Northwestern DL Joe Spivak Signs NIL Agreement With WWE, Joins Inaugural 'Next in Line' Program
Northwestern DL Joe Spivak was among the 15 college athletes signed to the WWE's inaugural NIL class. The group was announced on Wednesday, Dec. 8 and, according to the WWE website, includes athletes from 13 universities and four sports.
The WWE calls its deal 'Next In Line' and says the deal provides a clear pathway from college sports to the WWE. WWE superstars including Bianca Belair, Roman Reigns, and Big E were all athletes in college, and Spivak could be among the next generation of crossover superstars.
Spivak was introduced to WWE by a friend in elementary school.
"I got on board fast," Spivak said. "I can remember pretending to be John Cena and the Boogeyman in our backyards."
Once he was on campus in Evanston, Spivak began to think about WWE as a potential career.
"I started thinking, 'this could really be perfect,'" Spivak said. "I just love training and athletics and completion so much and my other love is having a mic."
Among the benefits given to athletes who sign NIL deals with the WWE is access to the WWE Performance Center as well as resources that include brand building and training in media and communications, live event promotion, creative writing and community relations.
Spivak said that he's most excited for the opportunity to network with people within the business.
"That’s what it is — a business," Spivak said. "I am approaching this as any other NU grad would approach their first big gig at a massive, global company."
At the completion of the NIL program, athletes will have the opportunity to be offered a WWE contract, according to the website.
"I’m excited to learn from everyone as much as I can so when I get an opportunity to tryout I’m ready to turn heads and let them know they have something special," Spivak said.
"I want to make it big and I know it is going to take a ton of work. But I will do it. That I know."
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