By Sydney Bailey, Keane Blackbourne, and Carson Hilbert

Name, Image, and Likeness brought along many benefits for student-athletes individually. In 2021, the Supreme Court made a landmark decision regarding NIL deals in the case National Collegiate Athletic Association v. Alston. This case entirely changed the game for college athletes as they were now allowed to make profit on their name, image, and likeness due to the opinion of the Court. The benefits that this case has on college athletes are plentiful, as they are now able to see money flowing straight into their pockets from NIL deals. Freshman Volleyball player at The Ohio State University, Olivia Hasbrook, shares her insight on how the new NIL ruling has positively impacted her as an individual. 

Hasbrook quickly settled an NIL deal with Ozuna Fresh, an air freshening company, quickly following her arrival at Ohio State. Hasbrook states, “Ozuna Fresh has given me several free products that I use in my dorm and locker room that are really nice to have.” Aside from the products she’s received, Hasbrook addresses how her NIL deal has benefitted her financially as she explained, “Ozuna Fresh has given me a lot of opportunities for money with paid media day opportunities as well as connections with other athletes.” The NIL ruling has made several athletes’ lives easier as they no longer have to worry about financials while being an ‘unemployed’ college athlete.  

NIL has helped many athletes to financially benefit off themselves. Dr. Clavio, a professor for IU and Director of the National Sports Journalism center, spoke about what NIL is and what it’s doing for athletes. NIL especially has given light to women’s sports with athletes like Caitlin Clark, Livvy Dunne, and Angel Reese have made a huge pathway for women colligate athletes. 

“NIL has opened a door for women sports,” says Dr. Clavio, “It’s easier to view college athletes compared to five years ago.” Women’s sports due to NIL has made viewers more interested in women’s sports. Especially when rising stars in women’s college basketball such as Paige Bueckers and Flau’jae Johnson now starting to rise it could raise the standard even more for women’s sports.  

Also, with the new settlement college athletes will receive more money after a judge granted a $2.78 billion legal settlement to those athletes. With this NCAA schools are going to be limited to spend around 23 million each year with the money of the cap rising each year. The schools will be restricted to pay around 22% of media revenue, ticket revenue, and sponsorships revenue with student athletes. This settlement means that athletes could get paid even more money than what they have been before if the cap gets higher and higher. 

“There’s no legal basis for the amount the athlete can be paid,” says Dr. Clavio. With this information athletes could potentially paid millions or even and could be paid similar to what professional athletes are. This could be potentially very tricky for schools but positive for athletes as they don’t have to worry to much about their future careers if the athletes are being paid really good money. 

Several strangers around Indiana University’s campus are asked about what they feel the benefits to NIL are. Their answers had great variety but shared a few common themes

With the turn in all these laws surrounding collegiate athletes being paid, many of them are now making upwards of hundreds of thousands of dollars for their representation of the universities as high-level athletes. While we can clearly see the benefit that this had for the student-athletes, it is also fair to say that it can be just as beneficial for the universities that are touting their big name athletes. Especially when there are big name athletes in smaller sports. Take Livvy Dunne for example. She is and was a very popular internet personality, but competes in gymnastics, a sport that isn’t terribly popular outside of the Olympics. However, LSU’s arena was nearly sold out in every one of their matches for the 2024 season. According to Voltedu.com, “With an online following in the seven figures, who is to say how big of an impact she had on ticket sales.” Since the schools themselves don’t have to pay the athletes, this comes as an advantage for both parties. Other athletes will also be more interested after seeing the opportunities that are available to them, raising the advantage even more by offering the chance for more talent or big names to represent their university.

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Media Contacts
Sloane Killinger(writer)
Catherine Hattery(Photographer)
Sydney Bailey(Editor)

Apple Reveals its First Ever Digital Watch 

Cupertino, California (Sept. 9, 2014)- Apple CEO, Tim Cook, launched the Apple Watch at the 2014 Spring Forward Event, representing a new era of connectivity and wearable technology.

As previously seen by Apple, they are not quite finished yet and still have “One More Thing”. With constant innovation and creation of new populating digital products, there has been a skyrocketing advancement in the world of technology over the last 13 years. As Cook confidently took the stage Tuesday night, to announce the launch of the Apple Watch, he carried himself with poise in jeans and a navy-blue button up. Slow spoken with a great deal of certainty, Cook convinced his audience of the customizable capabilities and personal experiences this new product would provide.

The well-designed car like promo video and live demo by Kevin Lynch, presented the functionality of this watch. Demonstrating the innovative new features of the Apple watch on his wrist, the crowd was ecstatic to see such intimacy that a device like this could enable.

VP of Apple design, Johhny Ive, narrated the promotional video of the digital watch. He described the singularity and individuality of design, reedifying what it means to wear a watch. Gone are the days in which watches can only tell time, now they could tell your blood pressure, heart rate, and communicate with your friends and family. The level and sheer scale of innovation had not been seen in the industry since the release of the first iPhone. Cook then followed with insightful information on the extra elements of functionality that this watch would provide. With the most important feature being the ‘digital crown’.

The small dial on the side of the watch has magnifying capabilities to zoom in and out, making this product more than just a miniature iPhone. It has a ‘glances’ feature to display quick information as well. Whereas all watches that came before had zero technological applications, the Apple watch combined the timeless elegance of Rolex watches with the new age technological breakthroughs of the 21st.

The idea behind this product was to create more personalization in the digital world. Fortunately, Apple has done just that, and seemingly, through a single chip. By installing a tactic engine into the watch, touch and force senses have been enabled. Your watch will notify you through digital touch communication. The feeling of one’s own heartbeat has never been so easily shared between two people. “For the first time, and with great intention, we’ve designed not only what you see, but also what you hear and feel.” said Johnny Ive.

This new line of technology also appeals to a wide variety of people, with a total of three different Apple Watch models: the Apple Watch, the Apple Watch Sport, and the Apple Watch Edition. In addition to the three different watch models, there are an array of customizable bands as well. Each focusing on either quality, comfort, fashion, or most importantly, fitness. As explained in his speech, “The Apple Watch will help a lot of people live a better day and a healthier life.” said Cook. Counting your steps, accomplishing your activity goals, and keeping up with your heart rate, are just a few features that this device will provide.

Finally, Cook revealed the cost and release date of this exciting new product. With prices starting at $349, these striking digital watches will officially launch early 2015. These exciting new features will have Apple lovers all over this product. As this event concluded, the audience reveled in excitement. As Cook happily thanked all those who made the apple watch possible, he proudly waved goodbye to his audience, leaving them with an amazing hands-on experience unlike anything they have ever seen before. Or rather, “A new innovative, intimate way to communicate directly from your wrist.” said Cook.

Fitness promo video for apple watch plays for the audience. This technological breakthrough assists people in several different facets of exercise. 

Apple watch intro video finishes playing for audience and is received well. Tim cook’s apparent emotion reflected into the audience and was met with roaring applause and a standing ovation.

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