UConn's Aaliyah Edwards signs NIL deal in Canada, but can't talk about it in the US

abcnews.go.com:

UConn forward Aaliyah Edwards signed a big name, image and likeness contract this week with Adidas Canada, but wasn’t allowed to speak with reporters about it for fear that promoting the deal might jeopardize her student visa

STORRS, Conn. — UConn forward Aaliyah Edwards signed a big name, image and likeness contract this week with adidas Canada, but wasn't allowed to speak with reporters in Connecticut about it on Tuesday, for fear that promoting the deal might jeopardize her student visa.

Under current United States law, Edwards, who is from Kingston, Ontario, and other international students can only make money in this country with passive NIL deals. She gets a little something, for example, if someone buys a jersey with her name on it at the campus bookstore.

But unlike her teammate Paige Bueckers, who is estimated to be worth more than half a million dollars in the NIL world, Edwards can't actively participate in endorsements in the United States.

Her financial security no doubt made it a bit easier for Bueckers to decide she will come back to UConn for another season rather than enter this year's WNBA draft.

Edwards and fellow international player Nika Muhl (Croatia) also have eligibility remaining, but neither of them have announced whether they plan to return or turn pro.

Edwards, who is averaging more than 19 points and 10 rebounds a game for the Huskies (24-5, 16-0 Big East), said Tuesday that her decision will be based on basketball and achieving the goals she has for herself and the team. But she acknowledged that money is also a factor.

“Maybe a little bit,” she said. “It's a little influence. But it's really about the team.”

Adidas did not release terms of Edwards NIL deal, but a spokeswoman told The