Michigan has hired Terése Whitehead, a former executive with the NFL Players Association, to oversee the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) program at the university. Whitehead, who has an impressive sports background in marketing and brand development, will serve as Michigan’s on-campus executive general manager through a consulting agreement with Altius Sports Partners.
As the point person for NIL at Michigan, Whitehead will work closely with coaches, athletes, and various entities involved in the program. This appointment comes at a time of significant changes in college sports, with ongoing lawsuits against the NCAA that could potentially lead to revenue sharing between schools and players.
Altius Sports Partners, the consulting firm that hired Whitehead, offers a comprehensive “playbook for the future of college athletics.” This playbook covers various topics such as revenue sharing, collective bargaining, and athlete employment models.
Before joining Altius, Whitehead held positions overseeing marketing efforts for NBA and WNBA stars like Grant Hill, Ray Allen, Tim Duncan, and Tamika Catchings. She also has experience in team marketing with the Atlanta Hawks and Atlanta Thrashers.
One aspect of NIL that Whitehead will focus on is group licensing deals. These deals allow companies to partner with groups of athletes instead of negotiating individual NIL agreements. For example, players who have opted in can receive $600 for the use of their NIL rights in the upcoming EA College Football 25 video game.
Whitehead expressed her excitement about returning to the University of Michigan and her commitment to making a lasting impact on student-athletes. She aims to ensure that every Wolverine athlete feels supported, informed, and empowered to seize opportunities in the NIL era.
Michigan’s decision to bring in outside help reflects the significant shift in college athletics brought about by NIL legislation. By hiring an experienced executive like Whitehead, the university is positioning itself to navigate these changes effectively and provide valuable support to its student-athletes.
Overall, the appointment of Terése Whitehead as Michigan’s in-house Altius NIL executive GM highlights the university’s commitment to embracing the opportunities and challenges presented by NIL. With her extensive background in sports marketing and licensing, Whitehead is well-equipped to lead Michigan’s strategy and maximize revenue-generating opportunities for both teams and individual athletes.