Most athletes have the dream of playing pro. The fame, money, and class that comes with playing at the pro-level is unmatched for any athlete. Fans shouting in harmony to the teams fight song, scoring the game winning goal, getting to sign autographs for a young fan, these are all moments that athletes dream about. However, this reality is a pipe dream for most athletes with less than 2% of athletes turning pro (NCAA 2024). Athletes fall away to the side as their professional careers come to a close, and they are left to be forgotten. But what if I told you that this could be different. With the rise of NIL mixed with athlete branding, athletes around the world have the opportunity to change their image. Now athletes can have a career outside of athletics and be seen more than just an athlete but as a human.
As I began to put pen to paper surrounding my blog posts, I wanted to come up with an idea that was both informative and transformative. This led me to discuss how women college basketball athletes can elevate their brand and image. With the rise of NIL in the past four years, college athletes are able to profit off of their name.This has grown exponentially as we have seen many athletes turn into more than just athletes. They have turned into role models, brand images, and dynamic playmakers in the communications field. With the likes of Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers and more, these athletes have been able to raise their brand on and off the court. With an engaging social media presence athletes are seen as more than just hoopers they are playmakers in the communications field.
Within this blog hoopers, fans, and aspiring communication professionals can get a deeper dive into how athletes can expand their game. In particular, I will narrow into how women college basketball athletes can elevate their brand. From social media tricks, navigating the landscape of NIL, and showcasing athletes who have made a difference in elevating their brand, this is a space to showcase the future of NIL and women’s college basketball.
The future is now when it comes to creating name, image, and likeness opportunities for women’s college basketball athletes. Elevating brand image, creating strategic goals in terms of creating a strategic brand, and building a culture of growth on social media are all exciting areas that this blog will cover. Now is the time to elevate your brand, are you in?
Source:
NCAA. (n.d.). NCAA recruiting facts. https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/compliance/recruiting/NCAA_RecruitingFactSheet.pdf
Thomas Burkel 
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