Carley Thomas signs NIL deal with On Running...

University of Washington 800m school record holder Carley Thomas (Paul Merca file photo) announced on Instagram that she has signed a name, image & likeness agreement with Swiss brand On Running.

Thomas, the 2022 Pac-12 800 champ and NCAA 800m outdoor champs qualifier, lowered her school record from 2:02.02 to 1:59.95 in Lignano, Italy on July 14th, but was just short of the qualifying standard of 1:59.80 to run in her second world championship meet.

She also ran 2:37.42 for 1000 meters in Bern, Switzerland on August 4th, and was part of the Washington squad that set the collegiate record in the indoor distance medley relay on February 3rd in Boston.

Thomas is still required to wear adidas competition gear in any meets representing the University of Washington, as individual NILs do not supersede the school's equipment deals.

As is the case with all foreign NCAA student-athletes in the country on a student visa, she will receive any money in her home country of Australia, as in most cases, a student visa has strict limits on earning money while in the United States. 

In a text from an official from On, the spokesperson said that all of Thomas' marketing will be done in Australia, and not in the United States while she's attending the UW.

Thomas is the fourth Washington runner to sign with On and first on the NIL. Recent grads Kieran Lumb, Sam Ellis and Ed Trippas all signed with On over the last few months. 

Earlier in the summer, Woodinville native and NCAA steeple champion Olivia Markezich of Notre Dame signed an NIL deal with On.

NOTE: On Running contributed to this report.

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