Penn State takes great step to help athletes navigate NIL

Penn State took a major step Wednesday to help the university’s student athletes navigate the beginning of NIL in collegiate athletics.

The university launched STATEment to help athletes coordinate the best possible deals to capitalize on their name and likeness, allowed for the first time beginning Thursday.

"“Our why has always been preparing our students for a lifetime of impact, and this new opportunity will allow them to explore entrepreneurship and develop skills which they will carry with them long beyond their time at Penn State,” Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Sandy Barbour, said in a statement. “For many years we have had a comprehensive educational program for our students when they arrive on campus and STATEment’s educational components are an extension of that program.“We want to inspire our students’ entrepreneurial spirit and help them understand the impact their brand has using enhanced education as key part of STATEment,” continued Barbour. “Penn State’s brand and 700,000 living alumni are huge advantages for our students as they explore these new opportunities to make an impact.”"

STATEment will help connect athletes with potential partnerships, growing on an existing list of initiatives Penn State previously had in place, including  Happy Valley LaunchBox and the Sokolov-Miller Family Financial and Life Skills Center.

As athletes are about to be bombarded with — if they haven’t already been — sports agencies, marketing firms, and individuals looking to maximize exposure for limited investment in the athletes, Penn State taking a step to help its athletes make the right decisions for them is a wise move for all involved.