Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud Swaps His NIL Bentley for a Mercedes

In today’s edition of the Front Office Sports newsletter, we take a closer look at one of the perks of being a high-profile college athlete in the NIL era.

Game-Day Decision

Being the starting quarterback for a top college football program has its perks — and they’re getting sweeter every day.

As part of his NIL deal with local car dealership Sarchione Auto Gallery, Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud will be driving a Mercedes G Wagon valued at $200,000.

This comes just one day after a report that Stroud would drive a $150,000 Bentley Bentayga. He characterized the change as a “game-day decision.”

It may not be his last change in wheels: As part of the agreement, Stroud is permitted to swap out his vehicle every 45 days.

In his first season as the Buckeyes’ starter in 2021, the 20-year-old ranked first in the Big Ten in completion percentage (71.9), passing yards (4,435), and passing touchdowns (44) on his way to Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year honors.

He’s not the only high-profile QB in a nice set of wheels: Quinn Ewers — who transferred to Texas from Ohio State in December — is reportedly driving an Aston Martin this season.

Conversation Starters

• Legislators have announced that a bill for a new taxpayer-financed stadium in Virginia for the Washington Commanders will not be put on the floor for a vote before January 2023.
• Hear about the day's most important business of sports stories in five minutes or less by listening to our daily podcast The Leadoff.
• Fanatics-owned Topps has struck NIL deals with nearly 200 student athletes and more than 100 colleges and universities for rights to produce trading cards, digital cards, and NFTs.
• This year’s Wimbledon tournament will have record compensation for players, with prize money totaling $50.4 million — an 11% increase compared to 2021.
• Cleveland’s city council passed a non-binding resolution 16-1 that the Browns should remove FirstEnergy from the team’s home field after the company admitted its role in a bribery scandal.

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