MIAMI (AP) — A Florida business owned by a longtime Miami Hurricanes football fan has committed to a large financial deal for players to profit from use of their name, image and likeness.
American Top Team is a chain of mixed martial arts gyms that is offering a $500 monthly contract to Miami’s 90 scholarship players for advertising the gyms on social media.
Owner Dan Lambert has also started a marketing company designed to connect local businesses with Miami players to allow them to take advantage of the NCAA’s recent move to allow college athletes to cash in on their fame.
Meanwhile, the Florida Panthers are the first NHL team, and they believe the first U.S. major pro sports team, to establish an opportunity for college athletes to align with them as part of recent rule changes.
Florida has begun the process of gauging interest from athletes who attend college nearest to where the Panthers play, primarily meaning Miami and Florida Atlantic.
