KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Several Vols players connected with AT&T on a new Name, Image and Likeness deal. The company announced Sunday that it worked with The Volunteer Club and Lady Vol Boost (HER) Club to connect with the athletes.
"I think people are catching on because college sports if you think about it — people connect the most with college," said Alan Hill, the regional director for AT&T. "There's an emotional connection with the college. You look at ESPN GameDay, for instance, you don't have that with the NFL."
Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker was one of the students the company signed an agreement with, as well as Lady Vol basketball players Tamari Key, Jordan Walker and Sara Puckett.
Information was not available about how much money the athletes would make through the deal. It is the first time AT&T became involved in the NIL space across the U.S.
Hill said the idea for a NIL deal came to them in the spring. During the event on Sunday, he mentioned that the players would be posting on social media on behalf of AT&T and could be performing other publicity work.
"It started in the summer, and it's like, 'How do we navigate these waters?'" said Hill. "We reached a contract with these athletes."