Emerging Caribbean star and student athlete Tianna Springer has confirmed that she has signed a name, image, and likeness (NIL) deal with German apparel giant Adidas.
While unable to disclose the details of the contract, the soft-spoken Springer, during a brief comment with Stabroek Sport when asked if she had indeed inked the prestigious deal, said, “Yes, I did; last Thursday I signed the deal.”
Probed if she is proud of her achievement, which makes her the first known student athlete from Guyana to acquire an NIL contract, Springer said, “Yes, because it’s a big international company and they noticed me, so it feels really nice.” NIL, which was implemented in 2021 by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), is simply a platform or avenue where student athletes can receive financial compensation through the utilisation of their name, image, and likeness via marketing and promotional endeavours.
Prior to the introduction of the NIL initiative, student athletes were classified as amateurs.
Springer, who is currently in preparation for the CARIFTA Games, won gold in the 2023 edition of the U-17 Girls 400m. She also won the top sport in the South American U-20 Championships as well as the Commonwealth Youth Games, which was a national first.
She set a new record at the South American U-20 Championships. Her gold at the Commonwealth Youth Games was the first in Guyana’s history.
