Oklahoma Women’s Basketball Announces Landmark Teamwide NIL Deal with Fowler Auto

Oklahoma women’s basketball made a significant announcement on Thursday via X and Instagram, unveiling a groundbreaking teamed NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deal with local auto dealer Fowler Auto. The video announcement showcased star players such as Skylar Vann, Payton Verhulst, and Sahara Williams receiving brand-new cars from the dealership.

 

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The Oklahoma Sooners are no strangers to NIL deals. Verhulst has previously inked a deal with Powerade, Vann has partnered with Good Molecules, and the team collectively teamed up with Epsilon Marketing earlier this year. Additionally, team members have agreements with the Sooners-focused Crimson and Cream collective. However, the partnership with Fowler Auto stands out as it provides each team member with a new car, underscoring the substantial nature of this deal.

Women’s sports teams across the nation have been securing similar NIL deals, such as Utah gymnastics, who received cars through the Crimson Collective, and the Toledo women’s basketball team, which partnered with Jim White Toyota. These deals have opened valuable opportunities for female athletes to monetize their talents and gain recognition through their name, image, and likeness.

The social media reaction to the announcement was overwhelmingly positive. Fans, reporters, and community members praised the team-wide NIL deal, highlighting its significance and impact. One reporter quote-tweeted the post, exclaiming, “Oh this is FIRE.”

Oklahoma women’s basketball had an impressive 2023-24 season, winning the Big 12 regular-season title and advancing to the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament after defeating Florida Gulf Coast. The team is set to return most of its roster from the previous season and has been named one of On3’s “winners” of the transfer portal, notably landing 6-4 forward Raegan Beers from Oregon State, who averaged 17.5 points and 10.3 rebounds last season as a sophomore. The Sooners were ranked No. 12 in On3’s post-Spring Top 25, positioning them as the third-ranked team in the Big 12.

The NIL deal with Fowler Auto not only highlights the continued growth of women’s sports but also emphasizes the increasing desire to provide new opportunities and recognition for student-athletes within their communities. This landmark agreement sets a new precedent for teamwide NIL deals and reflects the evolving landscape of college athletics, where female athletes are gaining more platforms and resources to succeed both on and off the court.