Doug Edert reflects on his NIL deal after improbable NCAA Tournament run

“That was right after the Kentucky game,” Edert recalls how Buffalo Wild Wings contacted him. “When I made that floater, which tied the game up with 24 seconds to go in the overtime, Buffalo Wild Wings does this NIL deal with people that make game-tying shots that go into overtime (BWW has a history of promoting overtime-themed commercials since they want their patrons to stay at their restaurants). I didn’t know that until they DM’d me the next day on Instagram.”

Edert continued: “And I’m looking at it and it’s like Buffalo Wild Wings. They sent me a message that they want to do a deal, and I’m like this can’t be right. Like, why would Buffalo Wild Wings want to do a deal with me? So, I looked at it and I looked at the account and they had the blue check mark. It was verified, it was their actual account. I’m like, ‘Wow, this is pretty crazy.’ I had to do that deal because Buffalo Wild Wings is such a popular company.”

Edert said he could not disclose how much Buffalo Wild Wings compensated him for his deal. With that said, it was not just BWW that reached out to Edert for NIL deals. He discussed the other companies that contacted him as well.

“I don’t know if I’m going to get the order right, but I know Barstool Sports (contacted me),” Edert said. “We did merchandise with Barstool, like t-shirts and sweatshirts and stuff.”

Edert has a link to his NIL store at Barstool on his Twitter page.

Edert also took part in doing Cameo clips. He said he did a bunch in the aftermath of last season’s run with it being “crazy” in March, but it died down a little bit as of late. He also secured the services of Volo Sports.

Per its website, Volo Sports provides year-round access for adults 21+ to participate in a variety of sports, fitness, tournaments and social activities.

Considering his mustache got as much attention as his play on the court, it’s surprising no grooming companies inquired about any potential NIL deals. Edert joked that he knew full well how much his mustache garnered buzz on social media.

“The whole mustache thing, that was really funny,” Edert said. “I found it hilarious; all the memes and stuff. But, no grooming company ever reached out, but I’m still open to it. At least I’m open to lots of deals. Yeah, I was surprised about that one.”

While Edert enjoys the perks of living the life of a student-athlete making money off his name, image and likeness, he still can’t get over how eye-opening the experience of last season’s historic run was on him and his teammates.

“Oh my, it was unreal,” Edert admitted. “Seriously, for those few weeks, it was the best time of my life for what me and my team had done. It was pretty crazy, and at that time when you’re in it and you’re in the games, and after the game, you’re doing media sessions, you don’t even realize what’s going on.”

Edert continued: “Everyone keeps saying you’re making history and stuff, but when you’re doing it, you don’t really feel it. You’re just like ‘Oh, we’re just winning basketball games.’ We’re just trying to win and move on and get the job done. Sometimes it’s really hard to realize how crazy what you’re doing really is. But now, after a year goes by, you kind of look back at it, and you can really see that what we did was truly special.”

Edert said he still keeps in touch with his teammates at Saint Peter’s.

“For sure, we still keep in contact and always talk about our experiences, the funny stories, and all the moments we shared together,” Edert said. “We’ll remember that for the rest of our lives.”

However, the storybook ending for Edert is not quite done just yet, as he and his Bryant teammates want the chance to have a similar type of run this March.

Bryant, a team that made a run to the NCAA Tournament last season as the champs of the Northeast Conference, is trying to get back to the Big Dance under head coach Jared Grasso. The Bulldogs lost in the First Four round in last year’s tournament.

Bryant has since changed conferences and is now playing in the America East conference. The Bulldogs are in a three-way tie for third place, with Vermont having already clinched the regular-season title in its 70-66 win over Bryant on Saturday.

Edert has played in every game so far this season for the Bulldogs and is averaging a little over 20 minutes per game. He has both started and come off the bench this season. The Bulldogs have one more regular-season game left at Maine on Tuesday before the Northeast Conference Tournament begins on Saturday.

Edert is focused on winning what’s left on the schedule and somehow making it back for another taste of March Madness.

“Yeah, that’s the goal,” Edert said. “Our season is coming down to the end. So we’re still trying to get better as a team and trying to connect more.”

Edert said it’s all about getting hot at the right time, which is something Saint Peter’s did last year when winning the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament championship. He’s just hoping history repeats itself.

“Really, you just got to get hot at the right time as a team,” Edert said. “Obviously we’re running out of time. The conference tournament is about to start soon. So, all you got to do is win three games and you’re back in March Madness. And, as with our team last year, anything is possible.”