The HBCU “King of NIL,” Rayquan Smith, has announced his plans to launch a pipeline program for college athletes. The program will assist college athletes in securing NIL endorsement deals. The Norfolk State running back announced the “digital marketplace” called SponsorPro on Wednesday.
“This platform aims to upend the sports industry by empowering student-athletes and forging new brand partnerships,” according to the press release, HBCU Gameday reported. “With the NCAA’s new Name, Image, and Likeness regulations granting student-athletes unprecedented opportunities to maximize their personal brands, Sponsor Pro fills a crucial gap in the market by offering a vital link between athletes and brands.”
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SponsorPro is giving student-athletes free access to NIL insights and helps guide them on their NIL journey, according to The Sacramento Bee. The platform is now live and open to collegiate athletes, agents, brands, and businesses.
“This platform aims to upend the sports industry by empowering student-athletes and forging new brand partnerships,” the statement adds.
Smith gained the king title after signing over 80 NIL contacts at Norfolk State. He’s signed to Berry Athlete Representation deal and currently endorses 15 products. His teammate Justin Smith told HBCU Gameday that Rayquan is not a “me guy.” He is concerned about how he can impact and uplift his peers on and off the field.
“He brings the energy to the team. It’s never a sad day, never a gloomy day, with him,” Smith said. “The thing about him — he’s not a ‘me guy,’ so he’s not doing all this just for him. He’s doing this to help us, and not just us — the South Carolina States, the Delaware States, every HBCU. He wants to put them up there so we’re not looked at last, and the Alabamas Clemsons are always looked at first.”
