Why will Oklahoma State football players wear QR codes on their helmets?

It’s an exciting time as sports and technology move together promising a future of mutual benefits for both.

Thanks to advancements in technology, sports now offers fans a more enriching matchday experience, and that is what the college football team, Cowboys from Oklahoma State University (OSU), proposes with their new initiative. For the 2024 season, the team will wear QR codes on their helmets to be scanned during the Cowboy’s games.

The QR codes will measure 1.5 inches and be allocated to the back of the helmets. Although they may not be visible to fans in the stadium, camera close-ups from broadcasting and post-game social media photos will allow spectators to scan the code.

Why will Oklahoma State players wear QR codes on their helmets?

The reason is simple: to help the school’s LIN (likeness, image, and name) fund. OSU strongly believes this initiative will help them raise the team’s NIL value through the season, as they can boast of being the first team to use QR codes in their uniforms.

Once the QR code is scanned, potential donors will be redirected to Pokes with a Purpose, the collective in charge of the “Saddle Up Campaign,” which oversees NIL opportunities for OSU players. The team’s head coach, Mike Gundy, was enthusiastic about this new initiative: “This is a revolutionary step forward to help keep Oklahoma State football ahead of the game. 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 OSU QR codes initiative will make its first appearance on Sunday, 31 August, when the Cowboys kick off their 2024 season against South Dakota State, ranked No. 1 and reigning FCS national champions.