The company also has endorsement deals with Eli Manning among others.
Jaxson Dart is one of college football’s most notable returning quarterbacks entering the 2024 season. On Tuesday morning, one of the most intriguing college football NIL deals to date was announced with the Ole Miss gunslinger.
Dart has signed a deal with Nicholas Air, a private air travel company, as noted by sports business reporter Darren Rovell. The deal will grant Dart private jet use for “travel, training and philanthropy,” per Rovell.
Nicholas Air is no stranger to deals with Ole Miss football greats. Both Archie and Eli Manning have endorsed the company, along with the likes of golfer Daniel Berger, journalist Tom Brokaw and actress Nicole Kidman.
According to his representation at ESM, Dart’s endorsement is the first NIL deal with a private jet company. It serves as further proof that the NIL world continues to ramp up, especially as it comes on the heels of a federal court decision that granted an injunction preventing the NCAA from enforcing NIL rules.
Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin is among those who have urged caution around the impact of NIL and transfers on his program and the sport as a whole. Even so, he didn’t hesitate to use Dart’s new arrangement for recruiting purposes.
#ComeToTheSip https://t.co/zBmE5cF5di
— Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) February 27, 2024
Dart had his best collegiate season in 2023, completing 65.1% of his throws for 3,364 yards with 23 touchdown passes and five interceptions, leading the Rebels to an 11–2 record and Peach Bowl win over Penn State.
He and Ole Miss will open their 2024 season at home against Furman on Aug. 31.
