The Oklahoma State football team took a step to promote their team ahead of the game by having QR codes linked to a “general team fund” page on the back of players helmets. They planned to do this for the start of the football season to help raise the players’ earning ability.
The QR codes were made on the players’ bag tags, around the stadium, and the team equipment truck in hopes that people will help donate money to the team. During the game when the players’ will be close up to the camera, hopeful fans will be able to scan the code to help promote the team.
Making this the first time college players will have a QR code on their helmets for a regular season game, the team could not wait to see how the QR codes on helmets would help out their students.
Mike Gundy, the Oklahoma State head coach, expressed that he was delighted to be able to present a new opportunity for his players.
He stated, “The business side of what we do now—we have to have those conversations with [the players]. Tell your agent to quit calling us and asking for more money. It’s non-negotiable now. It’ll start again in December. So now we’re able to direct ourselves just in football, and that part is fun.”
Gundy wanted to be able to just focus on football and not have to worry about how much money needs to be gathered for the team. He was happy that his team was ahead of the game with the QR codes on the players’ football helmets and was excited to see how much the QR codes support his team.
Unfortunately, on August 31st, the NCAA banned the use of QR codes on the Oklahoma State football team, right before their first appearance in Saturday night’s game against South Dakota State. The NCAA discussed their decision with CNN stating, “follows previous interpretations not allowing social media handles, hashtags etc. to be permitted on the uniform.”
However, the QR codes will still be able to be posted on the players’ bags and additionally on the video board in Boone Pickens Stadium. This allows fans to still donate money to the Oklahoma State football team.
Chad Weiburg, Oklahoma State athletic director stated, “Our people came up with an innovative concept to raise the NIL value of our student-athletes, but ultimately it just serves as the latest example of how college sports are evolving at a faster pace than the rule book.”
The Oklahoma State football team had the great idea to help raise more money for the student-athletes, but their plan did not follow the college football rules. No advertising was allowed on the uniforms, so the QR codes had to be taken off the helmets, so the team was not able to help out their student-athletes.