Author of the article:
The Associated Press
Pat Eaton-robb
Published Feb 27, 2024 • Last updated 1 hour ago • 3 minute read
STORRS, Conn. (AP) — UConn forward Aaliyah Edwards signed a big name, image and likeness contract this week with adidas Canada, but wasn’t allowed to speak with reporters in Connecticut about it on Tuesday, for fear that promoting the deal might jeopardize her student visa.
Under current United States law, Edwards, who is from Kingston, Ontario, and other international students can only make money in this country with passive NIL deals. She gets a little something, for example, if someone buys a jersey with her name on it at the campus bookstore.
Advertisement 2
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O’Connor, Gabriel Friedman, Victoria Wells and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world’s leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O’Connor, Gabriel Friedman, Victoria Wells and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world’s leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.
Sign In or Create an Account
or
Article content
Article content
But unlike her teammate Paige Bueckers, who is estimated to be worth more than half a million dollars in the NIL world, Edwards can’t actively participate in endorsements in the United States.
Her financial security no doubt made it a bit easier for Bueckers to decide she will come back to UConn for another season rather than enter this year’s WNBA draft.
Edwards and fellow international player Nika Muhl (Croatia) also have eligibility remaining, but neither of them have announced whether they plan to return or turn pro.
Edwards, who is averaging more than 19 points and 10 rebounds a game for the Huskies (24-5, 16-0 Big East), said Tuesday that her decision will be based on basketball and achieving the goals she has for herself and the team. But she acknowledged that money is also a factor.
“Maybe a little bit,” she said. “It’s a little influence. But it’s really about the team.”
Adidas did not release terms of Edwards NIL deal, but a spokeswoman told The Associated Press Tuesday that the company is “being respectful of the NIL rules and Aaliyah will only participate in Canada during her NIL adidas Canada deal.”
By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
Article content
Advertisement 3
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Muhl said she’s pretty much made a decision on whether to return to UConn and is just waiting for the right time to make an announcement.
The senior guard said because she never had NIL money and it wasn’t part of the reason she chose to play at UConn, it won’t be a factor in her decision to leave or stay.
“The legacy here, the things that you learn are so much more than the money you can get,” she said. “I feel that is going to translate into life later … what you learned about perseverance, resilience, hard work, dedication, discipline. And you’re going to make money later on in life just by having that experience here.”
Their coach, Geno Auriemma, said he would love to see Congress carve out an exception to student visa rules that would allow international students to at least make grocery money, whether or not they are athletes.
But he said he understands the government can’t just open up work visas to anyone who wants one.
“If they can find a way to get these people treated the same as every other student athlete, great,” he said.
The issue has gotten the attention of Connecticut’s two U.S. senators, Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, who have both been pushing for better compensation for college athletes.
Advertisement 4
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Blumenthal, a Democrat, and Oregon Republican Pete Ricketts introduced legislation last October that would create a sub-category within the F-1 visa narrowly tailored to international student-athletes who want to pursue NIL opportunities. Blumenthal said Tuesday he doesn’t have a timetable for passage, but hopes to attach the legislation to an upcoming appropriations bill and get it approved this year.
“These restrictions are totally outdated as applied to NIL, and obviously hugely unfair,” he said.
___
Get poll alerts and updates on AP Top 25 basketball throughout the season. Sign up here.
___
AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball
Article content
>>> Read full article>>>
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source : Financial Post – https://financialpost.com/pmn/business-pmn/uconns-aaliyah-edwards-signs-nil-deal-in-canada-but-cant-talk-about-it-in-the-us
Unveiling 2024 Community Health Assessment: Join the Conversation and Collaborate for a Healthier Future!