College athletes signing name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals has become more common since the approval of such agreements in 2021. Cooper Flagg, the highly touted Duke men's basketball player, is the latest to join this trend by signing a deal with Gatorade, a subsidiary of PepsiCo.
Flagg, projected to be the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, already has NIL deals with brands like New Balance and New Era. In a statement, Flagg expressed his excitement about joining the Gatorade team and working with such an iconic brand.
Gatorade, known for its sports drinks, has previously worked with notable college athletes like Paige Bueckers and JuJu Watkins. Jeff Kearney, the global head of sports marketing at Gatorade, praised Flagg's talent and expressed excitement about fueling him as he begins his collegiate career.
The terms of Flagg's deal with Gatorade, like his other agreements, have not been disclosed. However, it is clear that the college sports landscape has changed significantly, allowing athletes like Flagg to capitalize on endorsement deals in ways that were not possible before.
Flagg's NIL deals come before playing his first official college basketball game, as Duke is set to play their first regular-season game against Maine. This signifies a shift in how college athletes can leverage their talents and popularity to secure lucrative partnerships with major brands.
Overall, Flagg's agreement with Gatorade adds to the growing list of college athletes benefiting from NIL opportunities in the new era of collegiate sports. As more athletes like Flagg continue to sign deals with prominent brands, it will be interesting to see how this trend shapes the future of college athletics.