The Florida Panthers have offered name, image and likeness deals to more than 200 female student-athletes at Florida Atlantic University (FAU).
“We’re so excited to announce this next stage of our ‘FLA Athlete’ program and bring an entire collegiate athlete women’s program into our Panthers family,” said Panthers chief strategy officer Sam Doerr. “We look forward to supporting and collaborating with these talented female athletes.”
Doerr also said that the Panthers have allocated funds in anticipation of all 200 athletes signing.
“We talked about this from Day 1,” Doerr said. “We really, truly believe there is a market out there for female athletes. We’ve got 200 athletes we can work with in different ways and grow the brand.”
The deal will pay each athlete some cash along with tickets to Panthers games and other merchandise in exchange for promoting the NHL franchise on social media and at in-person events. Furthermore, the two athletes who generate the most buzz on social media during the season will also receive a four-figure bonus payment.
No other major sports franchise is known to have made such an offer. Previously, Florida signed Miami Hurricanes QB D’Eriq King to an NIL deal.
Dreamfield
Dreamfield, the NIL marketplace for college athletes, will be the background technology and consultant on the “FLA Athlete” program. Dreamfield’s goal is: “Championing for athletes through a safe and compliant NIL marketplace!”