Purdue center Zach Edey and North Carolina State center DJ Burns faced off in an NCAA tournament semifinal game, showcasing their big, athletic, physical presence. However, one significant difference between the two players is that Burns has been able to take advantage of name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities to earn money through marketing deals. Edey, on the other hand, is not able to capitalize on these opportunities due to U.S. government regulations that restrict international students like him from benefiting from direct marketing deals.
Despite not being able to earn NIL income like Burns, Edey showcased his skills on the court by leading Purdue to a 63-50 victory over North Carolina State with 20 points, 12 rebounds, and strong defensive plays. Coach Matt Painter acknowledged Edey’s importance to the team, stating that the Boilermakers run everything through him except for a revenue stream. Edey, a Canadian citizen attending Purdue on an F-1 visa, can only earn limited income through passive engagements like jersey sales, while potential earnings that American athletes could make are off the table for him.
In contrast, Burns has been able to generate significant income through marketing deals since the NCAA’s policy change in 2021. With endorsements from companies like adidas, Barstool Sports, CVS Pharmacy, and others, Burns has earned “well into six figures” in just three weeks leading up to the NCAA tournament. His engaging personality and recent success on the court have made him a sought-after figure for marketing opportunities, allowing him to capitalize on his NIL rights to the fullest extent.
Edey has made some efforts to earn income through NIL opportunities, partnering with Daps to release trading cards that are available for bid. However, these opportunities are limited for an international student like Edey, who cannot actively promote products in the U.S. market like American athletes can. The disparity in NIL earnings between Edey and Burns highlights the challenges faced by international athletes in taking advantage of new opportunities for monetizing their image and likeness in college sports.
Edey expressed his desire for changes in the U.S. law governing NIL to allow international students like him to benefit from marketing deals like their American counterparts. He acknowledged the financial opportunities he has missed out on this year due to his visa status but remains focused on his basketball career. While he understands the legal process for reforms will take time, Edey emphasized the need for change to level the playing field for all college athletes and provide equal opportunities to generate income through their name, image, and likeness.
