Former Michigan high school stars named brand ambassadors for Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic
The era of name, image and likeness (NIL) is alive and well and now a handful of former Michigan high school football stars are cashing in.
On Thursday, the Detroit Sports Commission (DSC) announced “Brand Ambassador” NIL agreements with five NCAA student-athletes for the 17th Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic.
The five ambassadors are Ohio State defensive back Cameron Martinez (Muskegon), Central Michigan running back Lew Nichols (Cass Tech), Toledo quarterback DeQuann Finn (Detroit King), Michigan State wide receiver Antonio Gates Jr. (Dearborn Fordson) and Kentucky linebacker DeAndre Square (Cass Tech).
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"The Detroit Sports Commission is proud to announce the student-athlete brand ambassadors for the 17th Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic,” said Marty Dobek, deputy director-Detroit Sports Commission. “Antonio Gates Jr., Dequan Finn, Cameron Martinez, Lew Nichols and DeAndre Square are proud alums of the Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic who have gone on to achieve success in college football and represent both their former high school and current institution in a positive way.
"This group of NCAA student-athletes will help create awareness and excitement for the Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic, the high school football showcase that annually opens the MHSAA season at Wayne State University in Detroit.”
As part of the agreement, the athletes "will help create awareness and excitement for the XPKC through activity on their social media platforms, the DSC social media channels and other prep football-related social media."
The 2022 Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic begins Thursday, Aug. 25 at 4 p.m. with Birmingham Brother Rice vs. Macomb Dakota and West Bloomfield vs. Sterling Heights Stevenson to follow a 7 p.m.
On Friday, Aug. 26, Wyandote Roosevelt will take on Allen Park before defending state champion Belleville faces Novi at 7 p.m.
Dexter, and its two top-10 players in the class of 2023 will face Grosse Point South at 1 p.m. on Saturday Aug. 27 before River Rouge takes on Cedar Springs in the final game of the weekend at 4 p.m..
The three-day, six-game stretch annually kicks off the high school football season and will be held Aug. 25-27, 2022 at Wayne State's Tom Adams Field in Detroit.
Contact Tony Garcia at apgarcia@freepress.com. Follow him on twitter at @realtonygarcia.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 5 former Michigan HS football stars sign NIL 'brand ambassador' deal
