College football team to put QR codes on helmets to raise money for players

STILLWATER, Okla. (KFOR) — Oklahoma State football helmets will have a new feature on the field this year. The Cowboys will be donning QR codes on the back of their helmets. When scanned, fans will be directed to a way to donate to an NIL fund.

NIL stands for “name, image and likeness” and is used as shorthand to refer to student-athletes’ ability to make money off their success. The ability to do so is relatively new and stems from a 2021 Supreme Court decision.

The Cowboys’ QR codes – appearing as a 1.5-square-inch decal on the back of the helmet – will link off to a general team NIL fund. Donations won’t be going straight to players’ bank accounts. Instead, they’ll go into a nonprofit collective, called Pokes With a Purpose (PWAP), which aims to help players take advantage of NIL opportunities.

A pooled team fund can help lesser known players – who might not get brand deals on their own – make money in the new college athlete landscape, USA Today reports.

“PWAP offers OSU student athletes opportunities to engage in NIL activations, including working for various charitable organizations and charitable events, as well as leading sports camps and clinics, doing social media marketing and promotions, autograph signings, clinics, making special appearances, and more,” the organization says.

OSU football players will wear NIL fund QR codes during the 2024 season, Image OSU Athletics

“This is a revolutionary step forward to help keep Oklahoma State football ahead of the game,” coach Mike Gundy said in a press release. “It gives a chance for everyday fans across the world to have a real impact when it comes to supporting the NIL efforts for Cowboy football.”

The helmet QR codes won’t be big enough to scan from the stadium stands, but they can be scanned by viewers at home who see them in close-up shots. They’ll also be displayed in a few other places visible to fans – like coasters in the stadium’s VIP area and signage throughout the venue. You can expect to see them posted regularly on the team’s social media channels, as well.

The OSU Cowboys will open the 2024 season against defending FCS national champion South Dakota State at Boone Pickens Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 31 at 1 p.m.