UConn's Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd Sign NIL Deals

This week two University of Connecticut women’s basketball players have inked new NIL(name likeness image) deals. Freshman guard Azzi Fudd signed her second NIL deal with Biosteel, while sophomore Paige Bueckers signed a major deal with StockX. 

Bueckers’ deal is one of the bigger deals thus far. StockX is a renowned online store mainly used for reselling shoes and streetwear. Bueckers will serve as a brand ambassador for the company. Information on compensation has not yet been released, however it does appear to be a multi-year deal. The coolest part of the deal is she’ll have a hand in designing items on their DropX limited-edition launches. Both parties seem to be excited about the partnership.

”It’s about a product I love and about shining a light on all the creatives that drive the culture,” she told ESPN. StockX is making a concerted effort to invest in women and to push women exclusive sneakers, and Bueckers will be the face. Bueckers is more than deserving as she had an all-time great Freshman year at UCONN, and as she continues to ascend on the court, we should expect more and more brands to swing her way off the court. 

Azzi Fudd signed her second NIL deal, and has yet to play a single collegiate game. This time with Biosteel. Fudd joins a star-studded roster as Biosteel also has Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliot, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey, Dallas Mavericks point guard Luka Dončić, and Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. She’s only the second collegiate athlete on the Biosteel roster next to University of Miami QB D’Eriq King. Biosteel and athletes go hand in hand as it's a company that makes nutrition products for athletes and fitness enthusiasts. “Maintaining a healthy lifestyle has always been very important to me as a student-athlete, hydration is a critical part of that, on and off the court. As I move into the next phase of my career, it is really important that I continue to be smart about what I put into my body on a daily basis,” said Fudd. Fudd will use social media to promote Biosteels latest products. Most impressively, Fudd will also get equity like the other athletes on the roster. 

NIL deals are continuing to help set up athletes for their futures. Both Bueckers and Fudd are great on the court and are now making names for themselves off the court. Both ladies will take the floor in their season opener Sunday as their UConn Huskies take on the Arkansas Razorbacks at 1:00 PM EST.