Marvin Harrison Jr. College Football’s Cosmetic Influencer

Marvin Harrison Jr. has inked yet another Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal. This time, the Ohio State star wide receiver isn’t the face of a fast food chain or a footwear company. Instead, he is promoting a popular beauty and cosmetics retailer.

In November, Bath & Body Works (BBW) announced they would be teaming up with several athletes to promote their Men’s Shop. The brand just finished its 15-stop tour that included product giveaways and testers, coupons, plus meet and greets and photo ops with celebrity athletes like Harrison.

How Harrison relates to BBW

In a video on BBW’s Instagram, the wide receiver also noted that he enjoys using the brand’s lotions, air fresheners, and candles.

Cosmetic brands’ role in the NIL space

Harrison isn’t the first college football player to have a deal with a cosmetics company. Another member of his draft class, USC quarterback Caleb Williams also partnered with the popular skincare brand, Neutrogena, in April of 2023. In addition to this, Travis Hunter, cornerback for the Colorado Buffaloes, teamed up with Michael Strahan this past summer to promote his skincare collection of the Michael Strahan Brand.

Harrison is the only college football player promoting BBW. However, he isn’t the only football player. The 21-year-old joins San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, and wide receiver for the Baltimore Ravens, Zay Flowers.

All three athletes will promote BBW’s men’s personal care products including skin, beard, and hair care.

“Bath & Body Works is bringing our Men’s Shop to guys who have no idea that we’re in the men’s grooming game. It’s time to show them all we have to offer because we know when they try it, they’ll love it,” said Chief Customer Officer at Bath & Body Works, Maurice Cooper. “More men than ever are embracing self-care and we’re uniquely positioned to equip them with a selection of high-quality, affordable fragrances and grooming products in a way no other brand can. We’re raising our game and elevating our brand to invite men everywhere to make the Men’s Shop their own,” Global Cosmetic Industry writes.

This is a brilliant move for the body care and home fragrance chain as experts predict that the global male grooming market to grow ~43% by 2028 (compared to 2022),” PR Newswire writes.

In addition, BBW’s men’s line has grown almost 50% within the last three years, according to Chain Store Age. Their current men’s lineup includes 200 different grooming products. 

A perfect fit

A product line like this requires big names to represent the brand. Thus, Harrison is the perfect person for the job.

In terms of NIL, what Harrison has been offered in compensation is similar to what a first-round NFL Draft pick might make.

“Harrison is projected to go as high as No. 2 in the NFL Draft so that financial figure could be close to $25 million,” Sports Illustrated writes.

Clearly, the cosmetics brand chose the right person to represent them in their product line launch.

Victoria Jonach is an aspiring writer and media analyst fascinated by what kinds of activities players participate in off the football field. Growing up in New Jersey, she is a New York Giants fan and attends Rutgers University, pursuing a career in Journalism and Media Studies. She writes for FirstRoundMock.com covering anticipated draft picks and their acts of volunteerism, entrepreneurship, and other interests that shape these individuals.