On Wednesday, the Utah Utes football team received a team-wide NIL deal in which all players under scholarship will receive a new 2024 Dodge Ram on lease thanks to Utah's Crimson Collective.
The Utah football team currently consists of 85 players under scholarship, so that's 85 trucks.
All about the players.
85 trucks. 85 guys. We are so proud to support this NIL opportunity for the @Utah_Football team. #utahcrimsoncollective #ourtownourteam @officiallyyjay1 pic.twitter.com/UEnaos4VyE
— Utah Crimson Collective (@UtahCrimson) October 4, 2023
The players were ecstatic when they learned about the deal.
When the players found out they were each getting a Dodge Ram pic.twitter.com/Sofq0knKov
— Josh Furlong (@JFurKSL) October 4, 2023
According to Ross Dellenger of Yahoo! Sports, the lease is for six months and will be voided should a player transfer or their eligibility expires.
In one of the most lucrative team deals in the 27-month history of NIL, Utah?s Crimson Collective is leasing each scholarship football player a new Dodge Ram truck- a $6M value.
Leases are 6 months & are voided if player transfers or eligibility expireshttps://t.co/svoFP0rYqy pic.twitter.com/x8kufg212r
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) October 4, 2023
The deal is valued at around $6 million, considered one of the most lucrative NIL deals since its inception.
Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham sees that as an opportunity to bring attention to the program and help with recruiting.
"This is gonna give us a leg up on recruiting, and that's what it's all about," the head coach said.
Kyle Whittingham on the Utes players getting truck leases already drawing national attention: ?This is gonna give us a leg up on recruiting and that?s what it?s all about.?
— Patrick Kinahan (@PKKinahan) October 4, 2023
This season, the Utes are 4-1 on the season and 1-1 in the Pac-12. Their lone loss this season came against Oregon State on the road. They lost 21-7, but their success this season has been without starter Cameron Rising under center.
As mentioned, this NIL deal is costly and more than Bronny James, LeBron James' son, receives. According to On3, he's at $5.9 million and has 13.5 million followers on social media.
The Utes have always been an excellent Pac-12 team, winning the past two championships. Now, they have another recruiting angle up their sleeve to continue adding talent even after Rising departs.
