefit from NIL remains uncertain. It is located in New York City, where there could be plenty of opportunities for its athletes, most notably members of the flagship men’s basketball program. But this is a pro town as well, with celebrity options, whereas schools in college towns, such as Kentucky, Alabama and Duke, are the main draws.
“I don’t know if we have a big advantage. I don’t think we have a big disadvantage, but we’re going to promote it as we have since November,” Cragg said. “We feel like we’re in the best city in America and the opportunities in New York City are like no other. We see this as a positive new asset to the St. John’s experience.”