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Last Updated on June 22, 2022
On May 27, 2022, Oklahoma State University quarterback Spencer Sanders tweeted about Pokes with a Purpose, a new NIL collective focused on charitable efforts. This is the institution’s second non-affiliated NIL collective, the first being Unbridled.
The collective states on its website that it will help college athletes use their name, image and likeness to raise awareness for community charities. It emphasizes the media exposure will both benefit the athletes and also be channeled to the charities to help Oklahomans in need.
Pokes with a Purpose says the athletes, in turn, will receive character building experiences and partnership within community on top of compensation for NIL usage.
According to the press release, the people involved in leading this movement include former OSU wrestler, ESPN commentator and UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier, and former NFL players Kenyatta Wright and Brendan Weeden.
In the press release, Weeden said what set the collective apart was how they catered for both recruited and walk-on athletes alike.
“The fact that this NIL helps all varsity sports, men and women,” Weeden said, “whether it be a full scholarship, partial scholarship, or a walk-on athlete, sets us apart from any collective out there … and reinforces the culture of family at OSU.”
Wright welcomes the opportunities NIL is bringing about, which he dubbed unprecedented.
“There is simply no place like Oklahoma State University…there is a respect and family mentality that has nurtured and furthered so many athletes through the years to play at a higher level,” Wright said. “This combined with unprecedented NIL opportunities should make OSU very attractive to any collegiate player.”
Ed Raschen, an OSU alumnus and board president, said the collective was formed to go beyond the monetization opportunities of NIL and create experiences that athletes can take beyond school.
“While many programs intend to solely monetize a player’s NIL opportunities, Pokes with a Purpose will create intrinsic opportunities along with a hands-on experience in entrepreneurship and money management,” said OSU alumnus and board president Ed Raschen. “We want the athletes to be able to win in their sport but also win in life and an important part of winning in life is learning how to give.”
With this launch, Oklahoma States athletes will enjoying backing from Unbridled, an NIL collective focused on monetizing NIL opportunities, as well as new charitable opportunities with Pokes with a Purpose, which has already been approved as a 501(c)(3).
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