LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The managers for University of Kentucky men's basketball team appear to be the first in the country to land an NIL deal.
The group of eight managers struck a deal with Lexington-based pool company Geddes Pools Inc. to perform in a promotional advertisement for social media. The 2-minute ad is a comical rap-style music video showcasing the managers as "waterboys."
We, along with the entire BBN, celebrate the Kentucky Basketball Student Managers on their debut NIL opportunity! #WildcatWaterboys #bbn #gobigblue #kentuckybasketball #nil #marchmadness #lafamilia #ukmanagers #getageddes Video: @CreativeCaddie pic.twitter.com/UTvuBFruEN
— Geddes Pools (@GeddesPoolsInc) March 19, 2024
NIL stands for Name, Image and Likeness, which allows college athletes to make money off the playing field/court.
Geddes Pools Inc. owner DJ Geddes said he met the managers at a tournament in the Bahamas, and they hit it off. They had a lot in common, he said. Geddes was also a manager for the Wildcats from 2000-05.
"From one manager to another, I wanted to do something for them," he said.
Geddes Pools Inc. hired a production company group called Creative Caddie to write and produce the video.
"This part is great," Geddes said. "The brothers who own the company, Gavin and Clay Duerson, served as the Wildcat mascot back in the 90s, so it kind of came full circle."
The video was published Tuesday morning, and, within hours, Geddes said it had more than 800,000 views.
"I heard Coach Cal sat the team down to watch it with the managers and the school's president and they had a blast with it," Geddes said. "Iāve heard so much positive feedback about it already, so weāre happy about that. One of the funniest comments I saw said, āOh great, now weāre going to see managers in the transfer portal.'"
Geddes isnāt disclosing the finances of the deal, but said he believes itās the first of its kind in the country, and heās excited to lead the way.
Geddes Pools Inc. has been in operation since 1987. Itās a family business that specializes in inground pool installation, service and retail.
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