McNeese State Manager Becomes First to Land NIL Deal

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Amir Khan, a student manager for the McNeese State University basketball team, has become the first known student manager to secure an endorsement deal amid the NCAA‘s name, image, and likeness (NIL) era. This milestone comes on the heels of the Cowboys’ entry into the 2025 NCAA men’s basketball tournament as a No. 12 seed.

Khan’s rise to fame began during a home game in late February when he led the Cowboys down the tunnel with a boom box. As the opening bars of Lud Foe‘s “In & Out” played, Khan energized the locker room by rapping along, which caught the attention of players and fans alike. “Not only did I know the song but it is one of my favorite songs,” Khan told The Associated Press. “So yeah, I just rapped a few of the lyrics. Some of the players saw that I was rapping it and they just kind of hyped me up telling me, ‘Hey, just keep going, rap for us!’”

The moment was captured and posted by Phillip Mitchell Jr., the team’s social media director. The clip went viral, garnering nearly one million views within days. “Never felt this much hype before a game,” Mitchell remarked.

Having previously been a casual fan of McNeese basketball, Khan developed a keen interest in the team when head coach Will Wade, a figure he idolized from his days at LSU, joined the program. “Wade brought energy to that team that LSU basketball had never felt,” Khan said. This admiration prompted him to apply for the manager position when it became available.

Khan’s influence extends beyond the locker room. He has secured endorsements from brands like Buffalo Wild Wings, TickPick, and Insomnia Cookies, marking a significant shift in how student-athletes can monetize their roles within their athletic programs. As Wade noted, Khan has become an “indispensable” part of the team, volunteering extensively. “He’s a servant leader,” Wade said, highlighting Khan’s dedication, which includes early morning practice sessions.

As McNeese prepares to face Clemson in the NCAA tournament, the energy surrounding the team has intensified. “It’s been absolutely surreal,” Khan said of his unexpected spotlight. His family, too, has embraced the newfound attention. “My mom’s parents had never been on social media, but now they have every app,” he mentioned, reflecting on their excitement.

Junior guard DJ Richards Jr. emphasized the importance of managers like Khan. “The managers, they really don’t get credit for what they do. They follow us all year. They rebound for us,” he stated. Richards expressed hope that Khan’s recognition continues, stating, “I love that Amir is getting this. They all do a lot of good things for us. All we do is put the ball in the hoop.”

As Khan navigates this new chapter of his life, he plans to manage his NIL earnings wisely. “I’ve just got to pay for school,” he said, illustrating his commitment to both his education and his role with the Cowboys.