Amir Khan, Student Manager at McNeese State, Profits from Name, Image, and Likeness Agreements
In a whirlwind of excitement, McNeese State's men's basketball student manager, Amir Khan, transformed a viral Internet moment into a lucrative six-figure deal spree. At the tender age of 22, this Lake Charles native walked out of the team's tunnel, boombox in tow, rapping to Lud Foe's "In & Out" – an act that catapulted him into internet fame, earning him the nickname 'Aura'.
As the Cowboys triumphed in the Southland Conference tournament and upended No. 5 Clemson 69-67 in the NCAA Tournament's first round, Khan seized the moment. The video of his entrancing performance gathered momentum online, paving the way for numerous NIL deals.
According to Reed Vial, a special assistant to the Cowboys' coach Will Wade, the influx of marketing and media inquiries for Khan became uncontrollable. By Saturday afternoon, Vial had fielded a staggering 100 phone calls from media outlets and brands alone, a testament to Khan's newfound stardom.
To date, Khan has reportedly secured a staggering 10 to 12 NIL deals, including partnerships with Buffalo Wild Wings, TickPick, Insomnia Cookies, and Fortnite, among others. The collective worth of these deals is said to be "north of six figures."
Buffalo Wild Wings' Chief Marketing Officer, Tristan Meline, shared that the brand was instantly smitten with Khan's viral walkout moment and believed he embodied the fun and camaraderie the tournament offers. Similarly, Rock 'Em Socks, a graphic sock and apparel company, reached out to Khan via Instagram, eager to collaborate with the internet sensation.
A variety of brands have jumped on the bandwagon, with Khan's name, image, and likeness appearing on merchandise like socks and T-shirts. As a result, Khan earns payment based on product sales. Steve Rollins, Senior Vice President of Rock 'Em Socks, estimated that Khan receives approximately two times more on a percentage of sales than most professional athlete deals, reflecting the immense interest in Khan's unique story.
While not every deal comes with meticulous tracking or key performance indicators, the exposure generated for brands often proves invaluable. For instance, Rock 'Em Socks has experienced a 30% increase in website traffic and sign-ups as a direct result of their partnership with Khan.
As the excitement builds towards the second-round matchup against No. 4 Purdue, Khan continues to make history as the first student manager to sign NIL marketing deals. This groundbreaking achievement opens new avenues for student managers across the nation, with the potential for numerous others to follow suit in the future.
- Amir Khan, the student manager of McNeese State's men's basketball team, has secured over 10 major NIL deals, including partnerships with brands like Buffalo Wild Wings, TickPick, Insomnia Cookies, and Fortnite.
- McNeese's Amir Khan has become a popular figure, reaching deals valued "north of six figures," following his viral Internet moment at the March Madness tournament where he rapped to Lud Foe's "In & Out" before the team's game.
- Despite not all deals coming with detailed tracking, partnerships with brands like Rock 'Em Socks have proven beneficial for Khan, resulting in a significant increase in website traffic and sign-ups for the company.
