By Jyesha Nance
Historically Black Colleges and Universities often struggle with limited resources and smaller athletic budgets compared to larger institutions, making it difficult for them to provide Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities for their student-athletes.
Eric Lyles, a Texas Southern Alum and current Management Support Specialist at MET Agency, witnessed firsthand the lack of resources available to HBCU athletes during his time interning in the athletics and operations department at Texas Southern. Lyles believes that increased funding and resources for athletic departments at HBCUs would be a step in the right direction to address these challenges.
Athletes at Power Five schools' benefit from strong alumni networks and booster support, leading to more NIL opportunities. HBCUs, on the other hand, may not have the same level of alumni engagement or financial resources to support their athletes in this way. As a result, athletes from high-profile schools with larger fan bases and market reach are more likely to attract partnerships with companies and brands, leaving HBCU athletes at a disadvantage in leveraging their personal brands for endorsement deals.
On top of the lack of alumni networks and booster support, HBCUs do not receive as much coverage or exposure as their counterparts from Power Five conferences, making it harder to get sponsors and endorsements. According to Lyles, during his tenure at TSU, none of the players received NIL deals, and several great players were ignored due to the lack of visibility. It is estimated that about 60 TSU athletes have made it to the professional level in football, but the last one to be drafted was in 2015 (that’s the disadvantage of one of the many HBCUs that suffer). Fanarch.com reports that 69.1% of NFL players come from Power Five schools, while 30.9% come from Group Five schools and other divisions.
HBCUs lacks the infrastructure to provide athletes with the necessary education and support to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of NIL opportunities. Shutting out access to the same level of legal and financial guidance as their counterparts at larger institutions. Despite these challenges, there is a growing awareness of the need to support HBCU athletes in capitalizing on NIL opportunities. MET Agency is dedicated to leveling the playing field and providing HBCU athletes with resources and the support they need to succeed in the NIL marketplace. With our tier system and upcoming special incentives for HBCU athletes only, we strive to make a change and provide resources to HBCU athletes.
MET Agency is open to partnering with HBCU's to explore creative ways to bring more NIL funds to its athletes. This may also include establishing collectives which can also benefit the HBCUs themselves.