Antwan Owens, a Jackson State defensive end, became the country’s first athlete to sign a deal under the new guidelines. The NCAA announced that players have the ability to profit off their own name, image, and likeness.
The new policy took effect July 1. Owens signed an endorsement deal with Three Kings Grooming, a black-owned hair product shop. The deal took place during a ceremony at midnight, July 1, in New York City.
The lineman from Jackson State was overjoyed. “Somebody pinch me! This is something that is going to be life changing, generationally life changing, ” he exclaimed.
Three Kings Grooming intends to sign three more players from the same university. Their goal is to support HBCU’s. They also noted their support for Deion Sanders as a reason for choosing the FCS school.
Many say there is a high probability that more athletes will sign their first NIL deals this week.
