Student-athletes' experience with name, image and likeness opportunities was a focal point of a panel discussion Thursday at the NCAA Convention in Phoenix.
Four student-athletes provided their perspective on the current NIL environment and their experiences navigating the space. The session also highlighted legislative changes approved Wednesday by the Division I Councilto enhance student-athlete protections regarding NIL rights.
Members of the panel, which included a representative from each division, were Josh Africa, a former golfer at Penn State Harrisburg; Leah Clapper, a former women's gymnast at Florida; Shani Idlette, a tennis player for Clark Atlanta; Keshawn Lynch, a football student-athlete at Norfolk State; and Lynda Tealer, deputy athletics director at Florida. The panel was hosted by Kristi Dosh, a former practicing attorney who now teaches NIL courses in the public relations, journalism and sport management programs at Florida and is a sports business contributor for Forbes, as well as the founder of BusinessofCollegeSports.com.
The discussion touched on several areas of the student-athletes' experiences in the NIL space, ranging from how NIL deals have changed their interactions on campus, the pros and cons of working with an agent, and the different ways they've found or been offered deals. They also shared personal tips and anecdotal successes they've experienced, as well as challenges they've faced. Additionally, panelists highlighted how administrators can better support student-athletes in the space.
The panelists
Josh Africa, United East Conference Division III SAAC Representative and Former Golfer at Penn State Harrisburg
Josh Africa is a member of the Division III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee as a representative of the United East Conference. A former golfer at Penn State Harrisburg, he was named the 2023 United East's Men's Golfer of the Year after winning the conference's individual championship in April. He also was named to the 2023 United East All-Conference first team and was named Penn State Harrisburg's male Pride-Spirit-Honor Award recipient.
Africa has leveraged his name, image and likeness by partnering with PlayBooked, a micromarketing platform that connects college athletes with brands. Through PlayBooked, Africa signed NIL deals with brands including Cash App, Skillset and ZipRecruiter. He also partnered with TwoYay, an NIL marketplace from Barstool Sports to connect advertisers and athletes. Through TwoYay, Africa completed NIL deals with Boost Mobile, Stick Figure Golf and Proud 90.
A native of Chesapeake, Virginia, Africa graduated with a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from Penn State Harrisburg in 2023. He is currently pursuing a career in professional golf.
Leah Clapper, Former Division I Women's Gymnast at Florida
Leah Clapper is a former women's gymnast, competing at Florida from July 2018 to April 2023. During her tenure, Florida won five consecutive Southeastern Conference regular- season championships and two SEC tournament championships. She has achieved numerous recognitions, including being named a 2021 and 2022 College Sports Communicators Academic All-American, 2021 All-SEC athlete and 2021 SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year. She also was named a 2022 Scholar-Athlete of the Year at the annual NIL Summit.
Clapper has leveraged her NIL opportunities, collaborating with multiple brands, including ZipRecruiter, Groupon and Gymnastics Mindset Academy. In May 2021, she co-founded Shine Creative, a direct-to-consumer company that aims to ignite the athletics spirit through unique, gymnastics-themed board games. In 2022, Clapper founded NIL Island, an online community devoted to helping student-athletes capitalize on their personal brands.
Clapper graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in advertising from Florida in 2021. She earned a Master of Arts (2022) in mass communications and a Master of Science (2023) in entrepreneurship from Florida.
Shani Idlette, Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Representative on Division II SAAC and Tennis Student-Athlete, Clark Atlanta
Shani Idlette is a graduate tennis player at Clark Atlanta, pursuing a Master of Public Administration degree in human resources management. Idlette serves on the NCAA Division II Student-Athlete Advisory Committee as a representative for the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. She also serves on the NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee.
Since the 2021 NIL policy update, Idlette has partnered with brands, including H&R Block and Shoe Carnival, on NIL opportunities. Originally from Fort Myers, Florida, Idlette graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology in 2022.
Keshawn Lynch, Football Student-Athlete, Norfolk State
Keshawn Lynch is a defensive lineman for Norfolk State, pursuing a degree in information technology.
Lynch first leveraged his name, image and likeness to partner with Hey Dude shoes. He went on to serve as an ambassador for 14 brands, including CVS, Hot Topic, C4 Energy and Gillette. After college, Lynch plans to pursue a career in the NFL and help student-athletes build their personal brands.
Lynda Tealer, Executive Associate Athletics Director, Florida
Lynda Tealer holds over 25 years of experience as an intercollegiate athletics administrator and currently serves as executive associate athletics director for administration at Florida. At Florida, she serves as the sport supervisor for men's basketball, volleyball and softball.
Tealer holds leadership roles in a variety of committees within the NCAA and Southeastern Conference. She is the current chair of the NCAA Division I Council NIL Working Group and the chair of the NCAA Division I Council. Tealer also serves on the NCAA NIL Legislative Solutions Working Group and SEC/ESPN Content Board.
Tealer is a University Athletic Association board member and the UAA deputy Title IX coordinator. Her responsibilities at the UAA include leading human resources, information technology, legal affairs, student-athlete health and welfare, and budgeting. Additionally, she oversees the UAA's women's sports programs and the men's basketball team. She also directs employee recruitment, contract negotiations and various support and retention efforts for all head coaches and administrators on staff. Before her time at Florida, Tealer was the associate commissioner of the Southland Conference from 2000-03. Tealer received a Bachelor of Arts in business administration at San Diego in 1992, where she excelled as a four-year member of the women's basketball team. She went on to earn her Juris Doctor from Texas in 1995.
