The
Chicago White Sox have been one of the leading professional teams regarding dipping their toes in the NIL market. It's not necessarily a farm system thing for the White Sox, because the players they've signed to NIL deals since their CHISOX Athlete NIL program kicked off in 2022 haven't been up-and-comers on the
baseball diamond. Rather, the program launched with the plan to “empower student-athletes, their voices and careers both on and off the field” and the White Sox have focused on promoting as well as helping Chicago area natives. Each student-athlete involved in this NIL program will receive personal career mentorship from leading sports executives, branding opportunities with the White Sox that could provide financial opportunity, and they'll each also be able to throw out a ceremonial first pitch in custom White Sox gear at Guaranteed Rate Field. The 2024 NIL roster features 12 athletes: Robbie Avila, Indiana State men's
basketball Carnell Tate, Ohio State
Football Kylie Feuerbach, Iowa women's basketball Rylie Mills, Notre Dame football Pat Coogan, Notre Dame football Berkley Mensik, Notre Dame women's soccer Malik Elzy, Illinois football Jack Olsen, Northwestern football Abbey Murphy, Minnesota women's hockey Yulexi Diaz, UIC women's soccer Skyla Schulte, Michigan State women's gymnastics Proud to rep the South Side! Excited to be part of the third CHISOX Athlete class, the official NIL program for the @whitesox pic.twitter.com/9xlH6Mzge1 The Atlanta Braves were the first MLB team to sign college athletes to NIL deals back in August 2021.