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Ohio State Women's Basketball Signs Historic Team-Wide NIL Deal

A season-long sponsorship with a law firm is first of its kind for any Ohio State Buckeyes' athletics program.

Michael Ehrlich

Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
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While the Ohio State Buckeyes football team has dominated NIL headlines this season on their way to the top spot in the initial College Football Playoff Selection Committee Rankings last week, the Buckeyes women's basketball team tipped of the 2023 season with a first for the school's athletic department.

The preseason-ranked No. 7 team in the country signed a season-long partnership with Ohio-based personal injury law firm, Elk + Elk.

A first of its kind NIL deal for any Buckeyes' athletics program - including football - this collaboration is highlighted by in-arena content, social media campaigns and a courtside interview segment, "Full Court Press," highlighting each team member.

"We're excited to be partnering with a firm like Elk + Elk," Kevin McGuff, Ohio State women's head coach said in a press release. "With their reputation, it's going to be a very impactful partnership for our program. This is a great opportunity for our team."

The relationship between Ohio State Athletics and Elk + Elk and is managed by multimedia rights holder Ohio State Sports Properties, the locally-based team of LEARFIELD.

"The OSU Women's Basketball team is a clear example of how every member working as a team produces incredible results," shared Managing Partner Jay Kelley. "This resonates perfectly with our internal philosophy regarding every member of our team playing a pivotal role in every legal matter. 'Every Client. Every Day.' mandates acknowledging every player."

Ohio State opened the season with a 83-74 loss against #21 USC on Monday in the Hall of Fame Series, hosted at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Buckeyes look to build on a historic 2022-23 season, where they made their first Elite Eight appearance in 30 years. They return 10 players from that roster, including reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Cotie McMahon.

Ohio State next faces IUPUI at home on Sunday.

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Michael Ehrlich
MICHAEL EHRLICH

Michael Ehrlich is a seasoned sports marketing executive with experience across the global sports brand, athlete representation, media and education sides of the business. The Founder and CEO of Playbook Marketing, Ehrlich consults with brands on all things NIL and athlete partnerships, advises student-athletes on their personal brand building endeavors and is an adjunct professor at his alma mater, the University of Southern California where he teaches a course on athlete communications and marketing. As a writer, his previous bylines include Boardroom, Business of College Sports, DIME Magazine and UPROXX, among others. You can follow him across social media at @MichaelEhrlich and reach out via michael@playbook-marketing.com

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