H&R Block Launches ‘A Fair Shot’ NIL Campaign With Female Student Athletes

H&R Block has teamed up with Fabletics, T-Mobile, and Jambys to bring greater awareness of the disparity in NIL sponsorships of female student-athletes in comparison to their male counterparts.

Building on the success of the program’s inaugural year, which supported 19 female college athletes, with the 2023 program H&R Block has expanded to celebrate 50! athletes from 13 different sports, including track & field, lacrosse, rowing, tennis, field hockey, ice hockey, and more, some of which are under-represented in the NIL space. 

The initiative now also includes NCAA Division II and Division III schools, as well as Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
 
The brand is linking up with the following female athletes who are crushing it on and off their familiar court/field. 

• Zia Cooke is a guard on the women’s basketball team at the University of South Carolina and at A Fair Shotalumna.
• Anessa Campos, Forward/Midfielder on the women’s soccer team at California State University, Northridge.
• Aniya Hoggatt is a star on the women’s track and field team at Florida A&M University.
• Jordy Bahl is a pitcher on the women’s softball team at the University of Oklahoma.

Since the NCAA began allowing college athletes to profit from their name, image, and likeness (NIL) in 2021, female athletes continue to receive fewer sponsorship opportunities and lower compensation than their male peers, especially those outside of the Power 5 colleges or mainstream sports.  

While select female sports – basketball, volleyball, and softball – are among the top five sports for earnings, many women’s sports are still underrepresented and total compensation for female sports pales in comparison to men’s football.  

Capitalizing on these deals during their athletic prime sets athletes up for future financial success, part of which is gaining an understanding and knowledge of the nuances associated with filing and paying taxes on NIL deals.

This is why, in addition to sponsorships, H&R Block is helping these athletes navigate the unique tax implications of NIL, many for the first time, by providing tax preparation services and support on key tax decisions resulting from this new income.  

Building off last year’s successful inaugural program, which supported 18 female athletes, this year’s program will champion 50 athletes from 13 different sports, including basketball, softball, volleyball, track & field, gymnastics, lacrosse, rowing, tennis, field hockey, golf, soccer, swim, and ice hockey. 

In addition, to have the opportunity to receive tax prep and assistance, athletes will help spread awareness of the disparity in NIL female college athlete deals through a social media campaign, including a TikTok challenge launching in March.