As Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) contracts became synonymous with college football, more and more people criticized Dabo Swinney and the Clemson football program’s inability to adapt to the times. Swinney and the team heard this criticism and did something about it.
As the football team began spring training Monday, Clemson officially opened the Clemson Athletics Branding Institute (CAB) and gave the media tour of the 12,000-square-foot facility adjacent to the Poe Indoor Football Complex.
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The space houses a photo studio, podcast studio, conference room, and other areas that allow student-athletes to help build their NIL.
“It’s just a space for guys to be creative and achieve what they want to achieve,” Swinney said. “We called it the Clemson Athletics Branding Institute and I was like, ‘Okay, let’s call it the CAB.’ I just felt it fitted; What does a taxi do? It gets you to your destination, but you have to pay the toll and put in the work. It’s not a free ride.”
Here is Twitter’s reaction to the CAB reveal:
Slightly envious student-athletes now have their own studio space at Clemson. Most colleges don’t even have studios for their media departments.
NIL is such a fun thing https://t.co/HKAafaLHDw
— Mason Flick (@WakaFlockaFlick) March 7, 2023
All I have to say is this:
Clemson Athletics creatives should be paid better. Imagine being “on call” for impromptu photo shoots of athletes? Help edit their personal Reels and TikToks?
Dabo and she support the Brinks truck BETTER with the absolute speed. https://t.co/tHTjPIlao0
— Luke Johnson (@LukeJohnson2014) March 6, 2023
Clemson – once again, skating where the puck goes.
I am very happy for all my friends at Clemson who saw the vision and implemented it. https://t.co/Owzb8c6zXL
— Tyson Hutchins (@tysonhutchins_) March 6, 2023
Everyone has elite weight rooms, gamers’ lounges, and barber shops… but do they? Clemson is ahead of the game and I imagine many schools won’t wait long to build something similar. https://t.co/G1sW8eFunm
— Connor McJunkin (@con_mcjunkin) March 6, 2023
Each year I am amazed by our athletic department and the improvements they make.
This is a game changer. https://t.co/LbyOi6N6Qi
— Clemson Addict (22-9, 14-6 ACC) (@Clemson_Addict) March 6, 2023
It’s good to see Clemson being proactive in the branding space. Many concerns about NIL or lack of it are related to Clemson, but the school wants to make sure it is done as it sees fit. Good timing for the upcoming recruiting weekend. https://t.co/cI3QMvxGYes
— Dear Old Clemson (@DearOldClemson) March 6, 2023
Tour of the brand new CAB, also known as the Clemson Athletic Branding Institute. On display are rooms for players to do photoshoots, branding/sponsorship work, and a podcast room. All with tour guide Ross, of course. @ClemsonFBross pic.twitter.com/V11r07Jpfd
— Grayson Mann (@gray_mann21) March 6, 2023
Dabo nicknamed this Clemson Athletics Branding Institute the CAB because “It gets you where you want to go, but you have to pay the toll and put in the work. It’s not a free ride.”
— Kapellenfowler (@kapellenfowler) March 6, 2023
Just got a tour of the new Clemson Athletic Branding Institute, CAB for short, top notch of course, with an NFL room for ex players, a podcast room, two different studios for videos and photos. #Clemson
— SportsTalk media network (@sportstalksc) March 6, 2023