Oklahoma State is pioneering something new this season.
OSU will be the first college football program in the nation to put QR codes on their players’ helmets in order to promote the team’s NIL fund, a university release announced on Tuesday.
The QR code won’t be visible to those inside the stadium but will be able to be seen by viewers at home in the form of a 1.5 square inch decal on the back of each helmet that links back to the general team fund that benefits every student-athlete on the roster.
They are expected to be visible in postgame photos on social media, and the school will also put QR codes on coasters in a premium section of the stadium.
“This is a revolutionary step forward to help keep Oklahoma State football ahead of the game,” head coach Mike Gundy said in a statement. “It gives a chance for everyday fans across the world to have a real impact when it comes to supporting the NIL efforts for Cowboy football. I’m thrilled about this opportunity for our players.”
The timing of the announcement comes at a bit of an awkward time after Gundy had seemingly voiced his frustration over NIL’s role in college sports the past few years.
In comments to reporters last week, Gundy was happy that the season was finally here and that the focus over the next five months will be on playing football.
“There’s no negotiating now. The portal’s over. All the negotiation’s history. Now we’re playing football,” he said, according to ESPN.
“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.”
Oklahoma State opens its 2024 season with a game against defending FCS national champion South Dakota State in Oklahoma.
Gundy’s squad is ranked No. 17 in the AP Top-25 poll and is coming off a 10-4 season in 2023, which included a Texas Bowl title and a trip to the Big 12 championship game.