Memphis pays athletes to help start brands
University partners with promotional service
The University of Memphis will pay $48,000 to help its athletes better position themselves to capitalize on their names, images and likenesses.
The contract with Opendorse runs through June 30, 2022 and was obtained by The Commercial Appeal through an open records request.
Opendorse is an independent marketing solutions platform aimed at building, protecting and monetizing the brands of its clients, which include the NFLPA, PGA Tour and NHL. Memphis enlisted the company’s services. New NIL rules went into effect July 1, and several Tigers are already taking advantage of them.
Wide receiver Javon Ivory has partnered with Go2device, which specializes in creating mouthguards to increase oxygen and endurance. Guard Johnathan Lawson is conducting a summer basketball camp for boys and girls in Au
gust. Defensive back Quindell Johnson has partnered with Yoke, a gaming app that allows people to play video games with their favorite athletes.
“Our vision is to help every athlete at Memphis – invest in them and give them the tools, education and ability to protect themselves as they move forward in the NIL era, if they so choose,” Chris Kutz, director of Opendorse's “Ready” program, told The Commercial Appeal earlier this month.
Opendorse's services include personalized resources and education. The Ready, Social, Social Integration, and Social Music services within Opendorse run the university a total of $19,993.51. Monitor, which makes up the rest of the overall price tag, gives Memphis' athletes the ability to report their endorsements and revenue to the school's compliance office.
“Monitor allows (Memphis) to have athletes disclose their activity to make sure there's nothing fishy going on,” Kutz said.
Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @munzly.