Baylor Athletics Bolsters NIL, Promotes David Kaye to GM
WACO, Texas — Baylor Athletics has continued to bolster its name, image and likeness space in the evolving world of collegiate athletics and has created a new NIL unit under the athletics umbrella, tabbing longtime administrator David Kaye to lead the new unit.
Kaye will head up a new arm of Baylor Athletics, which will feature multiple staff members geared at properly supporting the NIL efforts of Baylor’s student-athletes and the Baylor-focused collective, GXG. The newly formed area will work in collaboration with the NIL Advisory Council and GXG CEO Jon Passavant.
“We are excited to officially announce this formally,” Baylor Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Mack Rhoades said. “David has been a key player in Baylor’s approach to NIL since its inception and has been working behind the scenes to lead our efforts since this past fall. David is a dynamic presence for us in this space. His work with our coaches and student-athletes has been impactful and continues to further our goals in support of this new and ever-evolving arm of collegiate athletics. I am exceedingly confident David will be a force in supporting our programs and student-athletes.”
The new NIL unit will be housed under Baylor’s External Athletics arm, which also features Resource Development, Major Gifts, Ticket Office, Ticket Sales, Communications, Marketing & Fan Engagement, Spirit & Tradition, Creative Services, Licensing and Baylor Sports Properties.
“David has devoted much of his life to the Baylor Family, along with our staff, coaches and student-athletes, and he is well positioned to lead this emerging department,” Deputy AD and Chief Revenue Officer Jovan Overshown said. “Baylor has quietly established itself as an unexpected force in the NIL space, thanks to the generosity of so many. This next step builds upon that solid foundation and signifies our continued commitment to NIL.”
A native of Katy, Texas, Kaye has spent the last two years as the Associate Athletics Director for External Affairs Operations and added significant NIL responsibilities to his role during this stretch. He is in his 15th year with Baylor Athletics and just completed his second season as the sport program administrator for men’s basketball. He served as Baylor’s Assistant AD for Communications for six years prior to moving into the role of Chief of Staff for External Affairs, which also included a season where he was both the men’s basketball and football Communications contact. He has been promoted six times during his Baylor career, graduated from Baylor in May of 2008, and during his undergraduate education served a 15-month deployment to the Middle East as a member of the Army Reserve, before returning to Waco to complete his degree.
"I am humbled and excited to embark on this new chapter,” Kaye said. “Baylor's unwavering commitment to driving NIL innovation and growth within our organization is both inspiring and commendable. I have had the privilege of working closely with the NIL Advisory Council and GXG over the past year, and I am grateful for Mack and Jovan’s support and trust as we take this next step. Being entrusted in a dynamic and ever-changing space is a privilege I don't take lightly. I wholeheartedly embrace the challenges and opportunities that come with this position, and I am committed to making meaningful contributions to the success and advancement of Baylor’s NIL efforts.”
Kaye has hired a Director of NIL Administration to be housed under the new department, Haneen Rashwan, who will serve in a key execution role. Rashwan played an integral role in building the NIL program at Oklahoma State, serving as the assistant director of NIL for the Cowboys since August of 2022. In her final year as an undergraduate student, she was NIL Brand Squad President, where she helped the student-led organization serve and support student-athletes in their NIL efforts.
Baylor Athletics continues to closely monitor trends, needs and changes in legislation regarding NIL and this new unit will be vital to maintaining a competitive strategy.
Fans can support Baylor student-athletes and NIL efforts directly through the Baylor-focused collective, GXG. Developed by Startup Waco, GXG has been an innovative program that connects student-athletes with NIL opportunities.