Closing in on $1M: Stetson Bennett inks NIL deal with AARP
ATHENS, Ga. (BVM) – Stetson Bennett’s big weekend against the Oregon Ducks paid dividends both on and off the field for the Georgia Bulldogs quarterback who added to his growing NIL catalog.
After cashing in this past offseason with deals from Fanatics and Georgia Power, Bennett entered the 2022 season with a near $700,000 NIL evaluation according to On3. Following his Week 1 performance, his evaluation enjoyed a $238,000 increase to $937,000 following incoming NIL partnerships with AARP and Synovus Bank.
The Georgia quarterback signed on with ESM, a sports management firm, following the 2021 season to help organize and screen his name, image and likeness opportunities. Jeff Hoffman, Bennett’s NIL agent, shared with On3, that the quarterback is nearing $1 million worth of NIL deals.
The 24-year-old has taken advantage of the many opportunities thrown his way in the past year, with his viral moment serving customers at Raising Cane’s following the national championship headlining his early action. Bennett also secured a partnership with Hillpointe, which allowed the Bulldogs signal caller to appear in a recent commercial.
With attention turning his way heading into the 2022 season, Bennett has made sure to follow the advice of one of the sport’s greats as he balances his off field endeavors.
“I went to that Manning Passing Academy, and one of the things I took away from it was, when Peyton was talking to us… he said when I did the commercials, I made sure that my training and preparation increased because he said I wasn’t going to be put in the situation where somebody would question has he made it,” Bennett said of his thoughts on NIL at SEC Football Media Days. “I think we’ve done a good job as a team doing that and I’ve tried to make sure that’s never called into question.”
As Georgia looks to defend its national championship, Bennett was quick to find his rhythm early on against one of the top teams in the country. In the team’s matchup against the No. 11-ranked Ducks, Bennett completed 25 of 31 passes for 368 yards and two touchdowns. The standout performance has him and the Bulldogs primed for another bite at the apple as the season heads on.
