WATCH: Oscar Tshiebwe debuts NIL campaign with Kentucky racehorse
Remember all that NIL work that Oscar Tshiebwe did in the Bahamas? Today, we got our first glimpse at one of the finished products. Oscar, the reigning unanimous player of the year, just debuted his campaign with Life Is Good, a racehorse owned by WinStar Farm. The commercial was shot during Kentucky’s trip to the Bahamas, during which Oscar was free from the limitations set forth by his student visa in America. The ad is a spoof of the old “Bo Knows” Nike commercials featuring Bo Jackson.
“I feel blessed to partner with WinStar Farm to help promote their talented race horse, Life Is Good,” Oscar wrote on social media. “Thanks for the opportunity, and I can’t wait to cheer him on in the Breeders’ Cup. #Godisgreat #Lifeisgood #OscarKnows”
Oscar is the second Kentucky student-athlete to partner with a horse on a NIL deal. Earlier this year, Will Levis endorsed Claiborne Farm’s War of Will, a syndicated Thoroughbred stallion. Based on his caption, it sounds like Oscar will be in the stands to cheer Life Is Good on at the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland in early November. Maybe he can spend some of the $500,000 he reportedly made in the Bahamas doing NIL work, which puts his estimated earnings near $3 million.
Oscar named the most marketable men’s college basketball player
How popular is Oscar? Even though he still faces limitations due to his student visa, he’s primed to make more money than any men’s college basketball player this season. After speaking with various sources in the NIL landscape, ESPN’s Myron Medcalf released a list of the Top 25 most marketable players in men’s and women’s college basketball today. Oscar is No. 3 behind women’s hoop stars Aliyah Boston (South Carolina) and Hanna and Haley Cavinder (Miami).
“Yes, the reigning men’s college basketball Wooden Award winner is back for another season to chase a championship with the Wildcats,” Medcalf writes. “A factor could be the nearly $3 million he has reportedly made so far in NIL deals. That’s more money than the projected second-round pick would’ve made as a rookie in the NBA.”
Other notable names on the list: Shaqir O’Neal, Shaq’s son, at No. 6; Drew Timme at No. 10; Emoni Bates at No. 12; and Armando Bacot at No. 14. Former Saint Peter’s star Doug Edert, who now plays for Bryant, is No. 21.
Life really is good for Oscar these days.
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