Zach Edey stands as a towering figure in men’s college basketball, his imposing presence a key factor in Purdue’s quest for a National Championship on Monday.
Despite his prowess on the court, Edey finds himself unable to capitalize on his name, image, and likeness (NIL) like many of his peers.
Named AP Player of the Year for two consecutive seasons, Edey’s dominance on the basketball court is unquestionable. However, due to U.S. government regulations, the vast potential earnings from NIL deals remain out of reach for the Canadian center, who is studying in the United States on an F-1 visa.
Under F-1 visa regulations, international student-athletes like Edey are prohibited from engaging in off-campus employment or traditional NIL activities, such as social media endorsements or commercial appearances. While passive engagements like jersey sales offer limited opportunities for profit, the bulk of potential earnings remains untapped for these athletes.
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Expressing his frustration with the restrictive NIL laws, Edey lamented the missed opportunities for significant earnings. However, there are some loopholes in the regulations that allow him to accept NIL money for work done outside the United States. Therefore, Edey can pursue NIL deals during visits to Canada or when traveling internationally with Purdue.
Despite these challenges, Edey remains a force to be reckoned with on the basketball court, his talent shining brightly even as he navigates the limitations of the current NIL landscape.
Hopefully moving forward Edey finds a way to make up for all that lost NIL money.
