Wisconsin QB Graham Mertz becomes first college athlete to unveil trademark logo before NIL laws take effect
Someone had to be first to create a trademark before college athletes can officially make money off their likeness, and if you had Wisconsin QB Graham Mertz on your bingo card you won too.
As NIL laws in multiple states get set to take effect on July 1, someone was going to be the first to unveil a trademark logo or announce a major brand partnership as college athletes get set to officially cash in on their name, image and likeness.
On Monday, Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz became the first college athlete to unveil a trademark/logo.
Earlier this month, according to CBS Sports, Wisconsin announced a partnership with Opendorse to launch the “YouDub” program to help players cash in on their name, image and likeness through education, assessment and brand development. The starting quarterback for the football team is one of the highest profile and most marketable athletes on any campus, so Mertz having a trademark logo is a good start for the Badgers on that front.
July 1 is Thursday, so more announcements like Mertz’s are definitely coming. It will be interesting to see the who and what of those announcements, as the veil of amateurism in college sports gets pulled up.