Florida State star Cristina Roque uses NIL deal to create signature goalie gloves

Now that we’re heading toward Year 3 of NIL, firsts are becoming rarer. But we do still get to see one-of-a-kind opportunities thanks to NIL deals with student-athletes. Take the latest agreement between Florida State All-American goalie Cristina Roque and Advantage Goalkeeping.

Roque announced a deal Monday with Advantage Goalkeeping that allowed her to design her own signature goalie glove. Player-focused goalie gloves are not new in the sport. But Roque’s partnership is original because it is the first created through a student-athlete using their NIL. Plus, the glove is unique because it is designed for female goalkeepers, which is rare in soccer.

Advantage Goalkeeping told On3 that Roque’s signature glove features size dimensions favoring the hands of female goalkeepers. The gloves eliminate the bulkiness of typical gloves designed for male goalkeepers. It also includes German Contact latex grip that is universally considered to be professional quality, a grip that extends from the palm of the hand down over the wrist to aid in catching and securing the ball. Roque’s glove also includes Breathaprene backhand material that makes the glove extremely lightweight, breathable and flexible.

What’s even more impressive about the glove – and the NIL deal facilitated by MarketPryce – is that it took about a year to come to fruition.

“The design was pretty difficult to get,” Roque told On3. “I went simpler – all black. You can still see dirt in it, which is something I was a big fan of. The fitting of the glove is different than any one that I’ve had in the past. Generally, they’re a bit bigger, like oven mitts-type of situation. But I feel like these fit snugger on women’s hands. We have a bit skinnier hands.

“Just trying to figure out that type of style to it, it took a couple of tries. But they were very patient with me, which was awesome and it’s why this thing took a year to finish. I’m happy with where we’re at now.”

The gloves are dubbed AGK Pro Roque and are on sale on Advantage Goalkeeping’s website for $68.88.

Advantage Goalkeeping loves partnership with Roque

Roque was a College Soccer News second-team All-American in 2022, along with earning all-region and top 30 recognition by TopDawerSoccer. Roque was named the ACC Goalkeeper of the Year and a first-team all-league pick in 2022. She had a career-high 60 saves while allowing just 15 goals for a 0.87 goals against average in 2022.

When the Seminoles won the national championship in 2021, Roque was named to the College Cup All-Tournament Team. She was the College Cup’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player. Roque is also a member of the Puerto Rican National Team.

She’s one of the faces of college soccer and is considered to be a lock to play professionally at a high level. All of those things helped Advantage Goalkeeping become interested in partnering with her on an NIL deal. But Advantage Goalkeeping founder Mike Poledna told On3 they became more thrilled about the partnership after they got to know Roque.

“She has crafted a uniquely tailored product to help her, and other female goalkeepers, succeed, and we are honored to support her vision,” Poledna said. “One of the best parts of working alongside Cristina is the shining example she sets as both an athlete and human being: always reliable, hardworking and professional, yet also so kind-hearted and generous. It’s been such an inspiring experience every step along our journey together.”

Roque says NIL is ‘uplifting’ for college soccer players

When it became clear in July 2021 that NIL was coming to college sports, questions immediately emerged on how it would impact locker room chemistry. High-profile figures worried out loud that a landscape that features high-profile recruits, transfers or even players buried on the depth chart making more money through NIL deals than established stars could destroy a locker room.

Yet, a survey of more than 1,000 student-athletes found that only 8% of respondents have witnessed NIL causing rifts/tensions or say it’s a “locker room problem.” Roque agrees with the survey and finds that NIL is being viewed as a “very positive” thing in the women’s college soccer community.

“When I first got here, NIL wasn’t a thing,” said Roque, who went to high school in the Orlando suburbs. “Looking at what people are doing now and seeing how it’s growing, it’s awesome. Everyone is very uplifting with each other and whatever they do with NIL. I think it’s exciting overall, to be able to take advantage of their NIL. I know Mia Justus, who was here at Florida State before transferring to Texas. She had a deal with Old Spice. I was super happy for her and, obviously, anyone that does anything with this. It’s an awesome opportunity that just wasn’t there a few years ago.

“It’s definitely not tearing locker rooms apart, especially in women’s soccer.”

Roque enters the 2023 season with lofty goals. Another national championship run is definitely on her radar. But until the season starts, she gets to enjoy the moment and the opportunity that was created through the NIL partnership with Advantage Goalkeeping. She’s also working on breaking in her new signature goalie gloves.

“It’s still weird hearing about all this coming out of somebody’s mouth,” Roque said. “I’m super excited about the people that have been surrounding me through all of this and even before this deal was announced. I couldn’t have done it without them. I’m just excited. I don’t know how else to explain it other than that word.”