By Chris Chavez
September 28, 2023
Stanford junior Cole Sprout has signed a name, image and likeness deal with On.
Here’s what you need to know:
– Sprout is the fourth Stanford track and field athlete to sign an NIL deal with the Swiss sportswear and footwear company. Juliette Whittaker, the U.S. high school 800m record holder who anchored the Cardinal to a DMR victory at the 2023 NCAA Indoor Championships as a freshman, was the first NIL athlete signed by On in July. Two weeks ago, the 2023 NCAA 5000m and 10,000m champion Ky Robinson’s signing was announced. Stanford freshman Amy Bunnage also signed an NIL deal with On.
– Because Stanford is a Nike-sponsored school. Sprout will not be able to wear On at practice or Stanford-organized events. He will wear On and represent the brand in any international races or appearances.
– Sprout is a five-time All-American and is coming off a summer in which he finished 8th in the 10,000m and 16th in the 5000m at the U.S. Outdoor Track and Field Championships before winning the NACAC U-23 5000m gold medal in San Jose, Costa Rica
– Sprout owns personal bests of 3:56.53 for the mile indoors; 3:42.27 for 1500m; 7:44.50 for 3000m indoors; 13:25.67 for 5000m indoors/13:26.61 for 5000m outdoors; 27:42.42 for 10,000m.
– Sprout is expected to be a key contributor to Stanford’s cross country team this fall. He opened up his season with a 24:05.1 for 62nd overall, the Cardinal’s No. 3 at the Virginia Invitational.
What he had to say:
Sprout: “There’s an attention to detail at every level at On that I think is unmatched."
NCAA Track and Field NIL Stars
Sprout is just the latest NCAA track and field star to sign an NIL deal with a major sportswear company. His former teammate Charles Hicks signed an NIL deal with Nike after winning the 2022 NCAA Cross Country Championships. NC State’s Katelyn Tuohy (Adidas), Florida’s Parker Valby (Nike), Notre Dame’s Olivia Markezich (On) and Stanford’s Roisin Willis (New Balance) are some of the other athletes earning money through their respective endorsement deals.
Lake Oswego High School star Mia Brahe-Pedersen signed an NIL deal with Nike before making the U.S. Outdoor Championships final in the 100m. New Balance also signed high school stars Sadie Engelhardt, Daniel Simmons, Ali Ince and Quincy Wilson to NIL deals.
Chris Chavez
Chris Chavez launched CITIUS MAG in 2016 as a passion project while working full-time for Sports Illustrated. He covered the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro and grew his humble blog into a multi-pronged media company. He completed all six World Marathon Majors and is an aspiring sub-five-minute miler.
