The power of Nika’s brand | The Boneyard

The power of Nika’s brand

Nika is a natural. So much personality. Whatever the context - press interviews, teammate interaction, posing for pictures with fans after the game, boundless energy on the court - a marketer’s dream.

Hoping that there is a solution at some level to the NIL restrictions on foreign student-athletes. Sooner rather than later.
 
Huskee11 said:
Hoping that there is a solution at some level to the NIL restrictions on foreign student-athletes. Sooner rather than later.
Expand ...
It’s not an NCAA issue

NIL considerations for international student athletes

While NCAA college athletes were granted the opportunity to benefit from their name, image and likeness beginning July 2021 via an interim policy, international student athletes, which account for about 12% of Division I athletes, or about 3,000 nationwide, have yet to reap the benefits of the...
www.sportsbusinessjournal.com www.sportsbusinessjournal.com

www.uscis.gov

Students and Employment | USCIS

If you would like to study as a full-time student in the United States, you will generally need a student visa.
www.uscis.gov
 
.-.
Question, silly or not…Can foreign born players apply for U.S. citizenship and hop on the NIL bandwagon.
 
DEFCONN1 said:
Question, silly or not…Can foreign born players apply for U.S. citizenship and hop on the NIL bandwagon.
Expand ...
If they married an American would be the fastest way. Otherwise you're most likely looking at over a decade and closer to 20 years. I beleive USCIS is still working its way through people that entered the pipeline in the early 2000s.
 
.-.
DEFCONN1 said:
Question, silly or not…Can foreign born players apply for U.S. citizenship and hop on the NIL bandwagon.
Expand ...
A work visa would do the trick, but there are limits on them, and I don't think US agriculture, high-tech, etc., would appreciate it if those were taken by athletes so that they could get more NIL income.

I remember a story from a book about the 1962 mets. A car dealership was giving away two cars to Mets players -- one to the most popular player, the other to the player who hit a sign on the outfield fence the most times. The most popular player didn't have to pay income tax on his car, the one who hit the sign the most times did. The former's car was viewed as a gift, while the latter had to work for his, so it was treated as income.
 
The NIL Store can only sell products from schools or athletes who have signed on. Currently the site has 16 schools, with another 9 coming soon.
  • Connecticut
  • DePaul
  • Duke
  • Florida Gulf Coast
  • Florida State
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Iowa State
  • Louisiana State
  • Michigan
  • Northwestern
  • Penn State
  • Purdue
  • South Dakota State
  • Syracuse
  • Virginia Tech
 
So happy to see this support for Nika. I've said it in other threads, Nika's persona and personality on and off the court make her a fan favorite and a marketing dream. I have no doubt if there were not the NIL restrictions related to international athletes she would have countless additional opportunities. As Geno has said, Nika is unique! She never has been and never will be the star of the team but you can't find anyone more grateful to be a Husky and a better teammate than Nika Mühl and I along with countless others love what she brings to our team.
 
hoopsfan22 said:
If they married an American would be the fastest way. Otherwise you're most likely looking at over a decade and closer to 20 years. I beleive USCIS is still working its way through people that entered the pipeline in the early 2000s.
Expand ...
I don’t think it works like that any more. I’m pretty sure a spouse would still need to be naturalized.

Is there a lawyer in the house?
 
.-.
HuskyNan said:
I don’t think it works like that any more. I’m pretty sure a spouse would still need to be naturalized.

Is there a lawyer in the house?
Expand ...
You don't get your citizenship right away, but you get to the front of the line a bit faster. For example you only need 3 years of permanent residency before applying for citizenship versus the standard 5 years.
 
It's hard to believe that at this time last year, maybe half the Boneyard were questioning if Nika was good enough to play signifcant time on the court for us. This shows that with all the opinions from Boneyard experts during the summer, we had no clue what we had in her, and nobody expected the year that she had. The literal Diamond in the Rough.
 
Bald Huskie said:
It's hard to believe that at this time last year, maybe half the Boneyard were questioning if Nika was good enough to play signifcant time on the court for us. This shows that with all the opinions from Boneyard experts during the summer, we had no clue what we had in her, and nobody expected the year that she had. The literal Diamond in the Rough.
Expand ...
I don't know if she was a diamond in the rough since other schools wanted Nika too, but Geno swooped in as he does and made an offer she couldn't refuse.
 
.-.
Beemer said:
Nika's a very special person and we're going to miss her a lot when she graduates. I know I will, I haven't gotten so attached to a player in many years.
Expand ...
I think Geno will as well. Despite all his harping on her (deserved no doubt) it seems he has a special relationship with her.

There was a video posted sometime ago (I think from freshman year when Geno was chasing a hysterical Nika in the locker room squirting a water bottle on her). During the celebration this season after they won the big east title, Paige, Aubrey, Aaliyah and Nika were sitting on the floor throwing confetti and Geno came up behind Nika and squished a handful of confetti in her face. We haven’t seen videos of Geno interacting with other players like that or had Geno say about any other player as he did about Nika, in response to the question about his hug of her, that ‘I told her I still hate her’. IMO, along with their coach/player relationship there is another layer of obvious playful enjoyment of each other that will remain as a friendship well after Nika’s time at Uconn.
 
I'm not surprised at all at her popularity. She is just a great young woman. After the Vermont NCAA game, the team came out to sit and watch in seats during the second game in a special section that was marked off. They were about 5 rows off the floor in a corner in back of the basket. A little girl at the top of the section on the concourse had a Nika poster and called down to her. She turned around and saw it and walked up the entire flight of stairs by herself to sign the poster and take photos with her. That little kid was all smiles and tears she was so happy. My wife, sister-in-law and I were blown away by the gesture. Nika is very special. She has a big summer ahead of her and I can't wait to see her next season.
 
It's telling to see four of the top ten earners on the female side are Huskies, three of which are international students who only recently (February, I believe) were able to join in NIL earning. That Nika was third overall, female or male, following Angel Reese (women's championship MVP) and Zach Edey (this season's unanimous NCAA men's MVP) coupled with the fact she doesn't have a huge social media presence says volumes about what a special player and person she is!

It's, evidently, not any longer just the Uconn fan base that now appreciate Nika's passionate play. The exciting thing is that next year, with a fully loaded roster featuring generational running mates Paige and Azzi alongside her in the backcourt, AA, Aaliyah Edwards up front and exceptionally talented depth throughout, after a year of controlled restraint (as she needed to be on the floor a record setting number of minutes) - Nika should be freed up to fully exhibit the fiery player she can be for her team!
 
The thing that amazes me is that Grace Berger, who seldom says a word, is top ten. She does all her talking on the court, and I'm happy to see that people appreciate what she does on the court.
 
.-.
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
168,553
Messages
4,582,590
Members
10,492
Latest member
7774Forever


Top Bottom