College Football Team To Have QR Codes On Helmets This Season

I have zero issues with college athletes getting paid. None whatsoever. The concept of NIL (Name Image and Likeness) was long overdue before it was introduced a few years ago. Now the execution and rules/lack thereof? I could get into a discussion about my thoughts on that. In order to remain competitive in the NIL world, schools are having to get creative. And while I've seen and heard a lot of ways schools are going about this, today I heard about a new one. A QR code on helmets that directs you to the school's NIL fundraising website. QR Codes On Helmets Asks For NIL Donations https://twitter.com/CowboyFB/status/1825919233596993940?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1825919233596993940%7Ctwgr%5E6497adcff32feb2541221d52164de3abd12059df%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbssports.com%2Fcollege-football%2Fnews%2Foklahoma-state-players-will-wear-qr-codes-on-helmets-directing-fans-to-the-teams-nil-fund%2F And that's just what Oklahoma State University will be doing this upcoming season. An image of the QR code on the helmets was shared by the Oklahoma State University Football program on X this afternoon. The code is on the back of the helmet and honestly looks pretty inconspicuous not interfering with the logo or branding of the helmets. You certainly won't be close enough in person to scan the code, but I'd expect plenty of screen time for the QR codes on helmets allowing interested parties plenty of opportunity to donate to the school's NIL fund. The current landscape of NIL relies heavily on donations from sponsors, boosters, and casual fans. Coaches are now fundraisers, and NIL collectives are searching for new ways daily to solicit money. Because without it, it is next to impossible to be competitive in college athletics these days. So love it or hate it, NIL is here to stay. Oklahoma State may be the first team to put QR codes on helmets, but I can guarantee they won't be the last. In fact, I'd be shocked if there aren't dozens of teams with them before the end of the season. Would you donate to NIL for your favorite team? Even if giving money outright isn't your cup of tea, it's great that you can support these athletes by buying jerseys or other merch with their name's on them, taking your kids to autograph sessions, or supporting products that give them sponsorship opportunities. NIL can be messy, and probably need some more regulations/limits in my honest opinion. But at it's most basic I think it was long overdue. And as for right now, don't hate the player hate the game. Oklahoma State is playing the game, and as someone who has no allegiance for or against the Cowboys, I think it's a great strategy. In fact, I hope my team chooses to follow suit. It can't hurt. Read more about Oklahoma State using QR codes on helmets via CBS Sports here.