Luther Burden III Scores 2 New NIL Deals

For each college football season since 2021, a select few athletes have ruled the season in terms of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) partnerships. Yet, there are always a few that sneak up on fans and claim several deals with interesting companies. Luther Burden III is one of these individuals.

In the past few weeks, the Mizzou wide receiver has inked new NIL deals with two popular companies. Let’s check out which brands the 20-year-old is working with.

Burden debuted his new partnership with Nautica in late August. 

This is the receiver’s first apparel deal. He is working alongside popular LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne to represent the brand. Dunne has previously worked with Nautica, but this is Burden’s first time partnering with the company.

The campaign is called “New Legends” and is based on campus life. The two stars are seen wearing college apparel essentials such as t-shirts, sweaters, polos, and jeans. 

Each athlete has created several advertisements showing off the brand’s clothing. The full terms of the contracts haven’t been revealed, but both athletes are repped by WME Sports.

From clothes to shoes

Not even two weeks later, Burden announced his partnership with Kane Footwear. Again, the receiver advertised the brand on his social media.

“I want to lead St. Louis by example. I want to leave it better than I found it [and] continue to inspire the people behind me,” Burden says.

“People say I’m a hero, so I’m just trying to be a hero for all the young people. I want them to follow me in the right direction.”  

Even though NIL hasn’t been around long, Kane Footwear has inked several deals already. 

Last October, the brand partnered with five NIL stars including former Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and former Alabama Edge Rusher Dallas Turner. 

Harrison and Turner advertised Kane’s updated College Collection. Burden hasn’t directly advertised this collection. However, just before they announced Burden’s deal, they shared news that 10 schools were added to the line of shoes. 

These include The University of Cincinnati, Stanford University, Brigham Young University, The University of Miami, Texas A&M University, Kansas State University, The University of Georgia, The University of Nevada Las Vegas, and The University of Tennessee. 

With these additions, the brand now sells shoes to match 24 universities.

Burden the businessman

Aside from these two deals, Burden has racked up quite the collection of partnerships throughout his time at Missouri. 

Burden is involved in several deals in the St. Louis area including Old Vienna, Imo’s Pizza, and Missouri-driven NIL collective Every True Tiger Foundation. His deal with Old Vienna even demonstrated his impressive marketing skills.

In addition, Burden has worked with Commerce Bank, Leaf, NXTRND, and Allen Brake Real Estate. 

With his two new deals, fans can see how Burden’s influence is growing from smaller, more localized brands to larger, more popular corporations. This is likely due to Burden’s impressive growth on the field. 

Keep an eye on Burden to see what exciting deals he lands next.

Victoria Jonach is an aspiring writer and media analyst fascinated by the 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.