Mat Ishbia, UWM ending name, image and likeness partnership with Michigan State

The name, image and likeness deal between Michigan State athletes and alum Mat Ishbia’s United Wholesale Mortgage company is coming to an end.

In a letter sent to affected Spartan athletes, Ishbia’s purchase of the NBA’s Phoenix Suns and WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury in February was cited as the reason the partnership would be terminated at the end of the month.

“As an owner of two professional sports teams, it was asked that Mat/UWM discontinue this NIL partnership to avoid any actual or perceived conflict of interest,” read the letter, which was provided by a company spokesperson. “All student-athletes who have NIL agreements with UWM will receive compensation for social media posts through the end of June 2023.

“UWM and Mat remain dedicated to supporting Michigan State University and the athletic programs and will continue to do so within the guardrails established.”

Matt Larson, MSU’s associate athletic director for communications, said it was not the university that asked to end the partnership with the athletes.

“Michigan State athletics is deeply appreciative of Mat Ishbia’s continued support for our department and sport programs,” Larson said in a statement. “Through his gifts, he provides resources for student-athletes, including state-of-the-art facilities and a transformational Spartans for Life Fund which assists with career development and life after athletics.”

UWM agreed in September 2021 to begin providing up to $700 monthly payments to MSU football and men's basketball players to promote the lender with social media posts. A year later, it expanded to women’s volleyball. The Spartans’ women's basketball team also had an offer from UWM but instead took a separate NIL deal with MSU Federal Credit Union that continued during 2022-23 for a second straight school year.

Ishbia’s purchase of the Suns and Mercury for $4 billion was approved and finalized by NBA owners Feb. 6. The 43-year-old native of Bloomfield and 2003 MSU graduate played men’s basketball for the Spartans from 1999-2002 and was a member of Tom Izzo’s 2000 national championship team.

In February 2021, Ishbia gave a record $32 million for a significant expansion of the Spartans’ athletics facilities, including a new football facility and renaming the basketball court at Breslin Center after Izzo.

Then in November 2021, Ishbia and fellow donor Steve St. Andre agreed to provide $24 million toward football coach Mel Tucker's contract extension.

Contact Chris Solari:csolari@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @chrissolari.

Read more on the Michigan State Spartans and sign up for our Spartans newsletter.