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On to Victory Auburn Executive Director Brett Whiteside spoke to the Selma Quarterback Club on Monday night and discussed both his and Auburn’s role in the Name, Likeness, and Image (NIL) process, in which athletes can be paid for their performances.

“The mission of Auburn in the NIL is to support our student-athletes,” Whiteside said. “A lot of student-athletes are walking around campus and seeing people wearing  number 34 jersey and they’re not benefitting from it.”

Whiteside, who worked on the Auburn football staff from 2013 to 2020, explained the deals.

“Agreements can last a month, they can last a year,” Whiteside said.  “The athletes must do something for that money. They can make personal appearances. They can attend a meet and greet. They can sign memorabilia for fans.”

Whiteside said that Auburn has 14 deals for 13 different sports.

“Some people may not like the NIL, but it’s here to stay,” Whiteside said.

Whiteside predicted that the NIL would change in a few years.

“We’re at a time where the NIL will look different in three to five years,” Whiteside said.

Whiteside said that former Auburn quarterback Jason Campbell talks to the student-athletes, explaining the difference between the NIL and the NFL. Campbell, who played 10 years in the NFL, is part of the Tigers’ football broadcasting team.
Whiteside said that a player can’t sign an NIL deal to go into the NFL, and the NIL process is not involved with recruiting