Despite Signing With adidas, UConn’s Aaliyah Edwards Can’t Discuss It in US

Last Updated on March 8, 2024

UConn women’s basketball player Aaliyah Edwards has signed a name, image, and likeness deal with adidas Canada. The forward is the first collegiate athlete to sign a NIL partnership with the sportswear brand’s Canadian roster. However, since Edwards attends a Nike-sponsored school, she will not wear adidas-branded products during her games.

It isn’t the first time adidas has brought on collegiate athletes who are a part of Nike-sponsored schools. The brand has partnered with LSU women’s basketball player Hailey Van Lith and former Washington Huskies football players Michael Penix Jr. and Rome Odunze.

Unlike other collegiate athletes on the adidas team, Edwards, who hails from Ontario, Canada, is on an F1 student visa. Due to legal restrictions, international students are limited in their ability to do NIL deals. adidas is mindful of these laws prohibiting international students from profiting off of their NIL and has structured the deal accordingly. Edwards is not allowed to promote the brand or the deal herself. While the specific details of the agreement have not been released, Edwards can benefit from it when she is back in Canada.

adidas released a collaboration post on Instagram to recognize the partnership. The push for equality in collegiate compensation is becoming a growing topic in the sports world. According to the Associated Press, Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal and Pete Ricketts, a Nebraska Senator, introduced legislation to assist international collegiate athletes to make the most of their NIL opportunities.

Edwards, who averages just under a double-double per game at 17.9 points and 9.5 rebounds, will be essential in the Huskies’ March Madness run. As March Madness unfolds, many eyes will be on the forward to lead her team to a championship, adding to the legacy of UConn women’s basketball.