ALL-MINNESOTA RECRUITING
Senior Jordan Ode’s massive talent in basketball attracted college coaches from across the country to her high school games at Maple Grove last year.
Only one head coach showed up to join a small crowd and watch her play saxophone for the school band.
“It was crazy,” Ode said about Michigan State’s Robyn Fralick. “That was when I knew they were really serious and wanted me that badly.”
That connection was the determining factor for Ode to announce her college commitment a year ago. Other pieces of her decision-making process included the Spartans’ playing style and her potential playing time. And one more: her endorsement potential with name, image and likeness (NIL) opportunities.
“NIL is definitely a part of it,” said the 5-11 guard, a top-40 national recruit. “It wasn’t as much of a factor for me, but I know for some people that can be life-changing for them, their family and everyone around them.”
Three years into the NIL era, with dollar figures climbing and more and more athletes cashing in, the state’s best prep athletes are factoring NIL more — some a little, some a lot — into their final decision on where to attend college.
While rare, student-athletes can sign NIL endorsement deals while still in high school. It’s on college campuses where NIL takes off. The right combination of playing potential and earning power can lead to hundreds of thousands of dollars — or more — and kick in even before games are played.