Kam Kinchens chooses Miami football partially because of NIL business opportunties

Four-star safety Kamren Kinchens chose the Miami football program in part because of the business opportunities he can have with college athletes now allowed to use their name, imagine and likeness to earn money.

The recent addition by the NCAA to allow athletes to seek financial opportunities via their own name, image and likeness played a part in four-star safety Kamren Kinchens choosing the Miami football program over Auburn. Texas A&M was also in the mix. Kinchens stated that Miami is a big city that contributed to his decision.

In an interview with Andrew Ivins of Inside the U, Kinchens discussed the differences between playing at a school in a big metropolitan area like Miami versus attending college in a small town. The decision by Kinchens to choose Miami in part because of the business opportunities is a good sign for the Hurricanes future.

Kinchens stated that both schools were a good fit but that the overall lifestyle is better in Miami. Choosing Miami will allow Kinchens to stay home and the opportunities presented to him to use his name, image and likeness will be far greater in South Florida than it would have been on the plains in Eastern Alabama.

If Kinchens can become a star at Miami the potential to promote himself from Coral Gables is large. Miami backup quarterback Tate Martell has 248,000 followers on Instagram. That would be a difficult number for Kinchens to reach but it is a lot more likely from Coral Gables than from Auburn, Alabama.

"“I feel like both schools were perfect for me when it came to the fit. The more I want out of life is here in Miami. I just felt like a small college town and a big city town are two different things when it comes to the business side of things so with the [name, image and likeness thing] that basically became a plus to what I was already feeling from the UM staff.”"

The athletic administration and coaching staff for the Miami football team have often discussed the potential for athletes to use their NIL in the future matriculating in Coral Gables. The decision by the NCAA to finally allow athletes to promote themselves is a game-changer. It will help Miami in recruiting.

Power Five schools in urban areas will gain an advantage over those in more traditional college towns away from urban conglomerations. Kinchens is one of the first players to acknowledge the importance of future business opportunities he will have in influencing his college decision. Miami will continue to promote that.