Miami Hurricanes QB D’Eriq King continued NIL leader with new deal

Miami Hurricanes quarterback D’Eriq King has been one of the leaders acquiring deals during the four weeks that players have been able to agree to name, image and likeness contracts. A report from ESPN on Wednesday stated King and two other QBs agreed to deal this week with Panini, a memorabilia and trading card company.

Quarterbacks Matt Corral of Mississippi and Graham Mertz of Wisconsin also agreed to the deal with Panini. ESPN reported that the deals will include “The players plan to sell footballs, helmets and other items while also appearing at public signing events.” Panini released a press explaining their mission.

Panini stated they are able to work with college student-athletes in a new way with the implementation of allowing deals based on NIL. Panini views the deals with King, Corrall and Mertz as the first step in a long partnership that will carry through to their prospective careers in the NFL.

ESPN reported that Panini plans to create trading cards for current college athletes in the future. Panini had created cards in the past with images of collegiate athletes. Until July 1, NCAA rules prohibited companies from working with athletes and for the athletes to be able to profit off of their NIL.

King has been at the forefront of NIL deals in the four weeks since players were eligible to acquire deals for themselves. King and Florida State quarterback McKenzie Milton who transferred from UCF in the offseason were two of the founders of Dreamfield, a NIL company specializing in event appearances for athletes.

Miami Hurricanes athletes have been one of the most active acquiring NIL deals. Multiple Hurricanes have agreed to endorsement deals locally and nationally. NIL can be a game-changer in recruiting for programs that have opportunities for athletes to earn endorsement deals. South Florida should be prosperous for college athletes.