On July 1, the National Collegiate Athletic Association passed a temporary policy that allows college athletes to use their name, image and likeness to turn a profit.

With practices, training, game days and school, it’s oftentimes difficult for college athletes to find a job that works with their schedule.

This policy gives athletes the flexibility and freedom to make money in a less time consuming way.

One UCA football player has already begun making partnerships with different brands around the world.

Robert Springer, junior defensive back and double major in Biology and Family Consumer Science, currently has nine different brands that he is an affiliate or ambassador for.

Springer is an ambassador for seven different clothing brands, many of which are located in Los Angeles and one from China.

He is also an ambassador for Curl Days, a black owned business that makes hair care products.

Putting his name out there isn’t the only reason Springer partners with these companies.

Springer said, “Not even looking at myself, but just affecting other brands is important. Knowing I have these brands that count on me, that think I can help represent their brand and help endorse their brand means a lot.”

Connections down the road are something he thinks will be the most beneficial to his career in the future.

Springer shared an instagram post a few days after the policy was announced, representing his nine brands but also saying that he is open to more.

“I’m open to more, just getting more connections because connections are big, you can’t buy connections,” Springer said.

Although universities are not allowed to help athletes acquire sponsorships or brand deals, UCA has provided information to all athletes about the rules regarding the new policy.

UCA’s athletic director Brad Teague said, “We are happy that our student-athletes now have the opportunity to monetize their name, image and likeness. We have equipped them all with information to assist those efforts.”

Teague also shared that Conway’s Convention and Visitors Bureau reached out to UCA and will be choosing 30 student-athletes to promote and advertise the City of Conway.

“What I am most pleased about this agreement is that the CVB will also provide education and training for these individuals on financial life skills. I believe it’s a win/win for our student-athletes and this city,” Teague said.

For athletes looking to take advantage of this policy, Springer claims that social media is the best place to start.

Many of the brands that he’s an ambassador for reached out to him through Instagram.

Putting your foot out there and contacting a brand first is another good way to get recognized or sponsored.

Springer said, “Go out, reach out, say ‘I’ve bought a lot of things from your brand’ or ‘I really love what your brand’s doing, me being an athlete I play on ESPN, I can really bring attention to your brand from the city that I’m in.’”

He also encourages athletes to keep their social media clean, look professional and post things that make people want to work with you.