Oklahoma-focused NIL collective Crimson and Cream announced on Friday that it has reached an NIL partnership with all 115 student-athletes on the Sooners football roster.
The Crimson and Cream NIL collective, which launched back in September, started a fundraising campaign that generated $1.6 million in annual donations from boosters, donors, and Oklahoma alumni, among others.
RELATED: Oklahoma’s General Booty, NIL collective Crimson and Cream partner on new venture
Now, every football player on Oklahoma’s roster – including scholarship athletes, walk-ons, transfers, and mid-year recruits – will have the opportunity to profit off their name, image and likeness.
Sooners starting quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who is no stranger to NIL deals, announced that he signed with Crimson and Cream on his social media platforms.
“I am pumped to announce my new partnership with @crimsoncreamnil❗️ It is never too early to start gearing up for next season and you can join me with a subscription to @crimsoncreamnil. Sooner Nation, we’re all in this together! ☝️ Boomer! http://crimsoncreamcollective.com/subscribe,” Gabriel wrote on his Twitter page.
I am pumped to announce my new partnership with @crimsoncreamnil❗️ It is never too early to start gearing up for next season and you can join me with a subscription to @crimsoncreamnil. Sooner Nation, we’re all in this together! ☝️ Boomer! https://t.co/hEFUN1cQMF pic.twitter.com/HCR5jL0fMl
— Dillon Gabriel (@_dillongabriel_) January 13, 2023
A few other Oklahoma football players tweeted out their signings with the collective:
I am truly thrilled to announce my partnership with @crimsoncreamnil! ???? They are changing the NIL landscape & providing opportunities for ALL OU student-athletes! Join me and subscribe today at https://t.co/BqjKUQGvw8 pic.twitter.com/6NUlLATOZR
— KE(Y) LAWRENCE ????C❌C (@KeShawn2x) January 13, 2023
Sooner Nation, your support never goes unnoticed. Which is why I am so thrilled to partner with @crimsoncreamNIL because they allow YOU to empower @ou_football student-athletes in new ways through a monthly subscription! ???? Join today at https://t.co/VVNUWUMkbW Boomer! pic.twitter.com/XdGDSxjpUY
— ² killbill (@Billy2Bowman) January 13, 2023
Sooner Nation, your support never goes unnoticed! Which is why I am excited to partner with @crimsoncreamNIL because they allow YOU to empower @ou_football student-athletes ???? in new ways through a monthly subscription! ???? Join today! Boomer! https://t.co/eNPkIENT3D pic.twitter.com/MqG7jzOSCY
— Woodi Washington (@Woodi1k) January 13, 2023
I am so excited to announce my new partnership with @crimsoncreamnil❗️ They are changing the NIL landscape & providing opportunities for ALL OU student-athletes! Join me and subscribe today at https://t.co/98kseORXnJ Boomer! ☝️ pic.twitter.com/ujGKOVGI4n
— McKade Mettauer ????⬜️ (@Mckade64) January 13, 2023
With this huge signing, there’s no doubt about it that Oklahoma is becoming a viable option for football players to take advantage of their name, image and likeness at one of the most historic programs in college football.
Attorney David McGriff, who goes by ‘The NIL Lawyer’ on Twitter, thinks it’s a great idea that collectives are signing student-athletes to team-wide deals.
“Many athletes that come to me for NIL guidance do not have a clue as to how to start the process,” McGriff explained to The NIL Deal. “Walking into a situation where you already have a NIL offer waiting for you is a huge jumpstart for these young student-athletes. Once you have one deal under your belt it can empower you to seek out additional opportunities.”
RELATED: Crimson and Cream NIL collective raises over $1 million in funds for Oklahoma athletes
Crimson and Cream also has deals in place with Oklahoma’s men’s basketball team.
It appears collectives are more and more likely to sign entire teams to NIL deals, as it continues to be a trend in the name, image and likeness landscape.
