Emily Lance: WKAR Sports

Wortman is a good student, a great athlete, and a 14-year-old who is working hard at everything she does to create opportunities for her future. Except, there is no guarantee that the sports scholarships she wants will come her way.

The term NIL is tossed around a lot in discussions about college sports, but less time is spent exploring what goes into the newer NCAA-level policy.

The golden lab is the first dog in college athletics to get an NIL deal, meaning, his handlers can better pay for travel and upkeep expenses.

The “Women of Sparta” program started in April, seeking to help MSU female athletes develop business skills as well as earn NIL money.