The restaurant chain Hooters signed name, image and likeness (NIL) deals with 51 college football offensive linemen in order to “celebrate” student athletes.
The chain signed with offensive line groups at several universities across the country, including the University of Miami, LSU, Auburn University, Georgia Tech, University of South Florida and Vanderbilt, according to a press release from the restaurant released Monday. Hooters partnered with groups, rather than individual athletes, in order to underscore the idea that “bigger is better.”
The athletes will visit Hooters restaurants and be regularly featured on the chain’s social media pages, where they will promote Hooters’ wings and urge fans to go to the restaurant for tailgates and viewing parties, the release read.
“For decades, the physical play, blue-collar mentality and on-field leadership of the offensive lineman has shined, but national praise and attention for these crucial players has all-too-often been sidelined,” Hooters Chief Marketing Officer Bruce Skala said. “We want to change the narrative and celebrate these elite student-athletes who play a pivotal role in making college football so thrilling and give them their fair share of the spotlight.”
Hooters restaurant chain signs 51 college offensive linemen nationwide to name, image and likenes…
Awesome. https://t.co/PzgRDK2EHH
— Henry Rodgers (@henryrodgersdc) August 22, 2022
The athletes who signed the deal include Laurence Seymore of the University of Miami, Wing Green of Georgia Tech, Chris Murray of the University of Oklahoma and Lanson Smith of LSU, according to the roster. (RELATED: John Daly And His Son Agree To An Endorsement Deal With Hooters)
Georgia Tech offensive lineman Pierce Quick appeared optimistic about his new deal with the chain, praising the restaurant for supporting the linemen’s “work, dedication and spirit.”
“It is an honor to have Hooters promote the big guys up front and advocate for the work, dedication and spirit of offensive linemen throughout college football,” Quick said, according to the release. “Like an offensive line, Hooters is all about comradery and having a good time, and I think I speak for all linemen by saying we are extremely excited to partner with a restaurant we already love and throw down some wings.”