In Steve Smith’s third year as UCF’s director of player development, the school began preparing for the upcoming revolution.
Soon, college athletes would have the opportunity to earn money from their name, image, and likeness for the first time.
“They all call me ‘Smitty,’ and they said, ‘Smitty, you need to make sure none of our athletes jeopardize their eligibility prior to this being passed and going into effect,’” Smith recalled.
UCF’s compliance department brought up then-starting star quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who expressed interest in launching a clothing brand. It was Smith’s introduction to NIL, and it opened his eyes to uncharted territory and what he considered boundless opportunities. A few months later, in August 2021, he made a career pivot and became an NIL agent.
Smith established his own LLC and registered with the state of Florida as a sports agent. His first client? The easygoing left-handed QB from Hawaii.
Smith, along with others who recognized the need and opportunity, entered an industry where everyone is navigating a changing marketplace. It extends beyond setting up partnerships with brands, as Gabriel, who later transferred to Oklahoma and then Oregon, had deals with Old Spice, Sonic, and other brands. The intersection of NIL and the transfer portal has created a new cycle of competitive matching between schools and players, where NIL deals play a role in players choosing new programs.
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College football portal confidential: How tampering, NIL deals, and portal chaos happen
Collectives affiliated with schools often provide packages ranging from tens of thousands to, in some cases, millions, in exchange for social media posts, public appearances, or autographed memorabilia before or after a transfer signs with a new school.
The spring portal window closed in April after being open for two weeks. In that time, over 850 scholarship football players entered the portal. Overall, more than 2,600 scholarship college football players entered the transfer portal this offseason in search of a new home.
Due to legal challenges to the NCAA, rules prohibiting NIL deals from being used as incentives to attend specific schools are no longer enforced, and athletes are allowed unlimited transfers and immediate eligibility.
Regarding the portal, some agents, who spoke with The Athletic on condition of anonymity, mentioned that securing the most lucrative deal with collectives is a top priority for some players. However, some agents stated that they are not solely focused on maximizing earnings through college free agency — their goal is to assist athletes in building a marketable brand by considering the bigger picture.
NEWS: Top QB Jaden Rashada is entering the transfer portal per his agency Disruptive Sports @disruptivesport @henryorgann pic.twitter.com/jIiZnG3FN2
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) April 18, 2024
Agents’ involvement in the transfer portal has become more visible, with players mentioning or thanking their agencies in transfer announcements, and representatives speaking on their behalf to reporters regarding offers and visits. However, their roles vary with a wide range of qualifications and levels of involvement.
A common belief, even among agents themselves, is that anyone’s aunt or uncle can function as an NIL agent.