In a first for a high-profile ex-professional athlete, North Carolina A&T freshman golfer J.R. Smith — a retired 16-year NBA guard — has signed with Excel Sports for NIL representation, agent Lance Young told ESPN.
Smith, 36, has just begun his second semester with the Aggies. His emergence as the most prominent Division I golfer has prompted significant endorsement opportunities that could see him in the six-figures of the NCAA’s new image, name and likeness legislation.
Young says there is a lot of NIL interest from clothing and golf equipment manufacturers, as well as video game companies.
Smith has expressed a desire to become a bridge to the sport of golf for underrepresented minority groups, and his matriculation as a full-time undergraduate at N.C. A&T — an HBCU in Greensboro, North Carolina, has captured significant attention. Smith has six million Instagram followers and a large social media following.
Smith’s salary was approximately $90million over his entire career. He was awarded titles with the Cleveland Cavaliers(2016) and Los Angeles Lakers(2020) and won the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award. New York Knicks2013 Smith, one of the most prominent preps to-the-pros players, made the jump from St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark (New Jersey) to the NBA draft. He was the 18th pick to New Orleans.
The NIL does not allow for the full rights of professional endorsement agreements. Smith cannot promote sponsors at NCAA-approved events. However, Smith can make commercials or social media posts. NIL representation is not available for companies that deal in alcohol, tobacco, and gambling.
A NIL deal cannot provide performance bonuses for college golf tournament play. Smith’s appeal for companies lies in his ex-NBA player status, which can open up new audiences for brands.