On July 1, 2021, a batch of state laws went into place regarding college athletes, allowing them to profit off their image and likeness.
This new legislation made way for many athletes to profit off of their image in creative ways, the new Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) legislation thus paving the way for student athletes in the Division I, Division II and Division III levels to receive monetary gain by playing the sports they are great at.
The NIL legislation has made it possible for multiple Winona State University student athletes to be sponsored by well-known companies as well.
Taco Johns launched a program called “Most Valuable John”, the company reaching out to student athletes around the country who have ‘John’ in their name.
Taco Johns chose two student athletes from two different sports at Winona State to sponsor for their new “the Most Valuable John” program.
These newly-sponsored student athletes are Gabrielle Johnson and John Breske.
Breske is a third-year baseball player at Winona State while Johnson is a fourth-year student who competes on the gymnastics team, specifically competing on the bars and beams.
Johnson said she was reached out to by Taco Johns via Instagram Direct Messaging.
“It felt like a dream almost,” Johnson said. “I thought I was being pranked at first.”
Johnson went on to say the best part of working with Taco Johns so far has been the fact it is such a unique experience.
“I think it’s really cool that I, a Division III athlete, am sponsored by a big company like Taco Johns,” Johnson said.
Johnson said she hopes to continue working with Taco Johns when her current contract ends, but is not sure about any future work post-contract at this point.
However, Johnson declined to respond when asked what benefits she is receiving from the company.
NIL has benefited college athletes across the nation and on a local level, as Winona State has experienced.
“I believe it is great that I get to profit off of the sport I love,” Johnson said. “Never in a million years did I think I would be able to.”
Johnson is hopeful for the future of her career and is ready to get active and back on the bars this year for a successful senior season.
The Winona State Gymnastics team will kick off their season at Hamline University on Jan. 14, 2022.