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Kickoff Game announces 'multimillion dollar' NIL deal with Auburn before opener against Baylor
By CHARLES ODUM, Associated Press at ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports
· July 14, 2026
· 1 min read
ATLANTA (AP) — The Aflac Kickoff Game on Tuesday announced a name, image and likeness deal with Auburn leading up to the Tigers' game against Baylor on Sept. 5. The Peach Bowl and the Kickoff Game say the deal is worth “multimillion” dollars and marks the first time a neutral-site college footbal...
Key takeaway The Peach Bowl and the Kickoff Game say the deal is worth “multimillion” dollars and marks the first time a neutral-site college football game has incorporated [...
Why this matters in The McAllen
The announcement of a multimillion dollar name, image, and likeness deal with Auburn for the Aflac Kickoff Game may seem distant, but its impact could be felt in the Rio Grande Valley. As college football fans in McAllen prepare for the new season, they may be interested to know that this deal could set a precedent for future games and potentially influence the way local universities approach similar partnerships. The fact that a neutral-site game like the Aflac Kickoff Game is investing heavily in name, image, and likeness deals suggests that the college football landscape is continuing to evolve, and Valley schools may need to adapt to remain competitive. This development may also spark conversations among local athletic directors and administrators about the potential benefits and challenges of pursuing similar deals, and how they could impact the region's college football scene.
About this story
Original reporting by ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports . The McAllen surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 14, 2026 ·
Source: ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? ATLANTA (AP) — The Aflac Kickoff Game on Tuesday announced a name, image and likeness deal with Auburn leading up to the Tigers' game against Baylor on Sept. 5. The Peach Bowl and the Kickoff Game say the deal is worth “multimillion” dollars and marks the first time a neutral-site college footbal...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 14, 2026 by ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports and curated for The McAllen readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CHARLES ODUM, Associated Press at ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports. To learn more about how The McAllen selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The McAllen, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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