Reese’s Signs 12 Football Players with the Last Name Reese to Sweet NIL Deals

NIL deals don’t get much sweeter than this. 

Reese’s University is signing a dozen college football players, each with the last name Reese, to what it calls “the tastiest and most exclusive NIL contract in history” and will be providing each player with an abundance of delicious products. The deals come after Reese’s recently launched its football-shaped peanut butter cup, with the hope of making it a staple of gameday tailgates. 

“If anyone knows what snack in college football is the best, it’s going to be this team of athletes and it’s going to be Reese’s Footballs,” Reese’s said in a press release. “Like I always say, the name on the front of the jersey is very important, but the name on the back can be great too.” 

At the Power Five level, Florida linebacker David Reese, Auburn safety John Reese Bellew, Duke defensive end Michael Reese, Mississippi safety Otis Reese and Baylor running back Richard Reese will represent the Reese’s brand. Other athlete ambassadors in the Team Reese lineup include Delaware State defensive back Andrew Reese, Tulsa defensive lineman Brody Reese, Troy defensive end Cameron Reese, UNLV running back Courtney Reese, Tennessee State defensive back James Reese IV, Eastern Michigan tight end Max Reese and Liberty safety Quinton Reese.

Along with outfitting the players with exclusive gear — including a blaze orange Team Reese blazer and a gold Reese’s chain —  Reese’s sweetened the deal by ensuring each a season’s supply of Reese’s peanut butter cups. Players will also receive a custom-built mini-fridge for storing their Reese’s collection and, possibly, sharing with teammates. As a part of the deal, the Team Reese players will promote the brand on their social media accounts and appear on the Reese’s University Instagram account. 

While this is Reese’s first foray into the college football NIL space, the brand has had a strong connection to college athletics for the past decade. The brand sponsors the Reese’s Senior Bowl for top football prospects and previously sponsored the Reese’s College All-Star Game for college basketball stars.