Luke DunavantEditor’s Note: A previous version of contained inaccurate information regarding the valuation of the deal between Jaxson Dart and Nicholas Air. The story has since been updated.
Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart signed new one-of-a-kind name, image and likeness deal with private jet company Nicholas Air on Tuesday, Feb. 27.
According to Forbes, the Oxford-based airline will sponsor his travel for philanthropic work and training. He will continue to travel with the Ole Miss Football team for games.
“Facilitating the collaboration between Jaxson and Nicholas Air further demonstrates the elite nature of Jaxson as an individual and the power of his brand,” Dart’s agent Jeff Hoffman said.
Since arriving in Oxford, Dart has raised his draft stock and NIL valuation, culminating in this blockbuster deal.
“Partnering with Nicholas Air in and of itself is exciting, and being able to do it in tandem for (philanthropic) events like Stuff-the-Plane is extremely gratifying,” Dart said.
With so many big fish in the ocean of college football, including NFL draft prospects such as LSU’s Jayden Daniels, USC’s Caleb Williams and Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison, many wonder why exactly Nicholas Air chose Dart.
“To partner with a remarkable athlete like Jaxson Dart, who shares our values of excellence and community engagement, is truly inspiring,” CEO of Nicholas Air Nicholas Correnti said.
The deal will span Dart’s senior season.
Freshman engineering major Grant Word has mixed feelings about Dart’s NIL deal.
“I don’t really know how to feel about the NIL deal. Most players get paid, I know that, but a deal with an airline company is a bit strange to me,” Word said. “After learning about the details of the deal, I can definitely get behind it as a concept, though. The deal shouldn’t give any strife to the team, (although) it could still be bad in the end.”
