St. John’s Launches Name, Image, and Likeness in Sport Minor

QUEENS, N.Y. – St. John's Athletics in conjunction with the Peter J. Tobin College of Business and the Lesley H. and William L. Collins College of Professional Studies unveiled a new academic minor entitled Name, Image, and Likeness in Sport. Formerly named Sports Leadership & Branding, the minor was initially launched in January 2021 with the St. John's UNLIMITED program to offer students a core curriculum in NIL, finance, marketing, social media and law.

The Name, Image, and Likeness minor is available to Red Storm student-athletes and the University's greater undergraduate population. It was revamped in part to help advance the St. John's UNLIMITED program, which is geared toward providing Red Storm student-athletes educational, networking and leadership opportunities to enhance their personal brand and maximize legislation surrounding Name, Image, and Likeness.

"St. John's steadfast dedication to crafting an unparalleled blend of academic and athletic excellence stands as a testament to our enduring commitment to student success," said Director of Athletics Mike Cragg. "Amidst the ever-evolving landscape of collegiate athletics, our UNLIMITED program has not only adapted but has also thrived, earning national acclaim since its inception in 2021.

"As we embark on this next chapter, enriched by new partnerships and the wisdom gained from years of experience, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the academic leaders whose visionary contributions have transformed this dream into reality," Cragg continued. "Together, we ensure that our students reap the rewards and synergy for years to come."

A 15-credit minor, Name, Image, and Likeness in Sport offers students courses in personal finance, sports marketing and media, social media in sport, social media content creation, legal aspects of sport management, as well as sports law.

"St. John's University is committed to educating and preparing our graduates for cutting-edge careers," said David Hedlund, Ph.D., Chairperson of the Division of Sport Management at St. John's Collins College of Professional Studies. "Now, there are Name, Image, and Likeness-focused jobs that did not exist a few years ago. From the beginning of the NIL era, St. John's University has been committed to providing educational opportunities found in few other places. Our innovative curriculum in New York City provides our students experiences for a multitude of future careers."

"The business world is constantly evolving so it's essential that our programs evolve, too," said Maciek Nowak, Ph.D., Dean of Tobin College of Business at St. John's University and the Joseph H. and Maria C. Schwartz Distinguished Chair. "This new minor is geared toward students who are interested in working in the burgeoning NIL field, as well as those who want to brand themselves in the growing social media landscape. As a business school in the BIG EAST, it's important that Tobin supports our student-athletes and St. John's UNLIMITED program so they can both capitalize on and navigate NIL, finance, marketing, social media and law."

As part of the athletic department's overarching commitment to deliver a well-rounded experience, St. John's UNLIMITED helps guarantee that student-athletes have the resources to realize their potential on and off the field of play in one of the greatest cities in the world.

"We made a great program that will help student-athletes better understand their value and benefit from the NCAA's new NIL policies; however, NIL is not just for athletes but all students who could benefit from an NIL program, such as online influencers and working professionals with certifications," said Jason Berkowitz, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Economics and Finance at St. John's Tobin College of Business. "Much like the ever-growing and changing NIL scene, our program is intended to expand as well so students can expect that new classes will continue being added to the curriculum."

In addition to academic coursework, the St. John's UNLIMITED program features a department-wide partnership with both Influencer and Opendorse intended to empower Red Storm student-athletes with innovative technologies, education and support services to navigate the developing NIL landscape.

Influencer and Opendorse offer a school-specific NIL marketplace to help student-athletes, businesses and fans streamline Name, Image, and Likeness opportunities. Upon finalization of an NIL deal within the platforms, student-athletes complete a compliance disclosure that is registered with the St. John's Department of Athletics. At the end of the calendar year, all NIL transactions will be consolidated into one 1099 for easier tax reporting for both student-athletes and registered businesses.

St. John's UNLIMITED is a multi-faceted program that focuses on offering student-athletes the opportunity to amplify their brands by developing valuable skills and knowledge in key areas, such as financial literacy, brand management and entrepreneurship. The program also offers Red Storm student-athletes opportunities to network with an alumni base of more than 190,000 in Greater New York, the world's undisputed capital of finance, entertainment and commerce.

As part of St. John's UNLIMITED, the Department of Athletics also supports NIL Collectives that work with numerous Red Storm student-athletes. Throughout the year, Storm Marketing and Flat Top Collective are actively involved in supporting Name, Image, and Likeness opportunities for St. John's student-athletes, which range from hosting events, offering fan experiences, as well as engaging in charitable work. Membership plans at various levels are available through Storm Marketing and Flat Top Collective. To learn more, visit StormMarketing.com and FlatTopFund.com.

For more information on St. John's UNLIMITED, click here.

St. John's University Athletics

St. John’s Launches Name, Image, and Likeness in Sport Minor

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