It's college basketball's version of "The Bachelor," a match made in NIL heaven

Hello readers,

Thanks for spending part of your Saturday with NIL Wire! I hope you enjoy today’s piece, which illustrates how effective NIL can be for a company and an athlete. Remember: Not all NIL deals involve gobs of cash for transfer quarterbacks.

Now, go tailgate, cheer inside a stadium, or sit on the couch all afternoon and evening watching a glorious Saturday of college football!

— Kyle

It's college basketball's version of "The Bachelor," a match made in NIL heaven

In the early days of NIL, players’ deals were quite literally built off of their name, image and likeness.

Nebraska wide receiver Decoldest Crawford signed a deal with an HVAC company. Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry repped Kool-Aid. Oklahoma quarterback General Booty had an underwear contract. They were the definition of NIL and its intended meaning.

Over the years, though, NIL has evolved into pay-for-play, characterized by the erosion of fair market value and a lack of connection to products or services. 

But not always. Let me pull back the curtain on an old-fashioned deal that’s cute, fun and just might end with a love story. Let’s call it college basketball’s version of “The Bachelor.” 

Karson Templin is a big man on campus at Utah State — he’s a 6-foot-8 forward for the Aggies’ men’s basketball team, and his long blond locks make him a recognizable figure in Logan, Utah, especially for female admirers.

SE Needham has been a jewelry store since 1896. The company’s tagline is, “Where Utah gets engaged.” The state — which is 42 percent Mormon — has the youngest median age of first marriage (26) in the country, nearly four years younger than the national average. 

So what is a perfect target demographic for SE Needham? Utah State and its nearly 30,000 students! 

The store helped former Utah State guard Mason Falslev with an engagement ring last year. It sponsors the kiss cam at football and basketball games, as well as Mr. and Ms. USU, a pageant-style competition.

“We just understand the strength of our market is in Utah State,” said Elizabeth Needham, a fifth-generation Needham jeweler. 

In an Aggie Sports Properties video, Templin said his goal for the 2025-26 season was to be like Falslev and find a girlfriend. That’s all Needham needed to hear to spark her creative marketing brain: a Bachelor-style meet-and-greet between Templin and 10 lucky women. 

“They pitched it to me, and I was like, yeah, that’s a pretty good idea,” he said. 

Thus, Shoot Your Shot With Karson Templin was born, a wholesome, amusing, NIL-as-it-was-meant-to-be deal. 

s.e.needhamjewelers

3,149 followers

View more on Instagram

The 10 women and Templin met at SE Needham’s Logan location on Thursday night, partaking in hors d’oeuvres, a basketball arcade game and other activities. It was meant to be low-key and fun. The one-on-one time lasted 10 minutes with each woman, and everything was captured for content on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook and for potential TV commercials and ads at Utah State athletic venues. (Needham said the goal is to have social media content out in the next week or two.) 

“I think it’s a great opportunity, a different way they can use NIL to market people and gain attention for their company,” said Templin, whose NIL deals typically involve appearances and autographs, not viral speed dating. 

“I think it’s been pretty good for their engagement as well as mine,” he added. “I guess that’s what [NIL] is meant for. NIL was designed for stuff like this, being able to do unique things.”

The night included dinner, although Needham said some of the women were so nervous that they opted not to eat. The face-to-face time featured conversations, games, and, of course, a charcuterie board.

Out of more than 75 applicants, the final 10 were chosen based on their compatibility, determined via answers on their applications. If you’ve always wondered what Templin is looking for in a potential girlfriend, today is your lucky day. I have the answers! 

“I’m not too picky,” he said. “But I do have some things morals-wise and just some personal things I look for. I just want someone who’s kind and matches my standards, and has the same beliefs as me. I think those are the most important things. And someone who’s very family-oriented. Just stuff like that.” 

Templin’s family, friends and teammates got a chuckle out of the whole ordeal, especially when they found out how many women were interested. 

One woman on campus struck up a conversation with Templin, asking, “Are you the bachelor?!” 

“Something like that,” Templin told her.

That type of attention wouldn’t come with an NIL deal for a chicken sandwich or an oil change business. 

“In this marketing world, these types of things are really what set people apart because there's storytelling involved and people have a personal connection,” Needham said. “People engage with our brand and, hopefully, remember us when they’re buying an engagement ring.” 

Prior to Thursday’s dates, each of the 10 finalists picked out her dream engagement ring. And three of them might get to wear it; Templin left SE Needham on Thursday eyeing future dates. The store will sponsor dates with the three women, though the social media videos will cease. 

No matter the outcome, Templin is a winner. In addition to the sponsored dates, SE Needham will provide him with an engagement ring whenever he finds Miss Right.