7-foot, 360-pound Connor ‘Big Cozy’ Williams inks NIL deal with Leaf Trading Cards
NIL isn’t just for the Bronny James, Bryce Young and Caleb Williams of the college sports world. In Year 2 of NIL, more and more student-athletes from different sports and different levels of competition cashing in on their name, image and likeness.
Take the latest NIL deal between Leaf Trading Cards and Division III basketball player Connor “Big Cozy” Williams of St. John Fisher University for example.
Williams is the 360-pound, 7-footer that college basketball fans simply can’t get enough of. Videos of him shooting jump hooks around the rim, drilling floaters and stepping out behind the arc to drain 3-pointers have gone viral over the past two college basketball seasons.
And now he’s being rewarded for his notoriety with his most significant NIL deal to date. Leaf Trading Cards said the deal is believed to be the first ever Division III trading card produced in the NIL era.
“We are ecstatic to have partnered with Connor to bring his first trading card to life,” CJ Breen with Leaf told On3. “With this signing Leaf is paving the way for lower-level college athletes to change the culture. NIL allows us to think outside the box and give ‘the collects’ an option that wasn’t available prior to NIL.”
Williams initially went viral on Twitter on Dec. 11, 2021. He stole America’s heart when he limped down the court in a game against Buffalo, tripped, got up and then delivered a pinpoint assist on a backdoor cut for a dunk. The 20-second video has been viewed more than 8.4 million times.
Connor Williams making most of NIL opportunities
The NIL deal with Leaf isn’t the first for Connor Williams. Nonetheless, it’s probably the one that’ll generate the most headlines. Williams said it’s also a deal he hopes will motivate other student-athletes at lower-level programs to be more active with NIL.
“Every athlete dreams of being on a trading card,” Williams told On3. “I am very excited about the opportunity to partner with Leaf Trading Cards for my first trading card. Working with Leaf Trading Cards to create this card has been so much fun. I hope I can inspire other athletes with this trading card.”
The card is available on Leaf’s website and features Williams’ autograph. The card is selling for $19.99 and is print to order. Leaf’s website says the cards will have serial numbers for the final print run.
Along with the deal with Leaf, Williams has partnered with Barstool Sports on an apparel deal featuring his likeness sitting comfortably in front of a fireplace. The hoodies and T-shirts were released last week and are on sale for $50 to $30.
Connor Williams has also inked a NIL deal with DXL Big + Tall. Through that partnership, he’s been showcased in social posts featuring him in golf attire from adidas and Reebok and a Columbia Pebble Peak Down Jacket. Williams has also struck NIL deals with Crazy Dog T-Shirts and with A Sneaker Head. Additionally, he’s got a solid social media presence with more than 42,000 followers on Instagram.
Williams is originally from Victor, New York, and he’s appeared in nine games for the Cardinals this season. He averages 2.4 points, has grabbed 18 rebounds and is shooting 69% from the floor. In high school, Williams played basketball and football. He was named Monroe County Player of the Year in basketball as a senior.
Leaf Trading Cards active on NIL front
Over the past few months, Leaf Trading Cards has become one of the most active players in NIL.
Leaf recently grabbed headlines with a NIL partnership with Livvy Dunne, the LSU star gymnast, entrepreneur and social media personality. Dunne appears in what Leaf says is the “first gymnastics NIL trading card the world has ever seen.”
The company has also released a Pop Century Influencer Series card featuring Netflix’s “Last Chance U” star Jason Brown. Leaf also has agreements with budding stars of tomorrow, such as Tennessee five-star quarterback signee Nico Iamaleava and USC Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Caleb Williams.