Sun Devil Athletics NIL Panel
There is no doubt the landscape of collegiate athletics and specifically college football has undergone a seemingly permanent alteration in the last 12-24 months. With the ability of student-athletes to be compensated for their Name, Image and Likeness as well as a university’s ability to provide financial rewards for academic performance.
With such a tumultuous period full of seemingly unceasing unpredictability, Sun Devil Athletics is proud to be pivoting and adjusting in stride, in lock step with the Sun Devil Community.
Sun Devil Football recently hosted an open house after a practice where new uniforms were unveiled and fans were allowed to tour the facility. In addition, a panel was created to discuss these changes and their implications consisting of Sun Devil Club Board President and Sun Angel Collective founding board member Chris Michaels, Sun Devil Club Associate AD Kirby Mills and Senior Director of Athletics Compliance Justin Pollnow.
"As President of the Sun Devil Club Board and a founding board member for the Sun Angel Collective, I think it is important that people understand we now have multiple ways for anyone to support ASU athletics," said Michaels. "Every gift makes a difference, whether it is purchasing a ticket, underwriting a scholarship, giving a one-time donation or signing up for a monthly subscription with the Sun Angel Collective. It all benefits our student-athletes and helps move the needle for the institution as a whole."
While the collective works outside of the department itself, there is a close sense of collaboration between them and entities such as the Sun Devil Club who also aim to provide the best student-athlete experience possible.
“We have 600+ student-athletes across our 26 sports and our goal should always be to support them in every way possible,” Mills said. “Having multiple avenues to support our student-athletes gives donors the opportunity to be empowered by making a commitment that is meaningful to the impact they want to have.”
Amid the change and transition, there are plenty of questions surrounding legality and NCAA Compliance.
“As a reminder, Sun Devil Athletics and our representatives (e.g., Sun Angel Collective, individual donors) cannot use NIL regulations to circumvent NCAA Bylaws 13 or 16,” added Pollnow. “In other words, NIL deals cannot be used to induce prospective student-athletes to attend ASU nor compensate student-athletes for athletics performance. If you have any questions, please contact the Compliance Office at SunDevilsAsk@asu.edu. And for more information on NIL, please visit our website at sundevilcompliance.asu.edu/nil.
Change and unpredictability bring with them uncertainty and fear, but so to do they bring opportunity, an opportunity for Sun Devil Athletics to grow and continue to provide a premiere experience to 600+ student-athletes across 26 programs.
To make a gift in support of our student-athletes or to learn more about how you can get involved with the Sun Angel Collective, use the links below: