Zach Edey and DJ Burns, centers for Purdue and North Carolina State respectively, faced off in an NCAA tournament semifinal game, showcasing their big, athletic, physical presence on the court. The key difference between the two players is their ability to profit off of name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities. While Burns has been able to earn a significant amount of money through marketing deals, Edey, a 7-foot-4 senior from Canada, has been unable to capitalize on these opportunities due to U.S. regulations regarding F-1 visa holders.
Despite Edey’s impressive performance on the court, leading Purdue to a victory over North Carolina State and earning accolades such as the AP Player of the Year for two consecutive seasons, he has been limited in his ability to earn income from his success as a college athlete. While Burns has been able to secure deals with companies like adidas, Barstool Sports, and CVS Pharmacy, Edey’s opportunities for marketing deals are constrained by his visa status, leaving him with only passive income options.
Edey, who grew up in Toronto, has partnered with a company to release trading cards, but these deals are considered passive income as he is not actively promoting products. The limitations placed on international students like Edey prevent them from fully capitalizing on the potential income that American college athletes are able to access through NIL opportunities. Edey expressed his frustration with the current regulations, acknowledging the need for change in the U.S. law governing NIL to better support athletes like himself.
Purdue coach Matt Painter highlighted the discrepancies in the system, noting the disparity between the revenue generated by athletes and the restrictions placed on their ability to profit from their own name, image, and likeness. He emphasized the need for guardrails around NIL opportunities to ensure fair compensation for athletes who contribute significantly to the success and profitability of college sports. Edey echoed these sentiments, calling for a shift in the legal framework to enable international students like himself to benefit from potential marketing deals.
As Edey continues to focus on his basketball career and lead Purdue to success on the court, he remains hopeful for changes to the NIL regulations that would allow him and other international athletes to fully participate in the opportunities available to American college athletes. The disparity between Edey’s limited access to NIL earnings and Burns’ success in securing lucrative deals highlights the need for reform in the system to ensure fair compensation for all athletes who contribute to the success of college sports. Changes in the legal framework governing NIL could open up new opportunities for athletes like Edey to benefit from their hard work and talent both on and off the court.
