New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
Bueckers has been approached about deals
STORRS — Paige Bueckers has long been viewed as a college athlete positioned to cash in on her name, image and likeness.
Bueckers, UConn’s breakout star as a freshman, was well known before landing Storrs. She brought a large social media following to college and her brand was strong thanks to highlight videos that turned a Minnesota high school kid into a basketball celebrity.
So it’s no surprise that companies and sponsors are reaching out to Bueckers and her family in the early stages of the NIL era of college athletics. Athletes across the country has been signing deals and UConn’s policy goes into effect July 12.
But don’t expect Bueckers to immediately roll out endorsements. On Tuesday, Bueckers said she and her family are weighing options, but nothing is imminent.
“I’m going be honest, I haven’t really talked to a whole lot of people about it,” Bueckers said. “I’ve just tried to keep my peace and my sanity. I know that a lot of people have been going crazy and doing a whole bunch of deals and stuff, but I’m not really ready for that yet. I didn’t know what it was going look like, what it was going be like, who’s going to talk to me. who’s not.
“But it’s all kind of new. It’s new for me, it’s new for everybody so everybody’s
going to deal with it a different way.”
Bueckers said she has talked to UConn coach Geno Auriemma, although coaches and schools officials cannot facilitate deals. Bueckers said her family is in the process of finding representation and considering options.
The women’s basketball team was set to have an educational meeting Tuesday afternoon, when players would learn how the school policy and state law will work. UConn is hiring an outside company to manage NIL matters.
For now, Bueckers said she is focusing on her game.
“I want to keep my priorities straight,” Bueckers said. “Because as soon as I have a bad game, it’s going to be like, ‘Oh she needs to focus on basketball and not commercial deals and stuff like that,’ so I just don’t want it to get in the way.
“But obviously I’m going to capitalize on opportunities that I get. But I want to get a person and maybe an agent, maybe a financial adviser to help me with all that because I’m not really good with all that stuff.”
When can we expect to see Bueckers signing endorsement deals? Connecticut athletes have started this week, with students from Yale, Quinnipiac, Fairfield, and UConn making announcements on social media.
But Bueckers said she is not sure when she will start engaging in NIL activity.
“I don’t really have a timetable,” Bueckers said. “I just feel like once I’m mentally ready for all this stuff to start happening, then I’ll start with it. But I’m not really like in a rush to get things started, so it’s just whenever I’m ready
Freshman Azzi Fudd also figures profit under the new system. Fudd has experience in this space — she created a line of t-shirts in conjunction with the apparel company Hoop Planet while in high school, but the merchandise has not been available since she entered college. That will soon change, she said.
But like Bueckers, Fudd is focused on basketball. Fudd said her parents have talked to companies interested in working with her.
“I haven’t even asked them how their conversations have gone,” she said. “I’m just trying to enjoy the last week with the team (this summer), and then dive into that stuff.”
Does Bueckers worry about jealousy about teammates as some cut deals while others don’t?
“No, our team is not focused on that at all,” she said. “I think that the great thing about our team is we’re not focused about who’s getting what, who’s getting paid, who’s getting all the attention. We’re really a selfless team, and I don’t think that’s going to change with the NIL.”
Bueckers and Fudd said there is the risk that NIL activity could be a distraction, especially for the most popular players.
“I mean there’s always that worry of it getting in the way, which is why I want to have a good team around me,” Bueckers said. “And obviously the coaching staff and my teammates are going to help me with that, too, and I’ll help them as well. But I think with our team and our mentalities about the game, I don’t think it’s going to get in the way at all.”
Said Fudd, “I think it could be (a distraction). Personally, I don’t focus on social media or outside things too much, so for me I don’t think it will me. And really for our team, we have a pretty similar mindset. So I don’t think it will negatively affect us. But I know for some people, sure, they get so distracted and caught up in the stuff that doesn’t matter if you don’t perform on the court.”
In the spring, senior Olivia Nelson-Ododa landed on a list of players participating in the NCAA Tournament with the largest combined social media following. Nelson-Ododa said she has been advised to proceed slowly.
“Don’t rush into anything,” Nelson-Ododa said. “But now that it’s officially passed and everything, I think it’s a great opportunity for not only me but for other athletes to take advantage of it. So I’m just excited to see where that’s going be able to go.”
Bueckers also said athletes are getting an opportunity they deserve. But she also vows to maintain control of her image and says she will be cautious when choosing a deal.
“Not going to let people force me to do things and just (let) people get in my head about things,” Bueckers said. “I want to be able to stay true to myself and not let all the money and notoriety get to me.
“I mean, I just want to be Paige Bueckers. I don’t want to change with the money. I don’t want to change with the NIL. … Just me staying me. That’s the biggest thing.”