Entire Arkansas basketball roster signs NIL agreement

Arkansas coach Eric Musselman speaks to his team Wednesday, July 27, 2022, during practice in the Eddie Sutton Men's Basketball Practice Gym on the university campus in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE — All 15 members of the Arkansas men’s basketball team have signed a Name, Image and Likeness deal with the Children’s Safety Center of Washington County through a partnership with the Athlete Advocate Consortium.

“We are honored and excited to raise more awareness and education in our community regarding child abuse,” CSC executive director Elizabeth Shackelford said in a press release.

According to its website, the CSC was formed in 1997 as an advocacy center for children who experience abuse. Athletes raise funds through their social media and make guest appearances at their affiliated nonprofits. 

In addition to the team's agreement with CSC, Arkansas newcomers Jordan Walsh and Jalen Graham had individual partnerships announced Monday. The AAC paired Walsh, a freshman, with the Jones Center in Springdale, and Graham, an Arizona State transfer, with the Samaritan Community Center. 

The AAC program was formed last year by Bryan and Mandy Hunt, who selected All-American guard JD Notae as the lone representative during the inaugural campaign. Notae raised more than $50,000 for the Samaritan Shop — an offshoot of the Samaritan Community Center, according to the event’s emcee, Chris Wyrick, the former Razorback Foundation director who is a spokesman for the AAC. 

“I think it’s great for our players to be able to contribute back to the community,” Arkansas coach Eric Musselman said. “I think there’s a lot of life lessons that these guys can carry on, not only from AAC, but all of the way for the rest of their lives.”

Following the announcement, the Hunts spoke with the media about the AAC’s potential impact on the University of Arkansas.

“It’s not just the basketball team,” Bryan Hunt said. “It’s all the sports activities. It’s just an incredible time to be in Northwest Arkansas and an incredible time to be an Arkansas Razorback.”