The Florida Panthers of the NHL have signed Miami Hurricanes’ quarterback D’Eriq King. The deal makes King the first college player to sign an endorsement deal with the Panthers. King is expected to appear at games, events and engage with fans on social media.
The deal also has King working with the Panthers to create a merchandise collection, co-branded art, and create his own concession menu item to be sold at all Panthers home games.
Panther’s chief strategy officer Sam Doerr said, “D’Eriq is a superstar both on and off the field and we are excited to reach and engage South Florida sports fans in new ways through this collaborative partnership.”
The Panthers were the first U.S. major pro sports team to develop a plan in which athletes could work with them and profit off their name, image, and likeness.
King has also been one of the most highly sought-after athletes. The deal with the Panthers is at least the sixth known deal King has signed this summer.
King spoke on the NIL at ACC media days, “The whole NIL thing, I think it’s really good for college football. My thing was (to) work with good companies. You can’t work with everybody. You want to work with companies that align with your core values. You don’t want to go out there and work with that company, that company, that company.”
The Panthers plan to sign athletes to similar deals very soon, stating their hopes to have a diversified group of female athletes and those from Olympic sports.
