College Athletes: Show Us the Money; Businesses: Let’s Talk, Maybe

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Villanova's Ryan Arcidiacono (top, right) and teammates celebrate Kris Jenkins' win in 2016 NCAA title game.
Image via Young Kim, The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Villanova's Ryan Arcidiacono (top, right) and teammates celebrate Kris Jenkins' win in 2016 NCAA title game.

As of last Thursday, college athletes can now profit from their name, image, and likeness. Some businesses are already envisioning the possibilities, writes Mike Jensen for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Harry Davis, owner of Capri Homemade Italian Ice in Wayne, wouldn’t mind some product promotion from Villanova athletes already enjoying his store.

“Let me tell you something, Villanova basketball players, they used to live in here,” Davis said. “Donte DiVincenzo, he’d come in here. After they won [the 2018 NCAA title], he sat out there for an hour, had his picture taken with every kid.”

Now  DiVincenzo could get paid for promoting his water ice.

Land Rover Main Line made a deal with Ryan Acidiacono because of his 2016 NCAA success, but only after his eligibility was done.

Now, in theory, current Villanova University star Colin Gillespie could make that same deal while still a student.

“Too soon to say,” says the dealership about the new NCAA ruling.

But the potential is definitely there. A lot of Villanova season ticket holders who own businesses wouldn’t mind sponsorship deals with Villanova athletes.

Read more at The Philadelphia Inquirer about a new era of college sports.

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