NIL era enters new frontier at Ohio State with first ever all-women’s event

COLUMBUS, Ohio ( WCMH ) — The name, image and likeness (NIL) era has grown tremendously in its short history, allowing college athletes to make money through various NIL opportunities and collectives. But at Ohio State, there’s never been a NIL event exclusively for female athletes.

That changes on Sunday at the Covelli Center.

It’s been a breakout year for women’s sports across the country. And the Buckeyes women’s basketball team is no exception after attracting more eyeballs than ever before en route to a Big Ten regular season championship. And OSU has been riding the momentum of that success.

“The NIL space is continuing to evolve and it’s been great for our players,” basketball head coach Kevin McGuff said. “We’ve had some kids have some great deals and this community is an awesome one for our players to be part of because they really support women’s athletics.”

NIL opportunities have only been around in college sports since July 2021. But for the first time at Ohio State, an event will focus exclusively on benefitting two women’s programs: basketball and volleyball.

“I just think with the success that we’ve had and the success that the volleyball team has had, it was just a great time to do an event like this,” McGuff said. “And I think people are going to really support it.”

On Sunday, Aug. 25 at the Covelli Center from 2-5 p.m., the two squads will host Buckeye Bag Bing-OH. For $100, ticket holders will get to play 15 rounds of bingo, with prizes including luxury handbags from designers including Louis Vitton, Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent.

“It just was a no brainer. I think again with the space that we’re in and who we’re competing against nationally, it was a match made in heaven,” volleyball head coach Jen Flynn Oldenburg said. “We’re marquee sports here at Ohio State and we want to spread the news and if we get things started, I think other female sports will benefit from it.”

In a landscape where football is often top of mind for NIL opportunities, coaches like Oldenburg are making sure her athletes get their fair share.

“We want the best athletes here and I think we’re at a time with NIL that in order to get those top top athletes, we need the support.” Oldenburg said. “And whether you like NIL or not, it’s here and I think it’s here to stay.”

The Buckeyes are betting that a game of bingo can help lead to bigger prizes, like national championships, down the road.

“I think the next step is how much more support can we get for programs that want to remain elite nationally,” Oldenburg said. “And I think us and women’s basketball are in that space where we’re competing not only for Big Ten championships but our eyes are on the national championship and we need that support inside the community.”

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