Purdue men’s basketball star Zach Edey, a two-time AP Player of the Year award winner, expressed frustration with the limitations on name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals due to U.S. laws as a Canadian student on a visa. Edey believes he has missed out on potential opportunities to earn money this season and hopes for a change in the laws in the future. Other international players on the Gonzaga Bulldogs team also shared similar sentiments of being unable to capitalize on NIL deals due to their status.
Edey and his teammate Will Berg, who is from Sweden, are both prohibited from engaging in NIL deals in the U.S. because of their international status. The current laws have hindered these players from taking advantage of potential opportunities to profit from their likeness, unlike their American counterparts who can benefit from various revenue streams. Despite these challenges, the players remain focused on their basketball careers and the upcoming games, such as the Final Four matchup against N.C. State.
However, Edey is hopeful that the laws will eventually change to allow international players like himself to participate in NIL deals and increase their earnings. He understands the legal process may take time but believes it is necessary for a fair playing field for all athletes, regardless of nationality. Edey’s desire for change reflects a broader issue faced by international athletes who are unable to take advantage of NIL opportunities because of existing regulations that limit their ability to profit from their image and likeness.
The restrictions on international athletes particularly impact players like Edey and Berg, who have achieved success in collegiate sports but are unable to capitalize on their marketability due to their foreign status. Despite their inability to engage in NIL deals in the U.S., both players remain committed to their college teams and are focused on their performance on the court. Edey’s call for changing the laws governing NIL deals highlights the disparities faced by international athletes in the competitive landscape of college sports.
As Purdue continues its journey in the national championship game, Edey, Berg, and other international players will navigate the challenges posed by the current laws governing NIL deals. The support for change among these athletes reflects a growing demand for reform to ensure equity and fairness in the opportunities available to college athletes. With the continued advocacy for altering existing regulations, there is hope that international players like Edey and Berg will have the opportunity to benefit from NIL deals in the future and enhance their earning potential in collegiate sports.
