Chicago White Sox sign 12 college athletes to 2024 CHISOX Athlete NIL program
The Chicago White Sox are back in the NIL game.
Thursday, the franchise announced it signed 12 college athletes to its CHISOX Athlete NIL program. The initiative launched in 2022 to “empower student-athletes, their voices and careers both on and off the field.”
The 2024 roster is headlined by Indiana State star basketball player Robbie Avila, Ohio State receiver Carnell Tate and Iowa women’s basketball guard Kylie Feuerbach. This year’s group also includes a trio of Notre Dame athletes – defensive lineman Rylie Mills, offensive tackle Pat Coogan and women’s soccer midfielder Berkley Mensik – as well as Illinois receiver Malik Elzy; Northwestern kicker Jack Olsen; Minnesota women’s hockey star Abbey Murphy; UIC midfielder Yulexi Diaz; and Michigan State women’s gymnastics Big Ten champion Skyla Schulte.
All 12 athletes will receive personalized career mentorship from leading sports executives, top-tier branding opportunities across White Sox platforms, financial incentives for social media presentation and a professional photoshoot at an iconic Chicagoland sports venue. They will also get to throw out a ceremonial first pitch at Guaranteed Rate Field and custom White Sox gear.
Sticking to its roots, each student-athlete the White Sox signed is a Chicago area native – whether it be the city proper or the suburbs. Feuerbach was one of the original signees when the CHISOX Athlete program launched in 2022, meaning this is her third time partnering with the White Sox. Schulte and Diaz were also part of the roster last year.
Robbie Avila, Kylie Feuerbach capitalize on postseason runs
Both Avila and Feuerbach are in the midst of deep postseason runs in the NIT and NCAA Tournament, respectively.
As Indiana State made a run to the Missouri Valley Conference tournament championship this year, Avila – a Chicago native – went viral on social media. His trademark goggles and ability to make plays from the paint took the college basketball world by storm, and KSR’s Matt Jones affectionately dubbed him “Cream Abdul-Jabbar.” The nickname stuck, and the White Sox even used it in the CHISOX Athlete announcement.
Avila also has an NIL deal with Indiana State’s NIL store as part of his portfolio, and he’s developed quite a social media following with 16,300 total followers. Although the Sycamores missed out on the NCAA Tournament as one of the first four teams out, they rattled off a run to the NIT championship. They take on Seton Hall on Thursday night at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
Avila was a first team All-MVC selection as part of a breakout season in which he’s averaging 17.5 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists for Indiana State.
As for Feuerbach, she’s a key piece off the bench for Iowa, appearing in 37 games to help the Hawkeyes to the Final Four. The Sycamore, Illinois, native is averaging 2.6 points and 1.4 rebounds in 14.2 minutes this year.
Off the court, Feuerbach ranks No. 53 in the On3 college women’s basketball NIL ranking with her 46,000 social media followers contributing to her high profile.
Jeremy Crabtree contributed.