National creators of premium content have already selected their NIL Money Kings, and I have zero interest in providing more oars to that beef battle boat. Besides, the names are obvious: Shane Rattler, Shareef O’Neil, Paige Bueckers – yawn! All very nice people and worthy of millions, but not exactly inspired choices.
In advertising, you either have Coca-Cola bucks to throw at Paige Bueckers, or you barely have enough dough to buy a can of Coca-Cola. I generally work with the latter. As a result, I’m compelled to get clever (which is difficult, as I am not clever).
Brands will find plenty of advertising value at Arkansas State, a program rife with secret stars and budding personalties. Because I’m completely insane, I will give a shortlist of potential spokespersons for absolutely free.
Faith Welch, Arkansas State Bowling
Welch is only a sophomore but she’s already a NTCA All-American and a member of a Red Wolves bowling team that finished runner-up in the NCAA national bowling tournament. If you’re Brunswick, Storm or Ebonite, I buy low now before she and head coach Justin Kostick wins more titles.
Bennett Pascoe, Arkansas State Track & Field
Pasocoe, a rising senior, is a nationally known name after earning Second Team All-American honors upon placing 11th in the steeplechase at the NCAA Championships. You taking notice, Puma?
Antonio Fletcher, Arkansas State Football
Fletcher is smooth on the field, but what makes him marketable is that he already has promo-instincts with a tweet-game that is sick, on fleek, and tight! Put this readymade spokesking to work, Madison Avenue.
Hailey Cloud, Arkansas State Soccer
As just a freshman last season, Cloud earned Second Team All-Sun Belt honors and garners United Soccer Coaches Third Team All-Southeast Region accolades. Red Wolves Soccer is on the rise, and Cloud’s star is shining bright. Strike while this iron is heating up, Umbro.
Norchad Omier, Arkansas State Basketball
I’m not sure if you knew, but Omier is the first student-athlete from Nicaragua to sign a Division I basketball scholarship. He’s only a sophomore, and he was named the Sun Belt’s Freshman of the Year last season because all he did was dunk balls and stat double-doubles. The dude’s a superstar, and you need to ink this guy, Adidas, before he gets lava hot.
The A-State Concrete Canoe Team, Arkansas State Engineering
Is constructing a canoe made of concrete a sport? If you muttered “no,” then you’re at serious odds with the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), who have sponsored a concrete canoe contest since the 1970s. The A-State Engineering Team finally launched a national contender this season, so brands like Quikrete will want to get these legends signed on the line that is dotted pronto.
Grace Flowers, Arkansas State Track & Field
This season, Flowers qualified for the NCAA West Regionals in the hammer toss, where she hurled a career-best throw of 59.10m. You’re gonna pass on a super-woman who can throw a chunk of metal 194 feet? No, you’re not.
PHOTO CREDIT: Arkansas State Athletics
Howl Raiser 