The Name, Image and Likeness trend at the University of Miami is on an upward trajectory and steadily rising — as are the amounts of the contracts.
Add quarterback Jake Garcia to the list of Miami Hurricanes who have signed relatively hefty contracts to promote the businesses of Miami attorney and huge Hurricanes fan John Ruiz — a billionaire who not only is pumping his financial support into UM athletics but also leading the charge to bring a football stadium closer to the Coral Gables campus.
Some, such as Kinchens, Williams, Mallory and Nelson, will get $3,500 a month ($42,000 total), Ruiz said. Others, such as Harvey, George, Arroyo and Brinson, will get $3,000 a month ($36,000 total). Additionally, Ruiz told the Herald that several other UM athletes have been offered NIL deals by his companies.
“There are five University of Miami baseball players who have been offered NIL deals and there have been verbal agreements now being converted into actual agreements,’’ Ruiz said. “That number will grow.
There are multiple UM basketball players who have been offered NIL deals and I’m waiting to see their decisions.’’ Ruiz said the NIL contracts with football players “have been reviewed by [UM] and we received an email back from them stating the agreements we submitted did not involve any conditions that would deem any of those players ineligible.
“The only thing that changes, based on the amount of the contract, is that some of the players are required to perform more services than others. Some players are required to have more public appearances and some, more zoom appearances.” Ruiz said he’s using the same type contracts for other athletes who were offered deals “so there’s no reason to suspect any of the ones we submitted will not be approved.’’
‘Super gratifying’ Said Kawa: “These deals are super gratifying, super important. The landscape of college football has changed and watching these kids’ faces when they sign these deals and knowing the financial pressure they go through is being alleviated is obviously gratifying.
“So, thanks to John Ruiz and Lomelo’s Meat Market. The support they give these kids is unparalleled and I can’t even express how appreciated they are.’’ The players will be required to promote LifeWallet as a brand, and some, as Frierson was scheduled to do Wednesday afternoon, will film commercials disseminated through social media. Taylor’s deal has him representing both LifeWallet and Cigarette Racing Team.
“It will be the first-ever commercial from LifeWallet’s perspective for an NIL deal,’’ Ruiz said. LifeWallet “provides healthcare practitioners access to your entire health history, including critical medical information that could save your life or that of a loved one,’’ Ruiz posted on Twitter last week. Johnny Ruiz, John’s son and a former UM standout infielder from 2014 through 2017, is the chief operating officer for Cigarette Racing Team, a power-boat manufacturing company.
“We all want winning teams but a lot of times we lose sight of what these kids go through, where they come from,’’ John Ruiz told Joe Rose on Wednesday in a WQAM interview.
“This is to improve the community. A lot of times these players can put smiles on other kids’ faces. “I’m working with children’s hospitals now trying to make all my contacts networking. …The most important thing is you’ve got to understand what a difference you make in these players’ lives when you’re able to get them some compensation for their name, image and likeness. It’s game-changing for them because many of them come from poor backgrounds and they really struggle.” ▪ Former UM defensive tackle Nesta Silvera is transferring to Arizona State and will play for coach Herm Edwards, a source told the Herald on Wednesday.
