The state of Alabama has been split over its favorite tea brands now that Auburn quarterback Bo Nix announced his first endorsement deal under the open NIL landscape of college athletics. Thursday morning, just after midnight, Nix posted on his Instagram account he has entered a sponsorship agreement with Birmingham-based Milo's Tea brand.

"We are excited to support student athletes and collaborate with Bo Nix who was born and bred in Birmingham, Alabama (just like Milo’s!)," Milo's said in its own Instagram post.

Naturally, the endorsement of of Milo's from the Tigers signal caller has sparked some distrust in the tea and burger spot among Alabama's most devout personalities.

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Rest assured, the Milo's restaurant on Skyland Blvd. is still in full operation. For the record, Milo's restaurants and tea brands are technically separate entities, so don't go punishing your local business.

The connection does make sense, though, as Milo's mentioned the brand and the junior quarterback are both Birmingham products with big names in the state. Most impressive of the alliance is the swiftness with which Nix announced the partnership.

The lax on NIL rules from the NCAA as well as Alabama state law permitting the compensation of college athletes opened Thursday at midnight local time. Nix posted his endorsement deal with Milo's Tea the moment he was allowed to.

Nix isn't the only Tiger to announce NIL deals Thursday. According to 247Sports, these Auburn athletes also signed endorsements, sponsorships or other NIL deals:

  • Safety Smoke Monday signed with College Football Edits
  • Linebacker Zekoby McClain signed with Jenloop.com, a site similar to Cameo with personalized messages.
  • 12 Auburn Tigers, including small forward Devan Cambridge signed with Yoke Gaming
  • Gymnast Derrian Gobourne signed with Salute Leos, a leotard company.

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